Bukayo Saka is prepared to help England win the FIFA World Cup, as the Arsenal winger has played down concerns over his fitness ahead of the Three Lions’ World Cup opener against Croatia.
The 24-year-old has been hampered by an Achilles issue since March, restricting him to just five starts during Arsenal’s run-in, completing 90 minutes on just one occasion.
England boss Thomas Tuchel also gave an update about his fitness last week, noting that the medical staff needs to take care of him — amid fears he was unable to start and finish a game.
Saka played just 27 minutes of England’s final warm-up game against Costa Rica but speaking at England’s training base in Kansas City on Monday, the winger politely rejected Tuchel’s suggestion he may not be fully fit.
Bukayo Saka is prepared to shine at the World Cup. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
“I don’t want to say anything that goes against the manager,” Saka said. “What I would say, between Mikel [Arteta], the Arsenal medical team, Thomas [Tuchel] and the England medical team, since March they’ve managed me amazingly. Helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team.
“I’m feeling better than I’ve felt in the last few months and I’m ready to go.”
Asked if wasn’t quite 100% yet, he repeated: “I’m ready to go.”
Discussing the challenges of playing when short of full fitness, Saka continued: “As players, it’s the biggest gamble, especially if you’re not feeling your sharpest.
“You have the choice whether you don’t play or you put yourself out there knowing people are going to judge you the same.
“At the end of the day, people don’t really care how you’re feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform. I’m happy to take the gamble. It paid off, I’d say. I’m going to continue doing that.
Tuchel has selected both Saka and his Arsenal teammate Noni Madueke to compete for a place on England’s right flank, with their Group L campaign set to get underway in Dallas on Wednesday.
