UMVA has learned that England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, is closely monitoring Bukayo Saka's fitness ahead of the World Cup, as the Arsenal winger continues to recover from an Achilles issue.
Saka, 24, rejoined his England teammates in Florida on Saturday, alongside Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze, after being granted time off following the Champions League final. However, his fitness remains a concern for Tuchel, particularly with England's warm-up friendly against Costa Rica looming on Wednesday.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Saka has only started five matches for Arsenal since withdrawing from England's March meet-up with an Achilles injury. Tuchel emphasized the need for caution with Saka, stating that the player is still building up his fitness and requires careful management.
Tuchel revealed that Saka and Arsenal had decided to let him play through his pain and discomfort, rather than risking further injury. The manager assured that Saka is available for the upcoming friendly, but his playing time will be carefully managed to ensure he reaches peak fitness.
In contrast, Tuchel confirmed that Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, and Eberechi Eze are all 100% fit and available for selection. Rice, England's vice-captain, expressed his pride and confidence in the team's spirit and shape, following their challenging Champions League final defeat to PSG.
Tuchel praised his players for their resilience in overcoming a difficult period and securing the Premier League title. He believes they are in a strong mental state, having gone toe-to-toe with one of the world's top teams and pushing them to a penalty shootout.
As England prepares for the World Cup, Tuchel's careful management of Saka's fitness will be crucial in ensuring the team's success. With the tournament fast approaching, Tuchel must balance his squad's needs with the demands of the competition.
Tuchel's comments suggest that he is prioritizing Saka's long-term fitness over short-term gains, which could pay off in the long run. By managing Saka's minutes and workload, Tuchel aims to have him fully fit and ready for the World Cup.
