Marcel Desailly rows back on William Saliba criticism | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively to Get French Football News back in November 2023, former France international Marcel Desailly was critical of Arsenal defender William Saliba (24). He has now rowed back on those comments.

“Upamecano, and Konaté – their association is fabulous. And more than that – I think that, individually, they maybe have a level above what we saw with Varane and Umtiti. But before they can express their individuality at a very high level, their association needs to be good,” Desailly told GFFN.

He added, “Then there is the one at Arsenal too (William 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. 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.”

A regular for an Arsenal side top of the Premier League and now a guaranteed starter in Didier Deschamps’ France team, Desailly has revisited his stance. 

‘France are so lucky to have Saliba’ – Desailly

“I have to apologise to William Saliba, because I never saw this level of performance coming,” he said. “I looked at him when he first joined Arsenal and I didn’t see him becoming a world-class player – that was a huge misjudgement! He has shown leadership, consistency and he has such a high ceiling; we haven’t even seen the best of him yet,” Desailly told Card Player.

“I’m so proud of him, especially with how he’s cemented himself into Mikel Arteta’s system and become a crucial player for them. The club was desperate for leaders a few years ago, and Saliba is now part of the leadership group there. He’s helped take the Gunners to the next level and allowed them to challenge for major trophies.”

“France are so lucky to have him too; they can rely on a brilliant centre-back in him at the upcoming World Cup. He’s a really valuable asset to both his club and country, and I look forward to seeing how good he can become.”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle