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England international Eberechi Eze has praised his teammate Bukayo Saka, calling the Arsenal star a "special player" as the forward prepares for what could be his first World Cup start against Panama on Saturday.

Saka has come off the bench in England’s opening two fixtures, having entered the tournament while nursing an Achilles injury that affected the closing weeks of his club season.

The 24-year-old showed his trademark energy during his short appearance in the goalless draw with Ghana, coming close to scoring and changing the momentum of the match.

With Noni Madueke struggling to make a notable impression, Saka is now in contention for a starting place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Eze believes Saka’s distinctive qualities could be vital in unlocking another defensively disciplined Central American side.

“He’s an unbelievably talented player, and his understanding of the game is on another level,” Eze said.

Saka has been managing an Achilles issue and has only appeared as a substitute in England’s first two matches.

“I think he’s someone who makes the right choices most of the time, and he’s so effective and efficient. I really enjoy playing alongside him because you always know what to expect. You can link up easily with him, and he’s just a joy to play with,” Eze added.

Eze credited Saka’s intelligent decision-making to his long-term growth and maturity as a player.

“I’d say his decision-making comes from his experience and the learning he’s done over the years. I think it’s something he’s worked on from a young age, and now we’re seeing it on the big stage. It’s not an easy skill to master, which is why he’s such a special player,” he explained.

England will aim to secure a win over Panama to top Group L, which would ensure a place in the last 32 against a third-placed team from another group.

Matching or improving Ghana’s result against Croatia would also be enough for England to finish first. Despite the frustrating draw with Ghana in Boston, Eze maintains that the team’s focus and determination remain intact.

“I don’t think it makes much difference for us personally,” he said. “We’ll go out there to win as we always do, approaching the game with the same mindset and concentration. We’re not going to lose focus just because it’s the last group match. We have the same goal, the same ambition, and we’re determined to achieve it.”