Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Bukayo Saka will finish England’s World Cup round of 32 clash after naming the winger on the bench against DR Congo.
Tuchel has made three changes to the England side that beat Panama at the weekend to clinch top spot in Group L.
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Declan Rice is back from a rest to replace Morgan Rogers in midfield, while Saka makes way for Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke on the right-wing.
Saka is still working his way back up to full fitness after an Achilles issue. He started the win over Panama, providing an assist for Jude Bellingham's opening goal.
However, it's Madueke who gets the nod in Atlanta, though Tuchel insists the decision says “nothing” about Saka’s fitness.
“It tells you that Bukayo will finish the match for us,” the England boss told BBC before kick-off.
The other alteration is enforced. Jarell Quansah misses out with the ankle problem that forced him to limp off against Panama, leaving the Three Lions short of options at right-back as Reece James is also absent.
That leaves Tottenham’s Djed Spence - who started at left-back against Ghana - as the replacement in the starting XI against DR Congo.
“No, the central defenders stay, Nico [O’Reilly] played three of the four matches, so it’s not a problem,” Tuchel said in response to be quizzed if his decision was to avoid too much disruption in the back line.
“Djed has had minutes in every match, so no problem at all.”
