benjamin86
Established Member
Nice write up on him by GFNF
https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/assets/The-GFFN-100-2019-Desktop.pdf
2019 has seen William Saliba transition from a promising youngster into one of the hottest prospects in world football. The defender has seemed to improve with every game despite some frustrating setbacks with injury. For a player who had only made seven senior appearances prior to January, sealing a €30m move to Arsenal at just 18 is testament not only to Saliba’s talent, but also to his sheer determination to make it to the top, with his former youth coach Fabio Frasconi telling Eurosport, “He wasn’t necessarily better than everyone else, but I’ve never seen a kid who wanted to become a pro footballer more.”
The year began with the young centre-back having to bide his time, competing against experienced defenders Neven Subotić and club captain Loïc Perrin for a place in the starting XI. St Étienne looked to be fading in the New Year following a tremendous start to the campaign, dropping out of the European qualification places. In March, Jean-Louis Gasset had Saliba cover for Perrin against Lille, who boasted one of the league’s most devastating attacks. Despite starting his first match since early January, Saliba expertly demonstrated his natural tackling and ability to read the game by dealing with the energy and pace of Lille’s red-hot attacking unit, and was instrumental in keeping them out until the 87th minute. Though St Étienne suffered defeat, the youngster had offered up a commanding display, and shown Gasset enough to warrant a starting berth.
Aided by injuries and a tactical reshuffle, with Gasset often opting for a back three, Saliba became an important player for the side. He demonstrated his versatility and starred out of position at right-back in Les Verts’ 5-0 routing of Caen, the catalyst game for Sainté’s strong end to the season. He was vital in Les Verts losing just once in their final ten matches of the campaign. Delivering a string of performances belying his age, Saliba was especially crucial in a 2-0 win over fellow European qualification chasers Reims, recovering the ball eight times over the course of the match. The side’s 2-0 victory over Toulouse on a weekend which saw the 18 year-old play with the senior team instead of the U19s in the final of the Coupe Gambardella, was evidence that Saliba had truly outgrown youth football, not just physically but also mentally.
Indeed, Saliba’s maturity is perhaps his most admirable trait. His progress in this domain has been perfectly encapsulated by teammate Loïc Perrin, telling L’Équipe, “When he arrived in the dressing room of the pros, he was reserved, but now he’s started joking about with us. On the 2nd of May, we celebrated the U19s winning the Gambardella and before joining them, William let out in a serious tone, “Come on, let’s celebrate the kids’ achievement.” It was funny, because only recently he was playing for them…” This season, it was the 18 year-old who led the post-match celebrations after Sainté beat Lyon in the derby in October. Ex-coach Frasconi was also keen to point out that, despite his recent success and big money move, “he has never changed, and that is a sign of enormous maturity.”
A key factor for his development on and off the field has been working under Jean-Louis Gasset, a coach with vast experience and tactical nous, who gradually eased the 18-year old into life as a professional. Gasset’s influence is not lost on Saliba, telling the LFP, “He taught me to be a man.” The youngster signed a new deal with St Étienne in April, but after intense speculation over his future, he joined Arsenal, with Les Verts receiving their highest ever transfer fee in the process. Over the summer, Saliba was unfortunately injured in the build-up to the U20 World Cup. He has so far only been able to make one appearance at this level, during a friendly win over Argentina’s U20 side in March.
Loaned back to Les Verts for this season, injuries have unfortunately persisted, limiting Saliba to just seven appearances. His first start in the league did not come until October 6th. Prior to that, the club’s form had been abysmal, and coach Ghislain Printant had been sacked and replaced by Claude Puel. Drafted in for Puel’s first match in charge, Saliba looked as if he had been playing all season as his side conquered bitter rivals Lyon for the first time in over two years. In fact, Saliba has arguably looked better than ever under Puel, putting in monstrous defensive displays against Bordeaux, Amiens and Monaco recently.
