Concerns have been voiced regarding Bukayo Saka’s fitness and his role within the England World Cup squad. Pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville have questioned the Arsenal forward’s current condition and readiness for the tournament.
Keane suggested that Saka should not be part of the squad if he is not performing at his peak. Neville, on the other hand, stated that the England winger “doesn’t look right at all.”
Saka has reportedly been dealing with an Achilles issue for several months, an ailment that affected him during the latter part of the domestic season. This ongoing concern has limited his participation in the World Cup thus far. He has started only one match, playing 63 minutes in the 2-0 victory against Panama.
Keane commented on Saka’s appearance, noting, “He doesn’t look sharp. Physically is he trusting his body? If he’s having all these issues and you’re looking at the bigger picture then he shouldn’t be here, should he?” He added that if a player knows they are not at their sharpest, they might avoid their natural game.
Apart from his start against Panama, Saka has been used as a substitute. He featured for 18 minutes in the opening win against Croatia and for 25 minutes in the draw with Ghana.
Both Neville and former Arsenal striker Ian Wright believe that a role from the bench might be the most suitable option for Saka as England progresses into the knockout stages.
Neville expressed his concern, stating, “He doesn’t look right at all. It’s a concern when you say your number one right-winger has to be rested and come on.” He drew parallels to past tournaments where players like Wayne Rooney and David Beckham were not fully fit, emphasising that fitness cannot be gained during a tournament.
Wright echoed these sentiments, suggesting that a substitute role might be appropriate for Saka at this time. He also voiced worry for Saka, questioning when the player would receive the rest he appears to need, especially with the domestic season resuming after the World Cup.
Neville also observed that Saka, who is typically energetic and competitive, seems off, which he considers a concern. Wright further questioned if Saka had been “rushed back” for the World Cup, noting that he is not starting games and does not resemble his usual self.
Adding to England’s challenges, the right-back position has been affected by a series of injuries. Following Tino Livramento’s withdrawal, both Reece James and his replacement, Jarell Quansah, who is primarily a central defender, have sustained knocks.
This situation has reignited discussions surrounding Thomas Tuchel’s decision not to include Real Madrid’s specialist right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in the squad.
Neville criticised the selection strategy, remarking, “I thought to myself, how have we got to a situation – and it can’t be what Thomas Tuchel planned – where he picked two players who are injury prone (Reece James and Tino Livramento), they have not been robust.” He questioned how England could be in a position where Quansah is playing right-back, and why there was no place for Alexander-Arnold in the squad, even for matches against teams like Ghana or Panama.
Keane described the decision regarding Alexander-Arnold as a “head scratcher.”
England secured qualification for the knockout stages by collecting seven points from three games, concluding their Group L campaign with a 2-0 win against Panama.
However, fitness concerns over several key players are becoming a significant worry as the tournament progresses to tougher challenges. Midfielder Declan Rice was rested from the game against Panama, and Reece James is not expected to return until the quarter-finals as England manages his hamstring strain.
Keane also commented on the performance of the wingers in the squad, stating, “The wingers need to grab their opportunity. These players [wingers] haven’t quite grabbed their opportunity yet.”
Wright noted that other wide options, such as Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Gordon, have made limited impact so far. He also mentioned that many players in the squad are not performing at the required speed.
England qualified for the knockout stages with a 2-0 victory over Panama.
Read Also
- Ben Stokes retires from international cricket, prompting calls for leadership changes
- Barcelona reportedly opens talks for Harry Kane transfer amid World Cup focus
- Ben Stokes retires from international cricket, leadership changes anticipated
- Wimbledon Prize Money Reaches Record Highs for 2026 Championships
Source: independent.co.uk
