England’s World Cup campaign may still be alive, but Gary Neville and Roy Keane have warned that one problem is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: the lack of spark from the wings.
The concern has grown around Bukayo Saka, who has been managing an Achilles issue during the tournament. The Arsenal forward has featured in all three of England’s group matches, but he has not looked as sharp, explosive or comfortable as supporters are used to seeing.
Gary Neville has expressed fears over England star Bukayo Saka’s fitness at the World Cup
Neville claimed Saka, who has been managing an Achilles problem, ‘doesn’t look right at all’
Saka has featured in England’s three group matches, starting one game but coming off the bench in the other two
Saka came off the bench against Croatia and Ghana before starting in England’s 2-0 victory over Panama. However, despite the win, questions remain over whether he is fully ready to carry a major attacking role in the knockout rounds.
Neville believes Saka’s body language and rhythm are not quite right, while Ian Wright has questioned whether the winger has been brought back too quickly. Saka played through discomfort for Arsenal late last season, and his minutes were carefully managed before the World Cup.
The bigger issue for Thomas Tuchel is that England have not consistently created enough from wide areas. Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke started in the first two group matches, while Marcus Rashford and Saka were later given chances, but none of the wide players have fully taken control of a game.
That has left England relying heavily on Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and moments from set-pieces. Against Panama, Bellingham’s opener came from a corner, underlining the feeling that England still need more invention in open play.
Ian Wright and Roy Keane stressed England’s wingers, including Anthony Gordon, will need to raise their game heading into the knock-out stages of the World Cup
Royal Keane and Ian Wright agreed that Argentina could end England’s World Cup challenge in the semi-finals
Keane’s message was clear: in the group stage, teams can sometimes get away with uneven performances. In knockout football, someone has to step up. England’s wingers now have very little time left to prove they can change matches when the pressure rises.
The path ahead will not be gentle. England face DR Congo in the Round of 32, with a possible meeting against Mexico or Ecuador in the last 16. If they continue to progress, Brazil could wait in the quarter-finals and Argentina may become a potential semi-final opponent.
Wright suggested England might have enough to trouble Brazil, but both he and Keane were far less convinced about a possible meeting with Argentina. Keane was especially blunt, arguing that England would struggle badly against the defending champions if they reached that stage.
For now, Tuchel’s team have done enough to move forward. But the debate around Saka’s fitness and England’s wide options is only getting louder. If the wingers do not find form quickly, England’s World Cup dream could run into trouble long before the final.
