Does Saka have to step up in the Champions League knockouts to finally earn the title of World Class? The ex-Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand definitely believes that Saka still needs to prove himself, but I think he can’t do much more than he has aready done. He is already world-class but just needs to carry on proving it.
Ferdinand believes that the Arsenal winger is just a top player but has the potential to prove himself as world-class by leading Arsenal through the Champions League knockouts. It’s a bummer that Saka has been doing so well with Arsenal for a few seasons, but he only got the opportunity to play in the Champions League this season because it’s the first time Arsenal has qualified since he joined.
Arsenal has already shown his skills, and he’s so impressive that he’s guaranteed a spot as a starter on the right wing for the team. Actually, when he’s fit, no one at Arsenal can play the right wing quite like him. He’s practically “undroppable.”
Last season, he had an impressive performance, with 14 goals and 11 assists in the league. This made him stand out as one of the most reliable and talented wingers in the Premier League. So far this season, it looks like he’s just picking up where he left off. He’s got 10 goals and 7 assists in 23 league games.
Looking at his league stats and the fact that he already has 3 goals and 4 assists in 5 games in his debut Champions League campaign, it’s safe to say he’s a world-class player.
Regardless, Rio Ferdinand believes that the 22-year-old can only prove himself world-class if he performs well in the upcoming Champions League knockouts.
Rio on Vibe with Five said, “Not yet. Listen, I think Saka’s been unreal. I actually think he needs a bit of a rest, so many games for a young kid. But I think, it’s almost like, What is world-class? He hasn’t done it in the Champions League, has he? I’m talking in the nitty-gritty stages. Saka’s top; don’t get me wrong. He’s not world-class yet.”
Considering Saka’s impressive performance in the Champions League and Arsenal’s current strong form, it seems likely that he will lead the Gunners to Champions League glory. So, Arsenal winning the Champions League doesn’t seem too far-fetched, right? Who could possibly argue against the fact that Saka is world-class if they win it?
Arsenal will be facing FC Porto in the Champions League round of 16 next Wednesday at the Stadio do Dragao. The second leg at the Emirates is scheduled for March 12th, and I am very confident that Saka will continue to prove his greatness.
Sam P
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Saka is not world class, as much as I love him and would like to believe that. Objectivity is severely lacking here
Players like Zidane, Ronaldo 9, Henry, Messi, Ronaldo 7 ect ect ect were world class players….Saka is not at that level yet.
💯% agree with you PJ-SA, as good as Saka is he’s not world class, yet. Most supporters in Europe and possibly the world know all the players you mention and possibly rate them as world class, but some will never have heard of Saka, let alone rate him.
Being world class is banded around far to much, in my opinion.
No Sam P, he is not there yet, in my opinion world class players are generational talents like KDB, Mbbabe, Rodri and Partey who has been consistently at that level for many moons.
Partey ?!!! Are you serious mate?!
Pires, I think your judgment may have been clouded by his recent injuries.
Yes, Partey is world class, believe it or not. Only problem is that he’s injury prone
I would have said that were it not got his collapse at the end of last season, which I don’t think was injury-related (but don’t really know)
Its crazy in 4 years he got injured twice and missed 6 games for Athletico Madrid. In Arsenal since 2020/2021 got injured 9 times and missed almost 68 games.
WtF….it is what it is
I have to come out in support of Piers. Partey is not world class. He’s good but let’s all keep our heads here. On his day he is very, very good but those days are few and far between. However good he might be he would be totally eclipsed by the likes of Vieira, Yaya, Kante, to name but a few. And to speak of his as a generational talent is frankly a heads gone moment.
big club vs not big club
world class vs not world class
a bit silly really, no prizes for any of those things
William Saliba is closer to being world class than Saka is in my view. Not to say he won’t be sometime in the future.
SALIBA is already and obviously among the worlds very most effective CB’s and in the hardest league of them all,
Definitely and without any doubt at all A TRUE WORLD CLASS PLAYER.
Please dont show your ignorance! Of course if you have most effective players and many of them, it is perfectly in order to distinguish between them by writing “very most effective”!
I accept it IS an ugly phrase and not often used, but it is NOT incorrect. I know, but plainly you do not1
They will have to play against world class teams outside England. The likes of Madrid, prime Bayern, Juventus, prime Barcelona, Inter, PSG……same goes for Arteta.
