Bukayo Saka is unlikely to be able to start in England’s first group-stage game against Croatia as Thomas Tuchel carefully manages the Arsenal attacker.
Saka has had his fair share of injury struggles over the last 12 months and does not arrive at the World Cup in his best condition.
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Thomas Tuchel made the controversial decision not to pick Cole Palmer and instead select Noni Madueke, knowing that Saka would not be fully fit.
Now, ahead of the first World Cup match against Croatia on Wednesday, the Three Lions are having to be really cautious with the right winger.
Bukayo Saka is unable to start and finish games for England
Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka is being carefully managed by England right now and will be unable to start and finish games, according to Rob Dorsett.
The attacker suffered an Achilles injury back in March and had to really push himself to finish the season at Arsenal.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Dorsett said: “For Saka, Tuchel has told us, where he is right now in terms of fitness, with this Achilles problem he’s been managing for Arsenal towards the back end of the season, means he cannot start and finish matches right now.
“They’re going to have to treat him very, very carefully. Probably throughout the group stages, so it will be really interesting to see whether he actually starts the game against Croatia on Wednesday or whether it’s maybe Noni Madueke who gets the nod, his Arsenal teammate, on that right wing.”
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Of course, for the Gunners, it was worth pushing the 24-year-old as they won the Premier League, but in the Champions League final, his performance showed he was struggling.
The Arsenal attacker is now a real worry for the Three Lions, as despite being such a key player, it’s unlikely that he will get much game time in the group stages.
England will also need to carefully manage Declan Rice
England will also need to carefully manage Declan Rice, who was having injections to solve issues he was having in his back.
“Remember, Declan Rice has been struggling with a bit of a back problem as well; he’s been nursing that through the back end of Arsenal’s season with injections,” added the Sky Sports journalist.
“Bukayo Saka has been managing his workload as well for Arsenal; it looks like Arsenal are going to have to do exactly the same with him now.”
Saka and Rice really pushed themselves for Arsenal last season and could now pay the price for it at the World Cup.
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