Thomas Tuchel defends Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka over England withdrawal

Thomas Tuchel has insisted Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka wanted to play for England against Japan, but were ruled out by injury.

The duo were among 10 Arsenal stars to withdraw from their respective national team camps this window, with doubts being raised over the severity of the players’ fitness issues.

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Mass exodus

With the Gunners chasing a treble, including the Premier League title, some have suspected the early exits are a self-preservation move, with the season’s run-in approaching.

As well as Saka and Rice, their teammate Noni Madueke left the Three Lions’ camp after picking up a knock in their 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

Meanwhile, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard all pulled out last week after receiving call-ups.

Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi followed this up on Friday, who left the Ecuador and Spain national set-ups respectively.

While Madueke was visibly injured against Uruguay on Friday, Saka and Rice were among 11 England players who were given a few extra days off and sat out the clash.

But on Saturday night, it was announced that the latter two had left Tuchel’s squad, alongside eight other players, including Madueke.

That came after the initial announcement that England’s bumper 35-man squad would be split into two groups, with the rested players arriving after the 1-1 draw with Uruguay on Friday, ahead of Tuesday’s second friendly fixture against Japan.

Tuchel sets record straight

With speculation growing around Arsenal’s various withdrawals, Tuchel has since clarified that Rice and Saka had both been eager to play, but were ruled out after undergoing fitness tests.

On the Three Lions’ withdrawals, Tuchel told talkSPORT: “Everyone can do the maths, it’s a lot of players, of course.

“Given the situation at Arsenal, it looks a bit suspicious but I can only talk for our players. 

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“Noni [Madueke] was in camp, played, was happy to be in camp and desperate. He had an injury… he got lucky that it’s not worse, but he is out for some days and maybe some weeks. 

“But it could have been much worse, it was a proper collision and he had to go off the field, so there can be no doubt that.”

Arsenal’s recent withdrawals have drawn some criticism, including from talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor, who called on the Premier League to punish players who pull out of international duty.

But from Tuchel’s side, he insisted the risk of playing Rice and Saka was too high, especially given the stage of the season.

He explained: “Declan reported, he even went out on the pitch to try but it’s the moment of the season where I am also not willing to take any risk with him. 

“Then Arsenal need to decide for themselves how much risk they are taking.

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“I’m not willing to take this risk for my key player, I have no reason not to believe Declan, not to trust Declan, we have a very open and honest relationship. 

“I know the situation is, to be totally clear, if we had a final tomorrow, I think he would have pushed through. 

“But this is not a final, it’s a friendly match, and it’s a moment of the season where the health of the players is the highest priority, especially for a player like Declan who always gives 100 per cent and is fully committed. So, I have no reason to doubt.

“I think it’s better for him to take a break and take care of this discomfort that he has.”

Tuchel: Saka was struggling in Carabao Cup final

On Saka, Tuchel revealed the winger was still struggling, having not been fully fit in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City.

“Bukayo tried, he played with pains through the [Carabao Cup] final which we could see, that he did not have the same impact that he wished to have for his club against Man City. 

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“You can see it, he confirmed it straight away after the final, he tried treatment in the free days to get rid of it and be ready. 

“But (it’s the) same, it’s too much pain, we will not push players now with 70 per cent through a friendly match because they will be judged.

“Once you arrive on the pitch, once you play, you’re judged, and you’re judged like you’re fit. 

“He’s clearly not 100 per cent so, again, he’s a key player for me, we have an open and direct relationship, and it was clear for me that it’s better for him to rest.”