England manager Thomas Tuchel has welcomed the growing competition between Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, describing their battle for the right-wing position as one of the strengths of his World Cup squad.
Speaking ahead of England’s crucial Group L encounter against Ghana, Tuchel highlighted the healthy rivalry between two players who not only compete for places with the national team but also share a dressing room at Arsenal.
“It’s another big thing on the right wing between Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka and the beautiful thing is they do it for Arsenal as well.”
The comment reflects a unique dynamic within England’s squad. Madueke has emerged as one of the breakout performers of the tournament after stepping into the starting lineup while Saka recovered from an Achilles problem that limited his preparation for the World Cup. Tuchel has repeatedly praised the camaraderie among players competing for the same position, emphasizing that internal competition has strengthened rather than divided the squad.
The biggest news for England, however, may be Tuchel’s update on Saka’s fitness.
For weeks, concerns surrounded the Arsenal star after he played through an Achilles issue during the closing months of the club season. Prior to the tournament, Tuchel and England’s medical staff carefully managed his workload, while Saka himself admitted he was taking a calculated risk in order to participate at the World Cup.
Now, the outlook appears significantly brighter.
“Bukayo is getting better and better, feels no more pain and he is ready to go — without telling you if he starts or comes from the bench.”
Tuchel confirmed that Saka had completed recent training sessions at full intensity and that England have no injury concerns heading into the match against Ghana. (Reuters)
The update represents a major boost for England’s World Cup ambitions. Saka remains one of the team’s most influential attacking players and was instrumental during England’s qualification campaign. However, Tuchel has been cautious throughout the tournament, preferring not to rush the winger back into a starting role. Reports earlier in the competition suggested England were considering delaying Saka’s return to the starting XI until later in the group stage to ensure his long-term availability.
In Saka’s absence, Madueke has seized his opportunity. The winger has impressed with his direct running, creativity and energy, giving Tuchel a selection dilemma that most coaches would gladly accept. The fact that both players are familiar with each other’s strengths from their time together at Arsenal only adds another layer to the competition.
England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening match showcased the squad’s attacking depth, but Tuchel has warned that improvements are still needed, particularly defensively. He described aspects of the Croatia performance as a “wake-up call” and stressed the importance of maintaining structure against a dangerous Ghana side.
With England knowing a victory could secure qualification for the knockout rounds, Tuchel now faces an enviable decision: stick with the in-form Madueke or unleash a fully fit Saka from the start.
Either way, England appear to have regained one of their most important attacking weapons at exactly the right moment.