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Bukayo Saka did not feature for England during the international break but his place in Thomas Tuchel's starting XI cannot be in doubt ahead of this summer's World Cup
Bukayo Saka did not play a single minute during the international break - yet his chances of losing a starting spot for England at the World Cup still decreased.
The Arsenal forward was forced to withdraw from the Three Lions' camp due to a fitness issue on Saturday and that paved the way for other attackers to receive minutes on the right flank against Uruguay and Japan.
Noni Madueke blew hot and cold on Friday before he was forced off with a knee issue while Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers both struggled to make an impact on Tuesday night.
Even when Jarrod Bowen, who appears to be facing an uphill battle to secure his seat on the plane to North America, entered the fray for the final 30 minutes with a point to prove, he looked like he was putting too much pressure on himself.
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Bowen is West Ham's Mr Consistent and should be cut some slack while Palmer and Rogers need to perform better if they want to gatecrash Thomas Tuchel's starting XI.
England's two stale displays at Wembley were further confirmation that England are a better team when Saka is in the side.
The Gunners starlet is not having the best season by his own sky-high standards but he is still integral to Arsenal's success and England's World Cup hopes.
That is why it's particularly agitating when Saka is heavily scrutinised amid recent fatigue and a lack of sharpness.
The idea that Saka's best days are already behind him because of the amount of football he has played in nonsense.
He's been indispensable for both club and country since first breaking into Arsenal's side and it speaks volumes that he's very rarely been rested.
Why is that the case? Well, because of his productivity and ability to impact matches.
This summer's World Cup will be no different. Saka is a creative hub, a spark and outlet you can rely on and trust.
He has plenty of strong competitors for his England jersey but none have come close to dethroning him during the international break and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.
His decision to pull out on the England squad has also been in the spotlight but it's clear he needed time to rest and reset ahead of a massive few months.
Time out - knock or not - was the best thing for him because he is England's undisputed No.1 right-winger and this camp has only reaffirmed that.
Ryan Taylor is a London-based Football Reporter who has worked across Reach's National titles since 2018. After graduating from the University of Brighton with a Sports Journalism degree, he previously climbed the ranks of the Daily Express, where he also covered boxing, before joining the Sunday Mirror as a Football Reporter in 2023. Ryan has developed a strong track record for breaking news on the London football beat.
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