Nevertheless, Saliba again finds himself on the treatment table after suffering a metatarsal injury in early November. It will take some time to be back up and running in 2019. His raw technical and physical characteristics are so impressive that fitness seems the most urgent area that the youngster must address. Saliba has shown this year that he has the talent to make it to the pinnacle of the game. Injuries will be a concern, but when fit he is a force to be reckoned with. Given Arsenal’s struggles this season, he already looks to have the quality to make an impact for the Gunners, despite his tender age. We’ve not seen anyone like this since Raphaël Varane.
https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/assets/The-GFFN-100-2019-Desktop.pdf
2019 has seen William Saliba transition from a promising youngster into one of the hottest prospects in world football. The defender has seemed to improve with every game despite some frustrating setbacks with injury. For a player who had only made seven senior appearances prior to January, sealing a €30m move to Arsenal at just 18 is testament not only to Saliba’s talent, but also to his sheer determination to make it to the top, with his former youth coach Fabio Frasconi telling Eurosport, “He wasn’t necessarily better than everyone else, but I’ve never seen a kid who wanted to become a pro footballer more.”
The year began with the young centre-back having to bide his time, competing against experienced defenders Neven Subotić and club captain Loïc Perrin for a place in the starting XI. St Étienne looked to be fading in the New Year following a tremendous start to the campaign, dropping out of the European qualification places. In March, Jean-Louis Gasset had Saliba cover for Perrin against Lille, who boasted one of the league’s most devastating attacks. Despite starting his first match since early January, Saliba expertly demonstrated his natural tackling and ability to read the game by dealing with the energy and pace of Lille’s red-hot attacking unit, and was instrumental in keeping them out until the 87th minute. Though St Étienne suffered defeat, the youngster had offered up a commanding display, and shown Gasset enough to warrant a starting berth.
Aided by injuries and a tactical reshuffle, with Gasset often opting for a back three, Saliba became an important player for the side. He demonstrated his versatility and starred out of position at right-back in Les Verts’ 5-0 routing of Caen, the catalyst game for Sainté’s strong end to the season. He was vital in Les Verts losing just once in their final ten matches of the campaign. Delivering a string of performances belying his age, Saliba was especially crucial in a 2-0 win over fellow European qualification chasers Reims, recovering the ball eight times over the course of the match. The side’s 2-0 victory over Toulouse on a weekend which saw the 18 year-old play with the senior team instead of the U19s in the final of the Coupe Gambardella, was evidence that Saliba had truly outgrown youth football, not just physically but also mentally.
Indeed, Saliba’s maturity is perhaps his most admirable trait. His progress in this domain has been perfectly encapsulated by teammate Loïc Perrin, telling L’Équipe, “When he arrived in the dressing room of the pros, he was reserved, but now he’s started joking about with us. On the 2nd of May, we celebrated the U19s winning the Gambardella and before joining them, William let out in a serious tone, “Come on, let’s celebrate the kids’ achievement.” It was funny, because only recently he was playing for them…” This season, it was the 18 year-old who led the post-match celebrations after Sainté beat Lyon in the derby in October. Ex-coach Frasconi was also keen to point out that, despite his recent success and big money move, “he has never changed, and that is a sign of enormous maturity.”
A key factor for his development on and off the field has been working under Jean-Louis Gasset, a coach with vast experience and tactical nous, who gradually eased the 18-year old into life as a professional. Gasset’s influence is not lost on Saliba, telling the LFP, “He taught me to be a man.” The youngster signed a new deal with St Étienne in April, but after intense speculation over his future, he joined Arsenal, with Les Verts receiving their highest ever transfer fee in the process. Over the summer, Saliba was unfortunately injured in the build-up to the U20 World Cup. He has so far only been able to make one appearance at this level, during a friendly win over Argentina’s U20 side in March.
Loaned back to Les Verts for this season, injuries have unfortunately persisted, limiting Saliba to just seven appearances. His first start in the league did not come until October 6th. Prior to that, the club’s form had been abysmal, and coach Ghislain Printant had been sacked and replaced by Claude Puel. Drafted in for Puel’s first match in charge, Saliba looked as if he had been playing all season as his side conquered bitter rivals Lyon for the first time in over two years. In fact, Saliba has arguably looked better than ever under Puel, putting in monstrous defensive displays against Bordeaux, Amiens and Monaco recently.
Nevertheless, Saliba again finds himself on the treatment table after suffering a metatarsal injury in early November. It will take some time to be back up and running in 2019. His raw technical and physical characteristics are so impressive that fitness seems the most urgent area that the youngster must address. Saliba has shown this year that he has the talent to make it to the pinnacle of the game. Injuries will be a concern, but when fit he is a force to be reckoned with. Given Arsenal’s struggles this season, he already looks to have the quality to make an impact for the Gunners, despite his tender age. We’ve not seen anyone like this since Raphaël Varane.
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