Across Europe, Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has become one of the most feared centre-backs to face, a defender who can make any striker appear ordinary.
Interestingly, 37-year-old Jamie Vardy did present a tougher challenge than expected for Saliba at the Emirates Stadium recently, a test the Arsenal defender eventually overcame.
Saliba’s progress has reached the point whereby France manager Didier Deschamps can’t even ignore the 23-year-old for the national team.
For a long time, Deschamps didn’t consider Saliba to be in his strongest pairing – a decision that baffled Arsenal fans.
Saliba was winning PFA TOTY awards in the Premier League but was stuck behind Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate for his country, a centre-back who was often rotated by Jurgen Klopp at the time.
That being said, there’s now no disputing the defender’s talent, a player who Mikel Arteta trusts wholeheartedly.
Evan Ferguson says William Saliba is one of the toughest players he’s faced
Of course, it therefore shouldn’t be a surprise that someone like Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson loathes facing Saliba.
Perhaps Ferguson does enjoy the challenge coming up against such formidable talent, but when speaking to ESPN over the break, Ferguson included Saliba in the top three toughest players he’s faced so far in his career.
The Republic of Ireland international also mentioned Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Newcastle United’s Sven Botman.
Ferguson said: “Three toughest? I’d probably go Camavinga, Saliba and Botman of Newcastle.”
Interestingly when prompted to choose one the three, Ferguson actually chose Saliba’s French teammate.
“Camavinga, he’s a joke, he’s everything man.”
Of course, the striker’s choice to include Saliba is particularly interesting given that Arsenal considered a bid to sign £70m-rated Ferguson.
Arsenal might turn to Evan Ferguson if Benjamin Sesko heads elsewhere
Ferguson was on Arsenal’s list heading into deadline day according to reports, a 19-year-old who has burst onto the scene in recent years.
Although, the Brighton striker has struggled with an ankle injury this year which has really stunted his progress.
But should Arsenal look to replace Gabriel Jesus next summer, then perhaps Ferguson may still be on the club’s radar alongside profiles like Benjamin Sesko.
Interested clubs will surely hope that the Irish striker returns to fitness and some kind of form before then, but otherwise that may also present an opportunity to sign the young talent at a reduced price.
And judging by Ferguson’s words, he wouldn’t be too unhappy playing alongside Saliba in north London.
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