Bukayo Saka Declares Full Fitness for World Cup Amid Coach's Concerns

England winger Bukayo Saka has insisted he is "ready to go" for the World Cup, despite recent comments from England boss Thomas Tuchel regarding his fitness.

Last Wednesday, Tuchel claimed that Saka was "still not 100 per cent" and stated that "some things are missing for Bukayo in terms of consecutive training." He suggested it was "very unlikely" the Arsenal player would both start and finish matches at the tournament, although he clarified he had not said Saka was not ready to start.

In response on Monday, Saka stated that the medical teams at Arsenal and England, along with managers Mikel Arteta and Thomas Tuchel, have managed his recovery "amazingly" since March. He expressed feeling "better than I felt in the last few months" and reiterated his readiness for the competition.

Tuchel is reportedly keen to include Saka in his starting lineup, recognizing him as one of England’s key players with strong set-piece delivery. According to Sami Mokbel for the BBC, Tuchel plans to implement a focus on set-pieces, potentially drawing inspiration from Arsenal's tactics. This strategy could see Arsenal players, including Saka and Declan Rice, providing many of England's corners.

The England manager's cautious approach concerning Saka's playing time is reportedly aimed at ensuring the player remains fit for the latter stages of the tournament, should England advance. This may involve early substitutions, even if Saka desires to play as much as possible.

According to Yahoo Sports Soccer, Saka's remarks contradict the fitness concerns raised by the England manager.