William Saliba says he can’t be considered the world’s best defender until he’s won major trophies.
Establishing himself as a regular for Arsenal and France, the 23-year-old has collected a series of personal accolades in the last three years, including Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year, two inclusions in the PFA Team of the Year and a place in the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament. However, a lack of silverware clearly irks him.
“The last two seasons I’ve made a good step, especially last season,” the Frenchman told Fox Sports Mexico.
“I’ve worked hard to maybe become the best defender in the world. I think I am one of the best at the moment, but to say that I have to win some titles. I think that is what I am missing right now.
“If you win titles you are good and if you don’t, you can’t say you are the best. That’s what I believe. I am one of the best in the world,” he said.
🚨 'QUEREMOS COMPETIR ANTE EL MANCHESTER CITY COMO LO HEMOS HECHO LAS ÚLTIMAS DOS TEMPORADAS, PERO DEBEMOS HACER MÁS'
William Saliba habló de la competencia con el City, previo a su partido de este fin de semana ⚽
🎙 @RicardoSalesE, @christianelguea#LaPremierxPREMIUM pic.twitter.com/VO0JX51U1d
— CENTRAL FOX MX (@CentralFOXMX) September 17, 2024
One of the markers by which Saliba can measure his progress is his ability to lock down the best attackers in the world. And right now, they don’t come much more threatening than Erling Haaland, who he’ll renew acquaintances with on Sunday when Arsenal visit the Etihad.
The Norway international has scored 12 goals in four games to help City to the top of the table; form that has left the Gunners laughing.
Having prevented the striker from having a shot on target in two encounters last season, Saliba is hoping for more of the same.
“He is a great player. One of the best in the world. It is difficult to play against him but last season we gave everything to stop him and others from scoring and they didn’t succeed,” noted Saliba.
And on going toe-to-toe with City he added: “Of course we want to compete against Manchester City like we have done in the last two seasons but we know we have to do more.
“As I said, we have to compete against City but we also have to do it against other teams because it is not just about City.
“If you win against them but not against the others it doesn’t mean anything. So, of course we want to win this weekend and we will give everything to win but it’s not the end on Sunday.”
Let’s hope he wins them here (he has been very close) rather than feel he has to move to Madrid or similar….
Sure. One could see these comments as a little given the stories going about, but actually I think most of the squad will share this mentality. Let’s harness it and start winning the trophies
My impression is that Saliba absolutely intends to win the league with Arsenal and is psychologically committed to that effort. I would worry about him going to Madrid only after we do that (and if Mbappe is still at Madrid). I don’t have any inside information obviously, but it’s just how I read him. And, truthfully, if we lose him when he is 28 or 29 and he has helped us win two or three titles, I will not hold it against him.
Easier to win trophies at Madrid. Even Danny Ceballos has some there. He is a long way from being the best midfielder so it’s a crude measure!
Or go to Bayern Munich, they win year after year so guaranteed if you haven’t ever won a trophy that you will in your first season there…
Try telling a certain Mr Kane that… ha
That was the point…incredible how someone that prolific has no trophies (obviously apart from being at Sp*rs).
😂😂😂
i am quite confused with Haaland, he clearly can score goals, so he’s a threat, but when i think of great strikers of any era, i cant place him. When you compare him to his peer like Mbappe, he seems far more limited. perhpas im wrong.
I also think young Big Willy is being unfair to himself, some players have won little to nothing but considers the best, i do love his ambitions and attitude
Haaland is superhumanly good at one thing (scoring goals), which happens to be pretty important in this sport. The combination of size, timing, and technical ability is wild.
Yeah don’t worry this year you end up with a EPL medal on your neck, doo dooo doooo
Sounds ominous with his contract running down. We need to win something this year to keep the club going forward.
I mean technically every players’ contract is “running down”, time is the great leveler afterall. However, isn’t Billy signed up until 2027?
2027 means he’s in ‘last 2 years’ territory next summer = time to make a decision
So in a year from now he’ll be in the last two years of his contract…gotcha…
Yup. That’s the way it works.
You’re right, although 2 years at the end of this season is when a club look to renew in order to keep maximum value.
I think he wants Arsenal, but when a player gets to mid 20s they want to see a path to trophies.
To win our last FA Cup, we beat them. Winning the league is same although based on a point system.
I don’t think Haaland has scored 12 goals in 4 games, but 9 is quite enough.
Oh no… Words I was dreading to hear.
Uh oh. This just became a Patrick Vieira situation.
Wait a minute. Did AA award Haaland a bonus hat-trick?
I used to call myself the Best front of tities without titles.
In other news.
Ex Arsenal boy, JET has been arrested at Stansted airport, with 600k worth of weed in 2 suitcases
JET deserves his day in court before he is criticised.
Of course he does