Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Bukayo Saka is unlikely to start for England in their next World Cup match against Ghana on Tuesday night.
The Arsenal forward was an injury doubt for the 4-2 win over Croatia, but came on in the second half and laid on the assist for Marcus Rashford to score.
Saka’s club teammate Noni Madueke got the nod to start on the right wing and delivered an impressive performance and will now be the most obvious choice up front in Tuesday’s clash.
Speaking in an interview, Tuchel revealed that no risk will be taken with more important games to come as the tournament progresses.
“Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready,” Tuchel said.
“Once we get to the last game in the group it is the moment. He was strong yesterday [Tuesday] in training in small spaces. It’s just a matter of if the game is open and up and down.”
England sealed an impressive 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening game to sit top of their group with maximum points.
Harry Kane (2), Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were on the scoresheet as the Three Lions recorded a convincing performance in their first match at a major event under Tuchel.
“All four of them, the wingers. The level they are competing at was the highest level, especially in the last week. We had some 10-against-10s in training and some finishing patterns and attacking patterns and defensive patterns. Everybody is on in such a respectful way, and we had some difficult decisions to make”, Tuchel added.
“But they know that we will need them and the time will come where they will start, and the time will come where they can finish and be decisive from the bench, any time. It is now four more weeks. So in four weeks, you can swallow it and digest it and buy into it. We selected the group because we know they can do it.”
England face Ghana on Tuesday and will conclude their campaign in the group stage when they Panama on June 27.
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