Thomas Tuchel admits England 'desperately need Bukayo Saka in top shape', hints winger could start against Panama at 2026 FIFA World Cup

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England manager Thomas Tuchel has said that he needs Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka "desperately in top shape" at the 2026 FIFA World Cup before Saturday's Group L final fixture with Panama in New Jersey.

England will 'see where we could have been better' - Bellingham, Tuchel react to Ghana draw

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Saka was a bright spark coming off the bench on a frustrating night for The Three Lions as they were held to a goalless draw with Ghana in Boston on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old was a second-half substitute in each of the two opening matches and he grabbed an assist for Marcus Rashford's fourth goal against Croatia.

Saka has been managing an Achilles injury but Tuchel has suggested he may be fit to start against Panama as England look to secure top spot in the pool.

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”He seems to be more and more ready, and will hopefully push, and then we will see what is coming,” Tuchel said.

”He’s getting there, and there’s more and more training sessions, so he needs to have more sessions now. Two sessions to be ready for Panama.

"It’s not only about Bukayo but it was good he got some minutes under his belt. Hopefully there is no reaction and he is good to go.”

Tuchel was asked if Saka is the big‑game player England are missing after the flat performance against Ghana, in which The Three Lions took 57 minutes to register their first shot on target.

”We need it from everyone,” the head coach said. ”I’m not engaging in that. It’s not like Bukayo comes back and everything is solved, and I don’t want to put this on his back.

"He is a top player, that’s why he is with us. We need him desperately, like every other player, in top shape, and pushing. But everyone is doing their best, and it’s not the moment to shout for individual names to help us out. We’re in a good place, still.”

England top Group L on goal difference, with both sides on four points and level on head‑to‑head after their 0-0 draw. However, Tuchel is still prepared to rotate his squad, with Nico O'Reilly tipped to return to left back instead of Djed Spence.

"I'm still not shy to do some rotation now if we think some players should be on the pitch, but maybe more moderate than before now, because otherwise it is maybe not fair if you throw 10 new players in and say, 'Go and perform.'

"I like, for example, the centre-backs [against Ghana]. They were good together. I like Elliot Anderson, he had a step forward and a good performance, maybe a bit better than against Croatia.

”We created half-chances, we created deliveries and set plays but couldn’t score from it to change the characteristics of the game. I know it’s not an easy watch. Maybe I watch it differently from the sideline as a coach. I know what we wanted and what we had to take care of.”

Tuchel will be aware that England need to improve if they are to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966, but he is far from panicking at this early stage of the tournament.

He said: ”There is a long way to go and no one has won a World Cup with four goals per match and going for it. We always want to go for it and our responsibility is to bring everything to the table. We tried and tried but it’s difficult sometimes and there is no need to feel negative.”

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