Micky van de Ven names 2 Netherlands players who can ‘handle’ Bukayo Saka ahead of England Euro 2024 clash

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven believes his Netherlands teammates Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake can ably handle Bukayo Saka. England are set to face the Dutch in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on Wednesday (July 10).

Saka has had a wonderful campaign with Arsenal in the Premier League and has kept going with The Three Lions in the European Championships. Despite the rest of his squad not living up to expectations, the Gunners man has been among the standouts in Gareth Southgate's team.

During England's quarter-final against Switzerland, it was Saka who netted his team's 80th-minute equalizer from a left-footed effort outside the box. With the 22-year-old proving to be menacing just at the right time for his country, the Dutch defenders on the left-hand side should be wary.

More so for Ake because the Manchester City defender occupies the left-back space where Saka will be operating. Van de Ven, who has come across the Arsenal man while appearing for Spurs in the Premier League, is confident that his teammates can do a job on the attacker.

He said (via @eurofootcom):

"Saka is a good player with pace, but Van Dijk and Ake have a lot of pace too and I am sure they can handle him."

To date, Saka has played 38 matches across competitions for England, bagging 12 goals and six assists. He will be expected to start on the right wing for his country in the semi-final of Euro 2024.

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Micah Richards points out why Bukayo Saka starts ahead of Cole Palmer for England

Cole Palmer

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards is of the opinion that Bukayo Saka starts ahead of Cole Palmer on England's right for the former's goalscoring abilities.

With rumors suggesting that Saka could be used as a left-back, several fans were calling for Palmer to start on the flank. Addressing this, Richards told The Rest is Football podcast (via Metro):

"I think in terms of goalscoring after Kane, Bukayo Saka is the most important. He does make an impact, and it's not just what he does on the ball, it's his strength as well as his defensive ability. I think that's why Southgate trusts him so much."

On the flip side, Palmer has enjoyed a very good season with Chelsea that saw him bag 27 goals and 15 assists in 48 matches across competitions. He's only played 115 minutes of football at Euro 2024.