William Saliba is establishing himself as one of the best Premier League and the World defenders since returning from a loan from Olympic Marseille. His impressive performance in Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Manchester City has got everyone talking.
The 22-year-old prevented Erling Haaland from having his day as Manchester City had only one shot on target against Arsenal at the Emirates. Saliba’s importance for Arsenal was evident last season when he got injured in Arsenal’s title challenge against Manchester City.
While Marcel Desailly has been impressed with the 22-year-old since returning to Arsenal, still hold that Virgil van Dijk and Dayot Upamecano are currently better than him.
What did Marcel Desailly Say?
He said via Gambling Zone:” I wouldn’t say Saliba is the best in the World yet. I believe that Dayot Upamecano and Virgil Van Dijk are above Saliba, even though Van Dijk has dropped a little bit.
“We do, however, need to give Saliba time. He only arrived two years ago and, back then, nobody knew his name. He was never mentioned! Let’s allow him to exercise and practice his craft at the highest level.
“Saliba has done well, and he has the potential, but let’s wait and see what else he can do. The potential is there. He’s surely an international-level player for France. He needs to build up his relationship with the other players in the France camp before he can show what he can do individually.
“I really like Upamecano, even if he still believes a bit too much in his athletic capacity. That causes him to make mistakes.
“I’d say he needs a bit more humility in his physical capability and reads the game better, he’d be the best centre-back in the World. Virgil Van Dijk’s drop has been so disappointing as, for three seasons, we all believed he could be the best.”
On his performance against Manchester City, he added:” He didn’t keep Haaland quite by himself – it was also due to the other players.
“Arsenal pressed City high and cut out the passes to Haaland.”
