July 5th 2024.
In the upcoming Euro 2024 quarter-final match between France and Portugal, all eyes will be on William Saliba, the talented defender from Arsenal. While he has been praised for his performances in recent years, former Premier League star Yohan Cabaye believes there is one aspect of his game that he needs to improve in order to be considered the best defender in the world.
Saliba's journey with Arsenal has been anything but traditional, as he joined the club for a hefty fee and then spent the next three seasons on loan in France. However, when he finally returned to the first-team squad in the 2022-23 season, he quickly established himself as a key player alongside Gabriel, solidifying Arsenal's defense.
But it's not just at Arsenal where Saliba has been making a name for himself. He has also been a crucial player for the French national team, helping them keep three clean sheets in their four games so far at the Euros. Cabaye, who played with Saliba at Saint-Etienne, has been impressed by his former teammate's progress and believes he has the potential to become the best defender in the world.
"I've known William for a long time now, and I could see his potential even back when we played together at Saint-Etienne," Cabaye shared in an interview with Ladbrokes. "He has the right mentality and work ethic to become a top defender, and he's proving it on the big stage."
One of Saliba's greatest strengths, according to Cabaye, is his ability to win one-on-one battles and his strong presence on the field. He also possesses technical skills, with his composure on the ball and ability to start attacks. However, Cabaye believes there is one area where Saliba could improve – scoring goals from set-pieces.
"Technically, he's a very relaxed player and has excellent vision on the ball. But to become a complete defender, he needs to work on his headers and score more goals from set-pieces," Cabaye explained. "But other than that, he is a special player and, in my opinion, the best French player in the Premier League at the moment."
If France manages to defeat Portugal in the quarter-final, they will face either Germany or Spain in the semi-final. With Saliba's impressive performances for both club and country, many are predicting that he will continue to be a key player in France's journey towards the Euro 2024 title.
As for his future at Arsenal, Saliba's integration into the first-team squad has silenced any doubts about his abilities, and it's clear that he has a bright future ahead of him. Stay updated with all the latest news and analysis on Arsenal by signing up and subscribing to our newsletter. Your privacy is important to us, and we are protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
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