Thomas Tuchel yet to make key final XI decision for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia
Thomas Tuchel is still to make a final decision on whether to name Bukayo Saka in England’s team against Croatia, talkSPORT understands.
The Three Lions kick off their World Cup campaign on Wednesday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Tuchel has cast doubt over Saka‘s ability to play a full 90 minutes as he continues to recover from a problematic Achilles injury.
What has been said about Saka’s injury?
Speaking ahead of England‘s final warm-up clash against Costa Rica last week, the German said: “Bukayo is still getting there, playing through discomfort at the end of the season, but obviously managing it and playing at a high level.
“But he is still not 100 per cent for us, some things are missing for Bukayo in terms of consecutive training.
“Arsenal took very good care of him and were very aware of it.
“So step-by-step, he is at the moment not able to do every training session through the week and then play.
“I didn’t say Bukayo was not ready to start. But I think it is very unlikely Bukayo starts and finishes the matches all from now on.”
But the Premier League title winner has declared he is ‘ready to go’ after praising Tuchel and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta for managing his minutes in recent weeks.
Saka, who could make his 50th England cap against Croatia, remarked: “I don’t want to say anything that goes against the manager.
“But what I would say between Mikel and Arsenal’s medical team and England’s medical team, since March, they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team.
“I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go.”
When fully fit, Saka is seen as Tuchel’s first choice, but the German is still weighing up whether to start him or Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke in Wednesday’s World Cup opener in Dallas, which is likely to prove pivotal in terms of who tops the group.
Despite battling with the Hale End graduate at both club and international level, Madueke has told talkSPORT the duo’s relationship is nothing but positive.
He stated: “Everyone talks about rivalry and stuff, but if you see us you would think that of course we’re competitors at heart for sure.
“We play in the same position for club and country. There’s that natural competition but it’s not rivalry for sure.
“We know we’re pulling in the same direction. We know we both have parts to play for club and for country.
“Whenever he’s playing I want him to do the best he can because he’s an amazing player and he’s going to help us win. I’m sure he thinks the same.”
Elsewhere sources have told talkSPORT that Jude Bellingham is set to start ahead of Morgan Rogers.
Meanwhile Anthony Gordon is likely to be preferred over Marcus Rashford after impressing in England’s 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica.
John Stones is almost certain to be given the nod at the heart of defence despite his lack of gametime at Manchester City this season.
This means that club teammate Marc Guehi will find himself on the bench with Ezri Konsa partnering Stones.
The only other big call Tuchel has to make is at left-back, where Djed Spence is pushing Nico O’Reilly all the way.
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