Tuchel: Saka’s Injury Recovery Key for England’s World Cup Performance
Bukayo Saka’s Injury and Its Impact on England’s World Cup Hopes
Current Status of Saka’s Injury
June 10 (Reuters) - Bukayo Saka is still recovering from an Achilles injury and needs to be carefully managed ahead of the World Cup, England manager Thomas Tuchel said.
The 24-year-old forward sustained the injury in March, but played through the discomfort to feature for his club Arsenal towards the end of the season to help them secure their first Premier League title in more than two decades.
Saka’s Role in Arsenal’s Success
Saka also appeared in the Champions League final against Paris St Germain, which Arsenal lost on penalties.
Tuchel’s Approach to Saka’s Recovery
Managing Training and Fitness
"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 still not at 100%. He is the one we are building and taking care of in training," Tuchel told reporters on Tuesday.
Arsenal’s Care and Decision-Making
"Some things are missing... consecutive trainings. They (Arsenal) took very good care of him and were very aware of it... and we will do a little bit the same.
"They brought him back against Fulham when the season and title was on the line, and he was straight away decisive.
"And then they decided together, Bukayo and Arsenal, to let him play through his pain and discomfort, even if it was not possible to train the whole week in the build-ups."
Implications for England’s World Cup Campaign
Saka’s International Experience
Saka's fitness could be key for England's World Cup ambitions. He played in the 2020 and 2024 European championships and scored three goals in four appearances at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
England’s Upcoming Fixtures
England kick off their campaign on June 17 in Dallas with a repeat of their 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia.
(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in BengaluruEditing by Ed Davies)
