Thomas Tuchel says England cannot rely on the returning Bukayo Saka to solve their World Cup goalscoring issues, but he does admit: “We need him desperately.”
Saka has been a second-half substitute in each of the two opening matches, earning an assist for Marcus Rashford's fourth goal against Croatia, but was unable to help England make the breakthrough against Ghana after coming on with half an hour to go.
Tuchel has suggested that, if Saka's progression continues as it has in his recovery from a long-term Achilles problem, he could be ready to start against Panama in New Jersey on Saturday. "He seems to be more and more ready and will hopefully push. We will then see," says Tuchel.
But the Three Lions boss is adamant that they won't put the pressure of expectation on the Arsenal winger, adding: "It's not like Bukayo comes back and everything is solved and I don't want to put this on his back.
"He's a top player, that's why he's with us, and he will get his minutes. We need him desperately, like every other player, in top shape.
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"But everyone is doing their best and it's not the moment to shout individual names to help us out. We're in a good place still."
England sit top of Group L above Ghana on goal difference, with both nations on four points. Because the two nations played out a goalless draw, they are level on the FIFA criteria for 'head-to-head'.
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That means if both nations win their final game - England against Panama and Ghana against Croatia - it will come down to a straight shoot out to see who can score the most goals.
And Tuchel admits England's disappointing draw on Tuesday makes it more difficult to rest some of his big players for the final World Cup group game - but he is still planning to rotate his squad nonetheless.
"Yes, but I was not even sure we would do the full rotation. Maybe we would have," he said.
"But I'm still not shy to do some rotation now if we think some players should be on the pitch, but maybe more moderate than before now, because otherwise it is maybe not fair if you throw 10 new players in and say 'go and perform'."
John Stones seems set for a battle to win back his starting place at this World Cup, after Tuchel praised the partnership of Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa in England's draw with Ghana.
The former Manchester City defender started England's opening game - a 4-2 win over Croatia - but was dropped to the bench in Boston with Guehi taking his place.
It has been clear that England's head coach came into the tournament with an open mind about which two of the three centre-backs would become his first-choice pairing, but he has now hinted that Stones may have some ground to make up.
"I like the centre backs [Guehi and Konsa against Ghana]" Tuchel said. "I think they were good together.
"It was a difficult match. We allowed two counter attacks and only two counter attacks, and they were straight away dangerous. And so the credit goes to the team, and the structure and the discipline that we didn't allow more."
Konsa was lucky not to concede a penalty for his second half lunge on Prince Kwabena Adu. The Aston Villa defender got none of the ball and seemed to make contact with Adu's thigh. The referee awarded no spot kick, and VAR didn't intervene.
"I'm not sure VAR is still working in the World Cup. We still have VAR? It's working?" asked the Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz, sarcastically, after the game.
"I have some doubts about that because another penalty that they need give to Ghana, a clear penalty against England [was missed]. They're lucky. They're very lucky. It was a clear penalty, red card."
"Could have, not should have," responded Tuchel, when asked if Ghana had been denied a penalty, and a potential red card when Jordan Pickford rushed from his line and collided with the same Ghana forward.
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Sources: Sky Sports
