Bukayo Saka only started one of England’s group games due to an ongoing Achilles issue
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Concerns are mounting over Bukayo Saka’s fitness at the World Cup, with pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville questioning the Arsenal forward’s readiness for the tournament.
Keane has suggested Saka should not be in the squad if he is not operating at 100 per cent, while Neville claims the England winger "doesn’t look right at all".
Saka has been grappling with an Achilles problem for several months, an issue that hampered him during the latter stages of the domestic season. This ongoing concern has limited his involvement in the World Cup so far, with the attacker starting only one match – playing 63 minutes in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Panama.
"He doesn’t look sharp. Physically is he trusting his body? If he’s having all these issues and you’re looking at the bigger picture then he shouldn’t be here, should he?" Keane told the Stick to Football podcast.
Pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville raised concerns over Bukayo Saka (John Walton/PA)
Pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville raised concerns over Bukayo Saka (John Walton/PA) (PA Archive)
"He should be resting. If you know in your head you’re not your sharpest you’ll stop taking people on and stop playing your natural game."
The 24-year-old has otherwise been restricted to substitute appearances, featuring for 18 minutes in the opening win against Croatia and 25 minutes in the goalless draw with Ghana.
Both Neville and former Arsenal striker Ian Wright believe a role from the bench is the only viable option for Saka as England progresses into the knockout stages.
"He doesn’t look right at all. It’s a concern when you say your number one right-winger has to be rested and come on," Neville stated.
"It’s a big concern for me he’s in this position. (Wayne) Rooney came to a tournament and was not quite right, (David) Beckham came to a tournament and wasn’t quite right. You can’t get your fitness in a tournament, this is not pre-season training. I do think he is going to have to be a sub player and he’s going to have to come off the bench."
Wright echoed these sentiments, adding: "Maybe at the moment that might be a role for him. I’m worried for him. He’s trying to play through this World Cup, but then the season starts again so when is this guy going to get the rest he, for me, looks like he needs."
Adding to England’s woes, a succession of injuries has plagued the right-back position. After Tino Livramento was forced to withdraw, both Reece James and his replacement, Jarell Quansah – primarily a central defender – have picked up knocks.
This situation has reignited debate over Thomas Tuchel’s decision not to include Real Madrid’s specialist right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in the squad.
Neville criticised the selection strategy, saying: "I thought to myself, how have we got to a situation – and it can’t be what Thomas Tuchel planned – where he picked two players who are injury prone (Reece James and Tino Livramento), they have not been robust.
“We have not got a situation where Jarell Quansah is playing right-back. How can we not have a place in the squad of 26 for TAA, even against a Ghana or a Panama?"
Keane succinctly described the decision as a "head scratcher".