Gary Neville has expressed concern about Bukayo Saka’s form ahead of England’s World Cup this summer. The Arsenal star has had fitness concerns since the end of last season and his minutes have been closely monitored since joining the Three Lions squad earlier this month.
Arsenal kept an eye on his Achilles tendon problem in the final week of the season, with the 24-year-old limited to substitute appearances in England’s World Cup openers against Croatia and Ghana.
On Saturday night, Saka was handed a starting role in the Three Lions’ game against Panama by manager Thomas Tuchel. The forward retired in the 63rd minute, shortly after Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock.
But Neville explained what was wrong with Saka’s performance against Panama, with co-host and Arsenal legend Ian Wright raising concerns about the Gunners star’s fitness.
“He’s usually an energetic, smiling kid, competitive, but he’s not right and I think that’s a concern for us.”
Arsenal icon Wright spoke at length about his concerns over Saka’s suitability for England at the World Cup.
Wright said: “Was Bukayo Saka rushing back? We’re heading into the World Cup and he hasn’t started the first few games yet.
“He’s only started after three games, but he still doesn’t look like the Saka we know. This player needs rest.”
Tuchel has already been forced to battle injury concerns at the World Cup after Tino Livramento was left out of the squad ahead of the opening game.
Reece James is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, with the right-back missing the win over Panama at the weekend.
England, who topped Group L, will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Round of 32 in Atlanta on Tuesday night. A win will secure a place in the last 16, where they will face either Mexico or Ecuador in Mexico City on Sunday night.
Canada became the first country to reach the last 16 with a dramatic last-minute victory over South Africa in a round-of-32 tie on Sunday night.
