Float like a butterfly and sting like B

Last week, Rio Ferdinand indulged in some pretty pub bore level analysis (what else is new?) in his assessment that Phil Foden can be considered ‘world class’ (whatever that actually means) while Bukayo Saka cannot yet claim this arbitrary and fictional crown.

Both players currently sit on nine non-penalty goals and seven assists for the season (Saka has also notched four penalties to take his goal total to 13). Saka averages 0.85 goal contributions per 90 over his career, with Foden on 0.70 goal contributions per 90.

Now, one should not take the utterances of Rio Ferdinand seriously. However, his assertion certainly touched a nerve with Arsenal fans who feel Saka is serially under-valued, culminating in Rio enduring a flight to Porto that, even by the standards of Ryanair, would be considered uncomfortable.

Ferdinand often deliberately cultivates engagement for his opinions but he did get to the heart of something with his insistence that Saka could not yet be described as ‘world class.’ Since there is no consensus on what that term even means I think it’s a fool’s errand to debate but I think it did expose that Saka is a player who, strangely, flies under the radar a little.

At least, the extent of his talent flies under the radar. I think this is true because I know that I under value Bukayo Saka too. I mean, I know he is good and have always known that. I think I have always known he is a potential world beater; but I completely admit that sometimes I look at his numbers for any given season and find myself surprised.

Saka has a brilliance that I think does kind of wash over you. I am minded of his international explosion during Euro 2021. He only just made it into the England squad for that tournament. Mason Greenwood withdrew at the 11th hour and Saka was handed the number 25 shirt by Gareth Southgate.

With Foden, Grealish, Rashford, Sterling and Sancho also in the squad, Saka was not involved in the first two games at the Euros. Squad sizes…

Source link : https://arseblog.com/2024/02/bukayo-saka-float-like-a-butterfly-sting-like-a-bee/

Author : Tim Stillman

Publish date : 2024-02-29 13:00:37

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