Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his opinion that Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka, despite being one of the most thrilling players in the Premier League, does not possess the status of being “world-class”. The 22-year-old has become a regular in Mikel Arteta’s squad since the Spanish coach took charge at the Emirates Stadium, and the English star has emerged as one of the top wingers in the global football scene. At such a young age, Saka has already made 210 appearances for the North London club, scoring 51 goals and providing 53 assists for his teammates. The Arsenal player showcased his skills once again in the Gunners’ 6-0 triumph over West Ham on Sunday, netting two goals to bring his tally for the season to 13 in all competitions. Nevertheless, Ferdinand’s opinion remains that Saka is not yet at the level of being “world-class”. During an episode of Vibe with FIVE, Ferdinand stated, “Not yet. Listen, I think Saka has been exceptional. I actually believe he needs some rest, considering the number of games he has played at such a young age. But when it comes to defining what is truly world-class, he has not yet demonstrated his abilities in the crucial stages of the Champions League. Saka is undoubtedly outstanding, but he has not yet reached the level of being world-class.” Despite Ferdinand’s claim, Saka, who became the youngest player in over 40 years to reach 50 goals for Arsenal, will continue to make history at the North London club. It is clear that Ferdinand’s statement is peculiar, as the 22-year-old player has undeniably proven his world-class abilities on multiple occasions throughout his short career.
According to the Source caughtoffside.com