‘The competition is on’ – Tuchel says Saka must fight to keep his England place | OneFootball

Thomas Tuchel was full of praise for Bukayo Saka’s England return but warns he still faces a fight to keep his place given Noni Madueke’s form prior to his injury.

Saka’s injury struggles have frequently kept him out of the England squad of late but he returned to the team with a goal in the 3-0 win over Wales.

Madueke had impressed for England, and Arsenal, on the right-hand side in club team-mate Saka’s absence.

And Tuchel is pleased with the headache both will hopefully provide him when Madueke returns to fitness.

“Good, that’s what we want,” he said on Saka’s performance.

“Noni is unfortunately injured. Noni was excellent in the last camp, he was electric.

“He then continued to play for his club while Bukayo was out for Arsenal in the same manner. We were very, very sad that he is now injured but Bukayo stepped up. He had to step up also.

“It was the first camp where he came without an injury and it’s necessary.

“Like I said, the competition is on and Bukayo had a good performance like everyone else and showed what he is capable of.

“I still think there is a step to go for Bukayo to regain his rhythm, naturally after one or two injuries now, to regain his rhythm and his stamina, and then he is important, a very important player for us and he will fight for his place because that is what he does.

“He played many, many years for Arsenal at the highest level and this is what we demand of him for England. He’s ready to do that with what he showed today.”

Saka became Arsenal’s highest goalscorer for England with his 13th for his country but Tuchel joked he expected more from the 24-year-old.

“It has to be more! It’s not enough,” Tuchel said.

“He needs to keep on going. I thought it’s 30 at least, then I (still) would have said it’s not enough because I’m never satisfied.

“He is such a threat for Arsenal in the most difficult league in the world so why would he not be at international level?

“We have the position for him, he has the attitude, the stamina, the talent. He has everything to be a top player at the international level and that’s what he has to show.

“We can just encourage him to be influential. That’s what he was today and next game he has to try to repeat that.”