He’s not world class, but he’s surely one of the strongest inverted-RWs in the world with very good ball control and passing skills
A major credencials for been a world class is winning major trophy with your club or country. And especially been influential in the game. Bukayo has the potential but not there yet.
Agreed
He’s potentially ‘world class’, but as Rio says he has to do it on the biggest stages. At his age he’s only likely to improve, so I think he’ll get there for sure.
Agreed with everyone that he is not world class but he is an established talent and at a very short time in his career. His numbers now are good but he is scraping at chances and getting lucky with penalties and fortunate rebounds however if he continues even this next season I dare say we can begin to have the discussion
The very fact that we are having the discussion should tell you he is not yet “world class.”
The truly “world class” players don’t need to explain why, do they? Messi, Ronaldo, etc…..
So even Arsenal supporters are saying we don’t have player of world vi??? Something I very wrong with our club. Not long ago we were told that the same Saka has a price tag of 120 millions in pounds. To me that is exactly the price of world class. We have many World Players at Arsenal some judges must reduce the level of jealousy when making judgements
I think the debate is meant for an individual not what the team does, just like individual awards. For Rio to speak about the bigger stage, it’s like Saka will be judged on team’s failures. Just look at the numbers and then judge the player. For me Saka has also proven on international level he’s world class, just look at previous euros. If Saka was producing these numbers at Madrid, some would rate him higher but it’s just because he plays Arsenal
Would be nice if someone could define what world class is. With a proper definition, it would be easier for us to give informed opinions on the subject. One of the least controversial definitions of a world class player I found on the internet is- one of the best players in the world. The question then becomes,Is Bukayo Saka one of the best players in the world? For me the answer is Yes and I’ll give my reasons.
Firstly,Saka is statistically one of the best wingers in the world. There are lots of offensive,passing and defensive metrics that put him in 90th percentile or higher amongst wingers. I will not go into detail,however. The most prominent statistics of course are goals and assists-the only winger with better numbers in the PL is Salah.
Secondly,Saka has been huge for country as well.Many times when people talk about world class,they only consider club performances.He already has 11 goals and 8 assists for England. For comparison,Vini Jr. who is considered world class has 3 goals and 4 assists for Brazil. Last year,Saka was given the award for England Men’s player of the season for the second successive season, in a star studded England Squad! Saka was arguably England’s best player at the 2022 World Cup. The Champions League is a prestigious competition but it is no World Cup. The World Cup is the biggest stage in World football and Saka has shown his talent in it.
I’d like to pose the question,if Saka is not world class,then who is/are? I pose this question because I want to compare. Of the wingers in Europe currently, only Salah boasts better numbers. Son has better numbers too,but he’s played most games at Centre Forward. Mbappe is listed as Centre Forward. Personally, the only wingers I consider a level above Saka currently are Salah and Vini Jr. I put him in the same level as Sane,Kvaratskhelia,Foden and Rodrigo.
In addition to all the qualities I mentioned,he’s durable (82 successive matches),he’s disciplined on and off field on top of having a great mentality. He’s not won with the team obviously but has done enough to get individual accolades. Was nominated for Ballon d’Or and was in the top 30. Surely top 30 means one of the best in the world? I think Saliba,Odegaard, and Big Gabby(Yes! I think Gabriel has been world class this season,but he doesn’t get the same recognition as Saliba) are world class as well.
An interesting definition of what world class means to you Onyango.
I am very close to your definition, though I suggest there are other though less obvious factors at play tool
But essentially we are BROADLY in agreement!
Ultimately though it changes nothing in his week to week perfs as to HOW we all label him. And to me THAT is what matters, not labels!
I wouldnt go with that definition because it could be that there simply aren’t that many very good players for his position at this moment in time. If one team decided to play a sweeper system, you could say whoever they put in the sweeper role is world class because he’s the best in the world at doing it – apologies for the admittedly over the top hypothetical.
