Thomas Tuchel admits Bukayo Saka was fit to play in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina but says he preferred to play Morgan Rogers instead.
England ended their World Cup campaign with a bronze medal following a thrilling 6-4 victory over France in Miami on Saturday.
Saka was the star of the show as he scored a hat-trick but after going four ahead by half-time, England had to survive a huge scare in the second half as France threatened a comeback by scoring three without reply.
Tuchel has faced scrutiny in the wake of England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina, particularly over his defensive substitutions in the second half after Anthony Gordon had put the Three Lions a goal ahead.
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Saka, who has been nursing an Achilles problem throughout the World Cup, was surprisingly left on the bench for the entire game against Argentina, despite England needing a refresh in attack in the second half.
The Arsenal winger started just three of England’s eight games at the World Cup and after the victory over France, Tuchel was asked why he had not given the 24-year-old a more prominent role during the tournament.
‘He did everything right,’ Tuchel said of Saka.
‘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 goal-scorers, but well-deserved credit.’
Saka, meanwhile, was asked whether he would have liked to have been given a bigger role for England at the World Cup.
‘Of course I would love to have played more but it’s too late to talk about that. I try to do my talking on the pitch and it’s done now, move on,’ Saka said.
When asked about concerned over his injury, Saka replied: ‘I’m fit.’
Tuchel also admitted he was concerned with the ‘physical demands’ of the third-place game against France as Didier Deschamps’ side had an extra day to recover.
‘We had a brilliant first half and then a turbulent second half,’ Tuchel said.
‘You could see the difference of what one day makes and the difference in the schedule. We are so, so tired and drained from the last weeks.
‘So a massive compliment and full respect, the mentality that we showed. Going through all the adversity is absolutely brilliant.
‘I was afraid of the physical demands of the match. We know the quality and speed of France, and they have much less schedule for them. It was less demanding.
‘They had one more day in-between the semi-final to digest, and they had way less travel distances than us.
‘We played in the heat, at altitude. I was worried physically. You could see it in the second half, the cramps and all the tiredness, but I was never worried about the mentality.
‘I have said it before, this team has created something very special, and they showed it again.’
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