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Graeme Le Saux has offered his thoughts on England’s full-back options at the World Cup this summer, backing Leighton Baines to start ahead of Luke Shaw and believing that James Milner is not ready to be considered a regular option at right-back.
Le Saux spent his career as a left-back, with Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton all beneficiaries of his talents and he is of the opinion that Baines’ season at Everton gives him the edge over rookie Shaw, who has been heavily linked with a move from Southampton to Manchester United in the close season.
Le Saux told Sky Sports, “Luke is at the beginning of his career path, has had a great season with Southampton and fully justifies his place in Roy Hodgson’s squad.
“As a left-back myself, I have confidence in his ability defensively, but also creatively – he has great pace and fantastic energy – so I have no doubts about him.
“But I think it’s safe to say that Leighton Baines, given the season he’s had, is the first choice left-back.”
James Milner is set to line-up at right-back in tonight’s friendly against Ecuador and while Le Saux believes he will make adequate back-up, Glen Johnson should have nothing to fear in terms of his place in the starting line-up.
“Glen Johnson has been fantastic all season for Liverpool, with his creativity going forward, but there’s always going to be questions about him defensively.
“But I think modern full-backs are more exposed than they used to be. When I played we had a bit more cover, because of the way teams were set up.
“But if James Milner, a wide midfielder dropping back plays, he’s going to have to be a lot more wary of what is going on behind him and runs coming from wide areas behind him, because that’s not something he has to worry about too much as a midfielder.
“So it’s going to be a very fast learning curve for him, but if he’s successful, it gives another option for Roy.
“And, of course, James’ physique is better than somebody like Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, who are bigger and less mobile.”