Given that there is no definition, for me it’s about whether they can always play well in any game – modric is/was world class because no one could stop him playing his game and affecting things positively for his team more or less whenever he was on the pitch. Mbappe (who I’m quite sure prefers playing on the wing, and largely does), is similar. I think saka can perform at that level but too often goes missing and can’t impose himself – it doesn’t seem to matter if it’s a big game or a small game, so imo it’s just because he’s playing too many games (which to my understanding is his choice as much as arteta’s, and imo goes against your point about the number of games he plays) and can’t physically perform to his best every time. I don’t know that for sure, however, so until he overcomes that inconsistency, I wouldn’t label him as world class, personally – it was only a few weeks ago people were complaining about his poor performances. I don’t think he far away from that top level, I just don’t think he’s there right now.
If i may, so in a nut shell he has to developed that consistency to which i agree.
In my opinion Declan Rice is a little closer to been call a world class as he’s more consistent though a different player.
I think some people always think so low of Arsenal Players. A certain Rio thinks Phil Foden is world class, yet Saka is not?
Foden is better. Foden can play in Saka’s position and do it as well as he can but can also operate on the left as equally effectively or down the middle which might be best of all.
If someone else can do your job as well as you but also do many other jobs you can’t, then quite simply they are better. Saka has qualities Foden doesn’t, such as his strength but that’s about it.
Saka can operate both wings and remember he can operate as a left back also effectively. Foden can only score with stronger foot only whereas Saka can score with both. Remember Saka sits Foden on the bench for national team. I’d prefer you use stats to compare both players before concluding Foden is better. I believe both are world class.
Neither are World Class and you haven’t provided any stats either, just an opinion, so if it’s ok for you why isn’t it ok for me?
And it is Southgate who sits Foden on the bench for England, not Saka. The same man who continually selects Jordan Henderson, so that doesn’t really support your argument either.
Yes, Saka is marginally more adept on his weaker foot than Foden and has played at Left Back but I would argue that he is able to operate there effectively as demonstrates the last time Southgate tried it with the national team.
So, to summarize, in my opinion Foden is slightly better at this point in time but both are terrific talents and I expect both to feature regularly in the England XI for the next decade.
He has the potential and am sure he’s going to reach it.
Davi I get what you’re saying about consistency. What sparked this conversation is Rio saying Foden is world class yet Saka isn’t.The reason some of us say Saka is in that category is because of such comparisons. Some of the players labeled world class,such as Foden, are just as inconsistent as Saka ,if not more inconsistent-until this season,Foden couldn’t hold a starting spot for either City or England. The logic here is that if someone says Sheffield’s striker Archer is world class then no one should be surprised if I say Nketiah is world class. It’s almost like different standards are applied to different players. Sometimes I feel like when a team achieves success like City,then they are all just labeled world class in a blanket manner yet winning is a team effort;same applies to anyone who joins them . When Doku and Kovacic joined City,suddenly some pundits labeled them world class. Yet same pundits wouldn’t say the same about Saka and Rice even though the two are clearly better than Doku and Kovacic. We just want to see consistency in the application of standards. Heck, if someone someone labeled their 78 year old aunt a world class footballer, they shouldn’t be surprised if lots of other people included their relatives aged 70+ in that discussion.
By the way if Saka is not world class, then you could argue there are only two world class wingers in the EPL at the moment-Son and Salah. Because he is at least level or better than anyone else you can think of.
What “definition would you not go with”?
You are the one who defined him as world class, in your first post , first paragraph. Are you now disagreeing then with yourself?
And if you are not doing that, then what PRECISELY ARE you saying?
If you watched players like Robben, Ribbery and Suarez at their peak, then definitely you know Saka has a long way to reach their level. Fortunately he is still young and can definitely improve and and reach the above mentioned players world class status.
Since the start of 23/24 season Saka has
10 goals 7 assist (EPL)
4 goals 3 assists (UCL)
4 goals 2 assists (national team)
That’s a 30 goal contribution. The numbers speak for themselves
Either he is already world class OR he is not . Either way it is entirely a personal and subjective call. I cannot fathom how SAM thinks he IS world class, but only IF we win the CL.
Not otherwise then by implication, then eh SAM??,That opinion makes no sense to me at all.
Personally I couldn t care less about labels, as a mere label doesn t change what he offers to us week in, week out.
I am a realist, not a labeller!
i do not believe that he is world class,nor,do i believe he will ever be. he is a one trick pony, he gets the ball out on the right , cuts in and either shoots or provides a pass.he is neither scoring enough or providing assists. i feel because he is english that everybody is hyping him up. yes, he is a very good player without a doubt, but world class, i ,for one, dont think so. i believe that martinelli on the other wing is a far better player and has a better future ahead of him.
