England’s World Cup preparations have been rocked as Tino Livramento is expected to miss the tournament through injury, according to reports. It’s the latest blow ahead of England’s opening match of the World Cup against Croatia on Wednesday, with the Three Lions having endured a disruptive build-up to the tournament.
There had been £13,500 worth of equipment stolen from a vehicle near England’s training camp in Kansas City, while sessions have been disrupted because of heavy rain and weather warnings. However, it’s the loss of Livramento that will present Tuchel with the biggest headache on the eve of England’s World Cup opener.
According to The Telegraph, Livramento will miss the tournament after picking up a hamstring injury during England’s training camp. As the injury has been reported before the opening group game, England will be able to name a replacement, with Tuchel considering Trevoh Chalobah as a potential option.
Livramento wasn’t expected to be England’s starting right-back, given Reece James has been the first choice under Tuchel so far. However, Livramento is a canny operator and can play on either flank, meaning he would’ve offered cover to Nico O’Reilly on the left-hand side as well.
Chalobah played 47 times for Chelsea last seaason and was part of the team that won the Club World Cup in the United States. He has typically been used as a centre back, which might raise eyebrows given Livramento plays at fullback. However, Djed Spence, Dan Burn and Jarell Quansah are all capable of covering at full-back.
Another fitness worry for England is that of winger Bukayo Saka, who is said to be carrying a knock in the run-up to the tournament. Speaking this week, he stated: “I don’t want to say anything that goes against the manager. But what I would say between Mikel [Arteta] and Arsenal’s medical team and England’s medical team, since March they have managed me amazingly and helped me get back on the pitch and do what I can for the team. I am feeling better than I have felt for the last few months. I am ready to go.
“As players it’s the biggest gamble, especially if you’re not feeling your sharpest. You have the choice whether you don’t play or you put yourself out there knowing people are going to judge you the same. At the end of the day people don’t really care how you’re feeling, they expect you to deliver, they expect you to perform. I’m happy to take the gamble. It paid off, I’d say. I’m going to continue doing that. But I am feeling a lot better than I did in March and I’m ready to go.”