Three months before the European Championships in Germany, France gaffer, Didier Deschamps, was rather critical of a certain William Saliba, explaining why he wasn’t a regular for the French national team,
“He is having a good season, but he also does things that I don’t like so much. For France, he has limited game time, but when he plays, that hasn’t necessarily gone well. The hierarchy doesn’t favour him at the moment, but he is here. Dayot Upamecano has had game time and perhaps William has had less. With certain players, I make sure to persevere, because it can be confidence or little blockages that can shift. Some don’t have any concerns, some need game time. William has had less game time, so that doesn’t allow him to be very calm.”
After reviewing these comments, I concluded that Deschamps was living under a rock with no access to internet and cable TV, because anybody with two working eyes would know that Saliba is among the most elite center backs in Europe. Looking at the supposed pecking order, there was no way that the likes of Dayot Upamecano, Ibrahima Konate and Lucas Hernandez were above him, but we waited to see what was going to happen in the tournament proper.
Common sense finally prevailed, as Saliba started alongside Upamecano to become one of the meanest defenses in the tournament, racking up four clean sheets in the six games they played. His numbers, via the Squawka Comparison Matrix, were monster, to say the least.
France will be disappointed to have lost at the semifinal hurdle to Spain, but Saliba rightly earned his place in the Euros Team of the Tournament, which is a testament of his amazing ability in the game. He would take some time off to recharge his batteries ahead of what will prove to be a grueling campaign, but I’m so elated to know that he’s playing for Arsenal. Saliba’s partnership with Gabriel last season was telepathic and they contributed to allowing David Raya win the Golden Gloves, as they racked up clean sheets with reckless abandon.
Moving to Arsenal news, departures were confirmed yesterday as Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga moved out on loan, with hopes to make the deals permanent, but more departures seemed imminent, as Fulham placed a reported bid of £25 million for Emile Smith Rowe, which was rejected by Arsenal. It is believed that Arsenal is holding out for £40 million for their asset. Smith Rowe is somewhat lost the trust of his gaffer and has found games hard to come by, and it was only a matter of time before he was heading to the departure door.
We will keep tracking this progress and see how it pans out.
Sayonara.
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