Are you rated one of the top three players in your position? If you are in the top three then that means you are a top top player. Or are you rated in the top three overall which would mean world-class The Balon Dor is all about the present top three The problem I have is the best player in his position might not make the top three overall, but surely being the best in his position means he’s world class This is so difficult to define
My definition of world class would be whether a player would get into a world XI or a squad, so best or second best in his position.
That’s basically what I was trying to say but in a lot fewer words!
I assess a player’s world class status as whether they would get into an XI made up of the best and an opposition team.
Like this:
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Achraf Hakimi
Ruben Dias
Virgil Van Dyke
Alphonso Davies
Kevin De Bruyne
Rodri
Jude Bellingham
Mo Salah
Harry Kane
Kylian Mbappe
Vs
Allison Becker
Jeremie Frimpong
Antonio Rüdiga
David Alana
Josko Gvardiol
Declan Rice
Nicolo Barella
Fede Valverde
Rodrygo
Erling Haaland
Vini Jr
This system isn’t perfect but it’s a decent metrics for seeing how players stack up against others. Saka and Saliba are very close to being in one of these teams but aren’t quite there yet in my opinion.
That game would be utter chaos but I’d love to see it. Mbappe would sulk when KDB passes to Harry Kane and doesn’t pass to him 😂 and Rodri and KDB would end up kicking off with Mo Salah and Van Dyke. If that team gets a penalty, a mini riot will break out over who is going to take it! My money’s on the team with Rice in it.
I genuinely think that Declan Rice is our only world class player presently but that Saka and Saliba are right in there as well. The early missed header against West Ham seemed to annoy Saka and spur him on and it was from there he basically destroyed them in the space of 15 mins. When he does that I do agree he is World Class. Saka is far better when he is going forward and not constantly turning back and playing safe balls into White or Odegaard.
You’re right though, it would be a great game. The EPL or UEFA could take a lesson from US sports here; we like all star exhibition games and it would be a chance for these players to demonstrate what they can do when they don’t have the burden of results on their backs.
Personally, I’d love to see a Hardest Shot competition, or Fastest Sprinter, Most Accurate Passer, etc.
Ben
How is Rodrigo better than Saka and how is Gvardiol better than Saliba or Gabby?
I will wait
It’s purely personal opinion. You could easily swap out Gvardiol for Saliba and play Alaba at LB. I did add that I consider both on the cusp of being in either of those teams.
But to answer your question Saliba is a better defender but Gvardiol is a better play; he can bring the ball out of defense more effectively and is a modern day footballer. Personally, if I were building an actual team I was accountable for and had to pick one I’d pick Saliba, but this isn’t that and Gvardiol offers “more”
As for Rodrygo, I think he is just a more positive player offensively. He has the luxury of playing for the best team in a weak league which is definitely a factor, but I think he has more tricks. That said, if you compare stats you couldn’t realistically argue his case ahead of Saka. As I said, just opinion.
Sure just an opinion as this holddyless water. I could give you Give better defenders than Gvardiol really. My opinion to your team above I names about 5 players in that team that will not compare to Golden boy Saka..
It is a testament to the English language that I was just about able to decipher your comment despite it appearing to be written in code.
You say you can name 5 players from the teams I picked that do not compare to Saka yet you fail to name them!?
As Saka plays as a winger and between the 2 teams I named there are only 4 positions in which he could play, how do you arrive at 5?
Clearly, you didn’t read my comment you just felt to need to stand-up for a multimillionaire who doesn’t know you exist on a fan forum where we hold irreverent conversation about football. Bravo!
Whatever position you deem fit to deploy Nicolo Barella, Fede Valverde
Rodrygo, Alphonso Davies and I most definitely won’t trade saka for Josko Gvardiol and neither Achraf Hakimi. Thanks for taking time to decipher the gibberish. Just my opinion.
But the whole point of my original comment was if you have 2 opposing teams, each playing 433 and someone can’t get into the team because someone in his position is better than him, then by definition he can’t be world class.
So therefore, you can only put Saka against Rodrygo, Vini Jr, Mbappe, and Salah. You could argue the case for Saka against Rodrygo and maybe even Vini Jr, but you cannot compare Saka to someone who operates in an entirely different position!