Posted by Ex-French international William Gallas has downplayed the acclaim bestowed upon Arsenal’s William Saliba, naming four Premier League defenders he considers to be superior to the Arsenal star.
Saliba’s breakthrough into the Gunners’ lineup at the beginning of the 2022-23 season, following three years on loan, has been nothing short of spectacular.
Gallas, on the other hand, maintains that Saliba is not yet a world-class player.
“Let’s not get so worked up over William Saliba! This kind of debate isn’t helpful to the athletes involved, and it’s a symptom of the modern media. Some people just can’t handle so much stress.
When I think of extremely elite defenders, Thiago Silva is one of the first names that springs to mind.
He was fantastic back then, and he’s fantastic now, despite his advanced years. Josko Gvardiol is another player I like because of how quickly and effectively he learned a new system.
Moreover, there’s Raphael Varane. While he may not be performing at his peak right now, his accomplishments are undeniable.
Even though Virgil Van Dijk hasn’t been quite the same after his injury, he’s still fantastic. He used to be excellent, but he’s started to make some blunders recently. He has his flaws, but overall, he’s rather competent.
I think those are the best defenders in the world,” Gallas said to Lord Ping.