England manager Thomas Tuchel has decided on the wing, number 10 and centre-back players ahead of his side’s first World Cup match against Croatia.
Bukayo Saka is in a race against time to prove his suitability to Thomas Tuchel (Image: Eddie Keogh/The FA via Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka is trying to get fit ahead of England’s crucial World Cup opener against Croatia.
Arsenal winger Saka was a substitute in England’s final friendly against Costa Rica due to an ongoing problem with his Achilles tendon. England manager Thomas Tuchel revealed that Saka has been unable to train every day and is playing through a pain barrier and will need to closely monitor his fitness.
But Saka continues to work hard to prepare for what is arguably England’s toughest match in the group and could decide England’s progress. They play Croatia next Wednesday in Dallas and know a win would be huge for their progress and the battle for places will be intense.
There is no doubt that Saka will struggle to start every game, while Noni Madueke is Tuchel’s favorite and has been training really well. Madueke started against Costa Rica and could have an advantage in the opening game of the tournament. However, it will be a close battle between Saka and Madueke as the Arsenal pair battle for a starting spot in England’s opening game.
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There is growing belief among the players that Jude Bellingham will be named ahead of Morgan Rodgers in the starting XI against Croatia. It may be Tuchel’s most talked about choice, but Bellingham is in the “sweet spot” as the manager puts it, training well, looking sharp and clearly having a strong mindset.
Bellingham will be given the number 10 shirt and although both players are likely to be given minutes due to the weather, it looks more likely that the Real Madrid star will end up in pole position.
John Stones and Ezri Konsa also impressed Tuchel as the starting central defensive pair against Costa Rica and could have given them a chance too.
Marc Guehi is the favorite to start alongside him as one of the other two players, but the competition is fierce in defence, and Tuchel is a big fan of both Konsa and Stones, so it could be important to note that he has kept an eye on both of them in Costa Rica.
Mark Gehi is competing for the starting spot with Ezri Konsa and John Stones (Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Tuchel said of Saka earlier in the week: “Bukayo is not there yet. He is missing some things, like continuous training. They have taken very good care of him and we were very aware of that at Arsenal. We will do the same little by little. So, step by step, at the moment he cannot do all the training sessions throughout the week and then play. He is still going to be managed.”
“Bukayo and Arsenal decided together to let him play through the pain and discomfort, even if he couldn’t train for a week in the build-up. He played a decisive role in the second leg against Atlético Madrid, leading the team to the final and also played in the final. But as I said, he is managed in the meantime and this is our job.”
“The player and his needs and health always come first. So what we’re doing now, we’ve been monitoring him for a week off, and now we’re getting him back on the pitch.”
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