IT'S SAKSY FOOTBALL

Bukayo provides the bullets as Gunner shows his star quality

- ANDY DUNN

AFTER Jude Bellingham had introduced himself to Euro 2024 with typical Bellingham timing, Harry Kane made a beeline for Bukayo Saka.

It was a captain's gesture making sure the provider got the same sort of credit as the man who was knee-sliding towards the cameras.

And it was recognition for the player whose contribution to Gareth Southgate's overall body of work can sometimes be underestimated.

Ahead of this opening match, when Southgate's attacking permutations were being discussed, the odd pundit had suggested starting line-ups that did not include Saka.

That was never going to happen. Away from the Arsenal attacker's club manager and colleagues, no one values the Gunner's effectiveness more highly than the England manager does.

It is an honour that he has never shouted about from the rooftops but, in case you didn't know, Saka has been England's official Player of the Year for the past two seasons.

And both times, that honour was well deserved.

In his 24 starts for England, Saka now has 27 goal contributions, rarely failing to make an impact.