England manager Tuchel set to feature Saka in friendly against Senegal

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is set to play in a revamped England squad for their friendly against Senegal on Tuesday, as announced by manager Thomas Tuchel.

England struggled to secure a lacklustre 1-0 victory over Andorra during their World Cup qualifying match on Saturday.

“I experienced a slight strain after the last Premier League match of the season,” Saka explained to reporters on Monday. “Kudos to the England staff for managing my situation effectively. The manager decided to rest me on Saturday but mentioned that I would feature tomorrow.

“I genuinely love joining the England camps and representing my country. It’s been a bit of a frustrating year with injuries, but I am ready now and looking forward to the match tomorrow.”

Tuchel expressed strong criticism regarding his team’s “lack of urgency” following the win against Andorra, which placed them in a strong position in Group K.

“I defend my players, so I won’t mention any names; it’s not just about individuals,” Tuchel remarked at the team’s training facility at St. George’s Park.

“However, as a collective, we fell short of our usual standards. I felt that we didn’t approach the game with the seriousness required for a World Cup qualifier.

“There’s no need to sugar coat the situation. You watched the game yourself, so why should I claim we performed well? No harm done; we’re open to criticism.”

England are expected to face a more formidable challenge against Senegal.

The African side, who were defeated 3-0 by England in the 2022 World Cup—the only encounter between the two teams—remain unbeaten in their last 23 matches across all competitions.

Under Tuchel’s leadership, England have won all three of their matches, including six consecutive victories in all competitions, while keeping a clean sheet in each of the last five.

Saka chose to refrain from commenting on how Tuchel’s managerial style stacks up against that of his predecessor, Gareth Southgate.

“To be honest, I don’t like to make comparisons,” Saka stated. “Since arriving in the camp, (Tuchel) has been quite demanding and intense during training, but he maintains a relaxed atmosphere off the field.

“He’s a pleasant person, allowing us to enjoy ourselves and fostering a positive environment for all players.”

On Sunday evening, the team watched Portugal triumph over Spain in the Nations League final.

“The final was of a high standard—top-quality football,” Tuchel commented. “That sets the benchmark, and we will strive to reach that level. I’m confident we possess the capability to compete with these teams.”