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Thomas Tuchel has decided not to gamble on Bukayo Saka's fitness by naming him in England's starting lineup for their opening World Cup clash against Croatia on Wednesday.
The Arsenal forward missed the final month of the club campaign with an Achilles tendon problem that had yet to fully heal. Saka was "playing through discomfort at the end of the season" to help the Gunners clinch the Premier League title and advance to the Champions League final, as Tuchel disclosed. "Still not at his 100%," the German manager cautioned last week. "He is the one we are building and taking care of in training."
Saka played down the seriousness of his injury—believed to have occurred during Arsenal's Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City back in March—but Tuchel was clearly unwilling to take any chances with his fitness. Noni Madueke was handed the right-wing role while Saka had to make do with a place on the bench.
England Confirmed Starting XI vs. Croatia
(4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford; Reece James, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Nico O'Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice; Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.
Substitutes: Dean Henderson (GK), James Trafford (GK), Marc Guéhi, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Jordan Henderson, Dan Burn, Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Eberechi Eze, Ivan Toney, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah.
The majority of Tuchel's starting lineup largely picked itself. Beyond Saka, the most eye-catching omission was center back Marc Guéhi, who was relegated to the bench as Ezri Konsa and John Stones were paired together at the heart of defense. The Manchester City defender had been a doubt heading into the match following reports of his own fitness issues.
Jude Bellingham unsurprisingly claimed the No. 10 role over Morgan Rogers, while Anthony Gordon edged out Marcus Rashford for another starting position after effectively hastening his departure from Barcelona.
Saka Confident of Future Involvement
Despite his evident physical struggles in recent weeks, Saka expressed confidence that he would be fit to start matches before long at this World Cup. "I am feeling a lot better than I did in March," the winger told reporters on Monday, "and I'm ready to go."
"I don't want to say anything that goes against the manager," Saka continued. "But what I would say is that between Mikel [Arteta] and Arsenal's medical team and England's medical team, since March they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team. I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go."
"As players it's the biggest gamble, especially if you're not feeling your sharpest," Saka said when addressing the question of risking his fitness. "You have the choice whether you don't play or you put yourself out there knowing people are going to judge you the same.
"At the end of the day people don't really care how you're feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform. I'm happy to take the gamble. It paid off, I'd say."