Gary Neville fears Thomas Tuchel will have to consider taking one of his most reliable attacking players out of the firing line for England’s next World Cup match against DR Congo.
The Three Lions qualified for the knockout stages with a minimum of fuss, collecting seven points from three games and ending their Group L campaign with an ultimately routine 2-0 win against Panama.
Fitness concerns over a number of key players is, however, beginning to represent a genuine cause for concern with tougher tests ahead.
Midfield linchpin Declan Rice was rested from Saturday night’s game, while Reece James isn’t expected back until the quarter finals as England attempt to manage his hamstring strain.
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Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, started his first game of the competition against Panama having made cameo appearances off the bench in the previous meetings with Croatia and Ghana.
The Arsenal winger struggled to make an impact against limited opponents and was described as ‘arrogant and ignorant’ by former Watford striker Troy Deeney.
Saka’s form for England has mirrored the performances for his club over the course of the last few months which culminated in another subdued display in the Champions League final against PSG.
And Neville fears Saka’s condition means he cannot be risked against England’s next opponents given his long-standing Achilles issue.
‘Bukayo Saka doesn’t look right at all,’ Neville said.
‘He’s usually the boy that’s bubbling and smiling, he’s got that competitive edge to him, but he’s not right and that’s a concern to us I think.’
Those sentiments were echoed by Ian Wright, with the Arsenal legend questioning whether Saka has been ‘rushed back’ for the World Cup.
‘We’re going into a World Cup, and still not starting the first few games, only starting when we’re three games in, and still isn’t looking like the Saka that we know – this guy needs a break,’ Wright said.
Tuchel’s other options in the wide positions have hardly covered themselves in glory so far, with Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon making only limited impacts.
I can’t remember too many tournaments where you’re feeling like you’re on the edge, I feel like that’s normal,’ Wright said.
‘But there are a lot of people [in the England squad] who are not up to speed.
‘Our wingers, and the way we depend on the wingers are not doing well enough.’
Roy Keane, meanwhile, added: ‘The wingers need to grab their opportunity. These players [wingers] haven’t quite grabbed their opportunity yet.
‘In the group games, you can maybe slip up in one of them, but now at least one of them has to start turning up.’