That isn't really an option this summer. England expects Saka to be ready for Euro 2024. England expects Saka, who has played 52 games for club and country this season, to be raring to go when Gareth Southgate's side take on Serbia in their opening game in Group C on Sunday. England will have to look past the fact that Saka, at the age of 22, has made 259 appearances for club and country, the first in November 2018.
The schedule is wearying. Never mind resting Saka, sometimes Arsenal are reluctant even to take him off. The demands are high under Mikel Arteta and it does not help that Saka has often been on the receiving end of rough treatment from defenders. Saka has winced through games and it is not ideal that he missed Arsenal's final game of the season and England's win against Bosnia and Herzegovina with a groin injury.
The situation requires careful management. Although it was a relief to see Saka come on in the 65th minute of England's humbling by Iceland, there has to be a worry over his endurance. Is he ready for seven tournament matches? England, flimsy and vague in attack against Iceland, are much better when Saka is fit and starting. They need him to be ready for Serbia. Along with the natural width he provides, they need his cutting edge. It is hard to overlook the fact that the only players in England's squad with more than four international goals are Saka (11 in 33 caps) and Harry Kane (63 from 91).
This story is from the June 13, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 13, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Dovid Efune Why frontrunner to buy Telegraph is causing alarm
A little over a decade ago Dovid Efune was juggling the editorship of the New York-based Jewish publication the Algemeiner Journal while also handling publicity for Israel's first world boxing champion.
Starmer signals huge increase in UK green investment
Keir Starmer has signalled that his government will drastically increase its green investment plans in an attempt to avoid a rerun of 1980s-style industrial decline by safeguarding jobs in heartland manufacturing communities.
Bet365 saved up to £140m in tax from boss's charity fund
A charity set up by the billionaire boss of Bet365, Denise Coates, may have saved her online gambling empire more in tax than the foundation has so far given to good causes, a Guardian analysis suggests.
Evidence of boy's abuse prompts review of Menendez killers case
Prosecutors in Los Angeles are reviewing new evidence in the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez to determine whether they should be serving life sentences for killing their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion more than 35 years ago, the city's district attorney said Thursday.
Obama to hit the Harris campaign trail in blitz on key battlegrounds
Barack Obama will go on the road to campaign for Kamala Harris next week as she and her Republican challenger, Donald Trump, prepare to crisscross the battleground states that will probably decide the 2024 presidential election, now just one month away.
Packham joins activist body but says 'stop disruption'
Climate activists need to stop blocking roads and start holding fossil fuel executives personally to account, Chris Packham has said, shortly after being appointed to the board of one of the biggest activist funds in the world.
Antarctica 'greens' at dramatic rate as heating brings profound change to icy continent
Plant cover across the Antarctic Peninsula has soared more than tenfold over the last few decades, as the climate crisis heats up the icy continent.
Renaissance men Midlife makeovers steal the spotlight at Paris fashion shows
Twenty-something pop singers are usually the default stars of fashion week. But it was older men who unexpectedly stole the spotlight at the latest Paris shows.
Inquest into baby death in 2014 told of years of 'dishonesty' by hospital
A grieving mother has told an inquest how secretive, evasive and \"patronising\" behaviour by NHS staff was \"traumatic\" and led to her spending years seeking the truth about her daughter's death.
Royal Navy apologises for 'intolerable' misogyny exposed on submarines
The head of the Royal Navy has issued an unreserved apology for \"intolerable\" misogyny within the Submarine Service, after a slew of investigations exposed sexual harassment, bullying and assault of women within its ranks.