England's World Cup campaign began with a convincing victory over Croatia, but attention has quickly turned to the fitness of key players Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. Manager Thomas Tuchel provided updates on Friday, indicating that Saka is unlikely to start the next group match against Ghana due to a long-standing Achilles issue, while Rice's substitution against Croatia was largely precautionary.
Saka's chronic Achilles tendinitis requires careful management
Bukayo Saka was omitted from the starting XI against Croatia because of Achilles tendinitis, with Noni Madueke deputising on the right wing. The Arsenal winger has a history of muscular injuries, including hamstring surgery at the end of 2024 and a subsequent four-week absence early last season. He also missed three matches in January with a hip problem. His current Achilles issue forced him out of five games in April, including both Champions League quarter-final legs against Sporting CP and the Premier League clash at Manchester City. Despite concerns, he was deemed fit enough to contribute in the season run-in.
Stephen Smith, CEO and founder of Kitman Labs, an injury welfare specialist, explained that Saka's condition is chronic and must be managed rather than cured. 'It isn't about taking him out of the picture for a prolonged period and treating it, it is about managing it,' Smith told Metro. 'We know it's a chronic issue that can persist for a number of seasons that players must learn to manage, we know that from how Arsenal have managed him. It is going to be something he is carrying through the competition but it is clear from a club perspective they were able to manage that.'
Tuchel's transparent approach to Saka's fitness
Tuchel has been more open than his predecessor Mikel Arteta about Saka's condition, confirming that the winger will likely be saved for the final group match against Panama. Smith noted that England's medical staff will monitor Saka's response to training daily. 'Typically what you would see is the medical staff, physio staff and the coaches are monitoring his response to every training session, looking post-session stiffness, looking at swelling, looking at pain and how he is moving the morning after,' he said. 'If he is moving freely with no reactivity they will keep loading him. But if there's any level of pain, stiffness, discomfort, then they will monitor and manage him through that.'
Declan Rice's neural issue deemed manageable
Declan Rice was substituted after 72 minutes against Croatia, having felt discomfort in his lower back and upper hamstring. Tuchel described the move as precautionary. Rice later stated he was 'good as gold' and expected to be fit for the Ghana match. He revealed he had been nursing a 'neural issue' during the second half of last season, a term that impressed injury experts. Rice played more minutes than any other outfield Arsenal player last season, but his withdrawal was not due to fatigue.
Smith praised Rice's understanding of his condition. 'Just from hearing what Rice said, I think it is unlikely to be fatigue-related,' Smith said. 'Everything he talked about, little neurological pains, suggested he would be back out there. He obviously understands what it is, what has been going on and has been dealing with it. It is similar to with Saka – he and the team back at Arsenal have figured out a management strategy that has been working for them. I'm sure England will be doing the same thing, looking at his neural mobility, his soft tissue work around that. Rice saying it was a neural issue was incredible. It is a departure from what people would have talked about five or six years ago. He is obviously very clued up to what's been going on and really understands the issue. A player using terminology like that suggests he is very well educated on how to manage the issue and I would take huge confidence from that alone.'
England's recovery time and outlook
England have six days before their next match against Ghana on Tuesday. Marcus Rashford, who scored the winning goal against Croatia, is also being monitored after reporting muscle tightness. Tuchel suggested Saka is unlikely to start against Ghana but could feature against Panama. With both Saka and Rice expected to be available for the knockout stages, England's medical team is focused on load management and daily assessments to ensure the squad remains fit for the challenges ahead.
