Tuchel gives update on Saka’s fitness ahead of World Cup | OneFootball

England boss Thomas Tuchel says Bukayo Saka’s fitness is being carefully managed with the start of the World Cup just around the corner.

Saka, along with Arsenal team-mates Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Ebere Eze, have linked up with England’s World Cup squad for the pre-tournament friendly against Costa Rica on Wednesday after being given extra time off following the Champions League final.

But Tuchel says Saka’s fitness is still a concern, with the winger having struggled with an Achilles problem this season.

“We still have to take care a little bit with Bukayo who had an injury in the March camp and carried it through to his club campaign,” Tuchel explained.

“He was available and made himself available at the end of the season and did brilliantly, but he was managed in between matches and that continues a little bit at the moment. We’re building him up.

“Noni (Madueke) is 100% available, Declan (Rice) is 100% available, and Ebere (Eze) as well.

“Everyone was involved in training, including Bukayo. Everyone made themselves available so we have full choice and we need to take the decisions who actually starts and how many minutes we will give to the players.

“They (the Arsenal players) came in very good spirits and very good shape. I feel they are proud, confident, and they know what they did, what it took them to win the title, to have a little period where it was suddenly in doubt, and they overcame it and managed to win the title.

“It meant a lot to them and I think they have a clear understanding that they went toe to toe with the best team in the world at the moment in Paris, and they had them, and just lost in a penalty shoot out so they came in best spirits and I’m happy for that.”

If you enjoy our articles, help us out by making Hayters.com one of your preferred sources on Google by clicking here. 

Tuchel has also urged his squad to take the “next step” in the friendly against Costa Rica, ahead of their opening game of the World Cup against Croatia a week later.

“No one needs a break, everyone is available,” the England boss said. “That’s very good news.

“No complaints after the first match. One day for recovery, two good training sessions yesterday and today, and ready to give it a push tomorrow.

“That means more than 45 minutes. Players will play 60, maybe some 70. This decision is not made yet. We will make this decision in the afternoon.

“But that’s the plan. We have the chance to load the players one day later in a match behind closed doors in our training facility and then pre-camp is finished and we start our adventure two days later.

“We expect a push tomorrow physically, for intensity, and also style of play in terms of ball speed and everything. We want to take the next step and we feel ready for it.”