Tuchel eyes Saka return and moderate rotation for England's must-win Panama clash

Thomas Tuchel is weighing up a “moderate” rotation for England’s World Cup Group L decider against Panama in New York on Saturday, with a place at the top of the group still very much up for grabs after England were held to a 0-0 draw by Ghana on Tuesday.

The stalemate — in which neither side registered a shot on target in the first half — means England can no longer guarantee finishing first in Group L. Should they drop points against Panama, Croatia could leapfrog them depending on the result of their own match against Carlos Queiroz’s side. A group win sends England to Atlanta to face a third-placed finisher; finishing second would mean a trip to Toronto to face Portugal or Colombia.

Tuchel said he is not afraid to make changes despite the stakes, though he acknowledged the difficulty of asking rotated players to perform immediately. “Some players should be on the pitch but maybe it will be more moderate,” he said. “It’s not always fair if you just rotate your players in and say, ‘Okay, let’s perform.’ Let’s see.”

The most significant potential change involves Bukayo Saka, who has come off the bench in both of England’s opening matches as he manages an Achilles issue. Tuchel said the Arsenal winger is edging closer to a starting berth, with two training sessions remaining before the Panama game. “He seems to be more and more ready,” Tuchel said. “We need him desperately, like every other player, in top shape and pushing.” He was careful, however, to temper expectations around Saka’s return. “It’s not like Bukayo comes back and everything is solved, and I don’t want to put this on his back.”

Tuchel also singled out Elliot Anderson for praise following Tuesday’s draw, suggesting the midfielder had produced his best performance of the tournament and could retain his place. The England head coach said he was similarly pleased with his centre-back pairing, hinting that defensive continuity may be a priority even as other areas of the team are refreshed.

Noni Madueke has started both matches on the right flank in Saka’s absence, and his place in the XI appears under threat if the Arsenal man is passed fit.

On the performance against Ghana, Tuchel acknowledged the frustration felt by supporters but pushed back against the idea that England’s cautious approach was a cause for alarm. “There is a long way to go and no one won a World Cup with four goals per match,” he said. “I know it’s not an easy watch. Maybe I watch it differently from the sideline as a coach. It needs two to tango.”