England manager Thomas Tuchel has suggested that Bukayo Saka is unlikely to be handed a starting role when the Three Lions face Ghana in their second World Cup group match on Tuesday, as the winger continues to be carefully managed through a fitness concern.
Saka made a positive impact from the bench during England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia on Wednesday. Shortly after entering the match, the Arsenal forward created England’s fourth goal by setting up fellow substitute Marcus Rashford, who finished clinically to seal the win.
Despite that contribution, Tuchel indicated that England are taking a cautious approach with the 24-year-old’s condition and may delay his return to the starting line-up until later in the group stage.
Before the tournament began, the England head coach revealed that Saka would need to be managed during the opening phase of the competition because of an Achilles tendinitis issue.
Speaking ahead of the meeting with Ghana, Tuchel reiterated that view and suggested Saka’s involvement would increase gradually as the tournament progresses.
He said: “Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready. I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready.”
The comments came after Saka insisted on Monday that he felt capable of playing and was willing to take a risk with his fitness if it would help England’s World Cup campaign.
The winger has reportedly been dealing with the Achilles problem for some time. While there were concerns within Arsenal regarding the issue, the club considered him fit enough to continue playing regularly during their successful push for the league title.
It is understood that the problem has not worsened since the end of the domestic season, although Tuchel’s decision to publicly discuss the matter has brought renewed attention to Saka’s fitness.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has generally kept details regarding the player’s physical condition away from public scrutiny. However, Tuchel’s acknowledgement that Saka requires careful management during at least part of the tournament has placed the spotlight firmly on the England attacker.
While the German coach’s latest remarks indicate a desire to protect one of England’s key attacking players, they do not entirely rule out the possibility of Saka featuring from the start against Ghana should circumstances demand it.
As England assess Saka’s readiness, former England striker Ian Wright has turned attention to Ghana’s squad, praising the progress of striker Brandon Thomas-Asante and comparing his rise to that of fellow Black Stars forward Antoine Semenyo.
Wright highlighted the determination shown by both players as they climbed through the lower levels of English football before reaching the World Cup stage with Ghana.
“What I love about it is it’s the same as Semenyo. Semenyo was doing all of it. He was going through it,” Wright said.
The former Arsenal forward pointed to Thomas-Asante’s journey from trials at Salford City after leaving Milton Keynes Dons to becoming an important figure at West Bromwich Albion and later Coventry City.
His performances ultimately earned him international recognition and a place in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Wright noted that Semenyo’s development followed a similarly impressive path, progressing through Bristol City’s system before establishing himself in English football and securing a place with the Black Stars.
Both Thomas-Asante and Semenyo featured in Ghana’s opening World Cup victory over Panama and are expected to be among the players under consideration as Ghana prepare to face England in what could prove a pivotal encounter in Group L.
