Bukayo Saka has declared himself ready to start England's World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday. The Arsenal winger says he'll push through Achilles concerns if selected for the full match.
Saka, 24, has been carefully managed since suffering the injury in March. He missed England's previous international window and seven Arsenal matches before returning.
His comeback helped Arsenal clinch the Premier League title for the first time since 2002. But manager Thomas Tuchel recently warned the winger needs special care.
Tuchel said it was "very unlikely" Saka would play every minute of every World Cup game. The England boss suggested the player requires ongoing medical attention.
Yet Saka told reporters he feels confident enough to handle a full 90 minutes in Dallas. "I'm ready to go," he stated firmly.
He praised the work of his medical teams at both clubs. According to him, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and England's Tuchel have managed his recovery brilliantly.
"I'm feeling better than I have felt in the last few months," Saka noted. The winger credited professional medical support for his progress.
He played just 27 minutes in England's warm-up against Costa Rica last week. Tuchel continued rotating his squad carefully during that friendly.
Saka's previous appearance ended in substitution during Arsenal's Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest. That exit drew criticism from some observers.
But the winger accepts the scrutiny that comes with playing below peak fitness. He knows supporters judge performances regardless of injury status.
"As players it's the biggest gamble," he explained to reporters. "People don't really care how you're feeling; they expect you to deliver."
Saka acknowledged the risk of underperforming while not fully sharp. Still, he's willing to take that chance for England.
"I'm happy to take that gamble," he said. His recent displays suggest the strategy has worked.
This match will mark Saka's 50th cap for England. He's expected to play a crucial role if deemed ready to start.
Croatia arrive as a respected opponent on Wednesday. England begin their World Cup campaign seeking victory in Texas.
