Bukayo Saka showed his worth by scoring a hat-trick in England's barnstorming 6-4 win against France to finish third at the World Cup, having started neither of their previous two matches
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 18: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of England, speaks to the media during the post match press conference after the team's victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel revealed his thinking behind not using Bukayo Saka more(Image: Carmen Mandato - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Thomas Tuchel has explained why Bukayo Saka was given a reduced role at the World Cup after the England star admitted that he wanted to play more. Arsenal star Saka scored a hat-trick in Saturday's third-place play-off against France, as the Three Lions ran out 6-4 winners following one of the wildest games in World Cup history.
The winger became only the fourth male England player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup, matching the achievements of Sir Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker and Harry Kane. But after coming into the tournament with an Achillies injury, Saka started just one of England's four knockout matches prior to beating France, and wasn't given a single minute in their late semi-final loss against Argentina.
Post-match, Tuchel was asked why he didn't hand the 24-year-old a more prominent role. "He did everything right," the England manager acknowledged. "I just had the feeling in the semi-final for Morgan Rogers that he would be involved in something special, and that was it.
"And then the game in itself demands so much, you're forced into changes because of cramps and the flow of the game so Bukayo showed he was a key player, it was never a doubt. I was not even aware he had a hat-trick, I lost the overview of all the goalscorers, but well-deserved credit."
Tuchel went on to say: "He was excellent, Bukayo is a key player for me. He was ready to go in the World Cup, I felt still the responsibility as a coach, and with the history given where he came from to take it slow with Bukayo.
"He started quite some matches, it was a tough decision for me to leave him out of the semi-final. I had a feeling after the Norway match that Morgan Rogers had something special to give to us with his physicality and his body in the match against Argentina.
"We had him warm up several times against Argentina, we were ready to change but the game became so crazy that in the end we opted for a different option.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JULY 18: Bukayo Saka #7 of England celebrates after scoring his team's fifth and hat trick goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka made history with his hat-trick(Image: Luke Hales/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
"But nothing has changed during this World Cup for me, Bukayo is a fantastic teammate, a fantastic football player, a key player for us, that will not change, he showed it again today, I'm happy for him and happy for us, he's excellent."
Saka, meanwhile, made it clear that he was disappointed with his lack of action, having declared that he was fit. "Of course I would love to have played more but it's too late to talk about that," he admitted. "I try to do my talking on the pitch and it's done now, move on."