Saka’s fitness under scrutiny
England forward Bukayo Saka is reportedly a cause for concern regarding his fitness as the World Cup progresses. Former England defender Gary Neville has expressed worries about the Arsenal star’s physical condition, noting that he “doesn’t look right at all.” Neville observed that Saka, typically a lively and competitive player, appears subdued, which he believes is a concern for the team.
Saka has been managing a persistent Achilles problem, an injury that has required close monitoring by the Football Association throughout the tournament in North America. Despite these concerns, Saka featured in all three group matches, though his playing time was carefully managed by manager Thomas Tuchel, with most appearances coming from the bench.
According to reports, Saka has been playing with a chronic Achilles tendon injury for some time. This has led England head coach Thomas Tuchel to use him cautiously in the group stage. While Saka participated in every game, his minutes were strictly limited, and he was primarily introduced as a substitute.
Pundits question Saka’s tournament involvement
Ian Wright, a former Arsenal player, echoed Neville’s sentiments, questioning whether bringing Saka to the tournament was a wise decision. Wright suggested that Saka appears physically exhausted following a demanding Premier League season. Despite Saka’s previous statements about being willing to “gamble” with his fitness, his movements on the pitch are said to lack their usual intensity.
Wright highlighted that Saka has not been starting the initial games and, even when he did start the third group match, he did not resemble his usual self. He believes the player needs a break. The medical teams of both Arsenal and the England national team are closely monitoring Saka’s condition, with the climate in North America and long-distance travel adding to the challenges for his recovery.
The effectiveness of England‘s wingers has also been a topic of discussion. While players like Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke have been given opportunities, they have not consistently provided the same level of threat that Saka typically offers. This has left the team more reliant on the individual contributions of Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane in attack.
Wingers urged to seize opportunities
Roy Keane has also criticised the performance of the wingers ahead of the knockout stage. He stated that while mistakes in group games might be forgivable, in decisive matches, the wingers must capitalise on their chances. Keane suggested that if the wingers do not improve their performance, England‘s early exit from the tournament would not be surprising.
England secured qualification for the knockout stages by collecting seven points from three games, concluding their Group L campaign with a 2-0 victory against Panama. However, fitness concerns among several key players are becoming a significant worry as the team prepares for tougher challenges ahead. Midfield player Declan Rice was rested from the game against Panama, and Reece James is not expected to return until the quarter-finals as he manages a hamstring strain.
Saka made his first start of the competition against Panama, having previously made cameo appearances off the bench in matches against Croatia and Ghana. However, he reportedly struggled to make an impact against the limited opposition. Neville’s concerns about Saka’s condition suggest he should not be risked in England‘s upcoming match against DR Congo.
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Source: metro.co.uk
Leo Ashworth is a Sports News Writer at Latest News UK. He cut his teeth on regional sport before specialising in fast breaking-news writing. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Newcastle, he follows the European Tour and boxes at an amateur gym. “Get it right first, then tell readers why it matters.”