Desailly explains why Ibrahima Konate is better than "average" William Saliba

03 November 2023 , 09:31

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France legend Marcel Desailly (Image: Getty Images)

Marcel Desailly says Arsenal defender William Saliba's individual qualities are only above average compared to someone like Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate.

Desailly helped France win the World Cup and the Euros during an illustrious playing career, that also saw him lift major trophies at Marseille, AC Milan and Chelsea. And the legendary centre-back believes Saliba has plenty left to prove if he is to start for France over Dayot Upamecano and Konate.

"Upamecano, and Konate – their association is fabulous," Desailly told Get French Football News. "And more than that – I think that, individually, they maybe have a level above what we saw with [Raphael] Varane and [Samuel] Umtiti.

"But before they can express their individuality at a very high level, their association needs to be good. Then there is the one at Arsenal too [Saliba] – he hasn't yet had the game time to adapt to that necessary association.

"I don't believe his individual qualities to be above average. He's at a very, very high level but not extraordinary. So before absorbing the international level, he needs to acclimatise to those associations.

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"As things stand I don't know how to associate him with Konate or with Upamecano so that he can excel and develop all the talent that he has in him." Saliba has been excellent for Arsenal since returning from a loan spell at Marseille, playing a key role in their Premier League title bid last season.

The 22-year-old was named in the Premier League team of the season and was rewarded with a new long-term contract. Saliba's impressive displays have even led some to suggest he is the best defender in the world.

Desailly says he does not believe William Saliba's "individual qualities to be above average" (Hans van der Valk/Orange Pictures/REX/Shutterstock)

However, Desailly believes the likes of Upamecano and Virgil van Dijk are better than the Gunners star. "I wouldn't say Saliba is the best in the world yet," he told Gambling Zone last month.

"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."

Matthew Cooper