Neville warns Saka 'doesn't look right at all' as England fitness concerns grow

Gary Neville has publicly flagged concerns over Bukayo Saka’s fitness after the Arsenal winger started and was substituted in England’s 2-0 World Cup group-stage win over Panama on Saturday night, with fellow pundit Ian Wright questioning whether the 24-year-old has been brought back from injury too quickly.

Saka, who has been managing an Achilles problem that surfaced in the final weeks of last season, was left on the bench for England’s opening World Cup fixtures against Croatia and Ghana before Thomas Tuchel handed him a start against Panama. He was withdrawn in the 63rd minute, shortly after Jude Bellingham opened the scoring.

“Bukayo Saka doesn’t look right at all,” Neville said on the Stick to Football podcast. “He’s usually the boy that’s bubbling and smiling, he’s got that competitive edge to him, but he’s not right and that’s a concern to us I think.”

Wright, himself a former Arsenal striker, echoed those worries and suggested Saka may need more time to fully recover. “Has Bukayo Saka been rushed back?” Wright said. “We’re going into a World Cup, and still not starting the first few games. Only starting when we’re three games in, and still isn’t looking like the Saka that we know — this guy needs a break.”

Tuchel is already navigating a difficult injury picture in his squad. Tino Livramento was withdrawn before the tournament began, while Reece James is sidelined with a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Panama victory.

England finished top of Group L and will face DR Congo in their round of 32 match on Tuesday evening in Atlanta. A win there would set up a last-16 tie against either Mexico or Ecuador, to be played in Mexico City.