Tite names the Arsenal star he would love to be able to select for Brazil
Posted by  badge Boss on May 25, 2022 - 01:00AM
Tite is hoping to mastermind Brazil’s first World Cup triumph since 2002 in Qatar later this year (Picture: Getty)

head coach Tite has heaped praise on and would love to be able to select the star as part of his squad.

The Selecao will head to Qatar later this year as one of the pre-tournament favourites and boast a formidable squad, packed with Premier League talent.

Tite, who has been in charge of Brazil since 2016, has regularly picked Arsenal defender and precocious forward Gabriel Martinelli over the course of the last 12 months but, if his nationality wasn’t an issue, Saka would also be firmly on his radar.

Bukayo Saka enjoyed a stellar season for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

When asked which England player he would cap for his team if possible, Tite told : ‘I would go with [Arsenal’s Bukayo] Saka, who finished this Premier League season with 11 goals.

‘I have a soft spot for fast, skinny legs. And he is the kind of player that you can never control.

‘You may well try to pressure him, chase him wherever he goes, but you’ll never fully control his actions.’

Saka is expected to be named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of next month’s Nations League matches against Hungary, Italy and Germany.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, however, is seeking talks with Three Lions’ boss Gareth Southgate amid fears the 20-year-old is in danger of suffering burnout.

The Hale End Academy graduate featured in all 38 Premier League games last season, on the back of playing a starring role during England’s run to the final of Euro 2020.

Saka, meanwhile, is attracting admiring glances from a number of Arsenal’s rivals who could look to tempt the winger with the lure of Champions League football.

The Gunners missed out on a top four place after a late season collapse and talks over a new deal at Arsenal are yet to be concluded, with the player’s agent requesting that a release clause be inserted in any potential contract extension.

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