England national football team manager Thomas Tuchel has spoken publicly for the first time following the departure of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice from the squad ahead of their upcoming friendly against Japan.
The two Arsenal stars were released from camp and have since returned to their club to undergo further medical examinations.
Addressing the situation during a media briefing on Monday, Tuchel explained that keeping the players in camp was not a practical decision given their physical condition. According to him, although both Saka and Rice were willing to feature in the match, the potential risk to their fitness made it an unwise choice.
“Saka and Rice wanted to play… but it made no sense to take this risk for us and for them,” Tuchel said.
“They were clearly in discomfort. There was a risk of making it worse.”
Tuchel’s comments highlight the team’s cautious approach to player fitness, especially in a non-competitive fixture, as the coaching staff prioritizes the long-term well-being of key players.
