Arsenal star William Saliba started for France for the third game in a row at Euro 2024.
Les Bleus haven’t looked like their usual selves in the European Championships so far. They haven’t lost a game yet, but they’ve finished second in their group – behind Austria.
That’s not ideal at all if you’re Didier Deschamps, but there are still a few positives to take from his side’s three fixtures in the group stage.
Saliba’s performances are definitely one of them.
France’s media reacts to William Saliba’s performance vs Poland at Euro 2024
Before Euro 2024 began, nobody expected Saliba to be a regular starter for France.
The Arsenal man was one of the best defenders in the Premier League in the 2023/24 campaign. He was unbelievable for them all season.
However, everyone believed Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate would get the nod over Saliba because Deschamps has always preferred him over the Arsenal star.
However, the France boss decided to go with Saliba in his side’s Euro 2024 opener, and the Gunners defender has been a mainstay since.
Saliba is going from strength to strength every game, and he was fantastic for Les Bleus in the left side of central defence against Poland on Tuesday.
Media outlets in France have raved about Saliba’s display, and we expect him to stay in the side for the rest of the tournament – irrespective of what Konate does in training.
Goal France gave Saliba a 7/10 rating and wrote: “Another big match of the former player of Marseille. Solid defensively, he disgusted the opposing attackers.
“Very clean, the Gunner has again made a perfect match tonight and is well off to settle in the defence of the French national team.”
RMC Sport rated him 7/10 and said: “He has a little more confidence in every game. His ball driving is less hesitant. His interventions are effective and clean. He could take a little more risk to show its quality of recovery.
FootMercato gave Saliba a 6/10 rating and wrote: “In the central defence, the Arsenal player responded. There were a few situations where he wasn’t always in a good position in the first half, but he recovered well afterwards.
“We have also often seen him leave his area to intervene, most of the time brilliantly. With the ball he was very clean.”
Saliba’s stats vs Poland are very impressive
Saliba was extremely calm and assured at the back for France against Poland.
The Frenchman played the full 90 minutes and had 60 touches of the ball. He attempted 51 passes and completed 48 of them, maintaining a very impressive 94 per cent passing accuracy.
Saliba also made one interception and six clearances. Poland’s attackers tried, but the Arsenal man wasn’t dribbled past a single time in the entire game (SofaScore).
France are through to the next round of the competition, and games will be tougher from now. However, if Saliba continues to play as well as he has done, Les Bleus will fancy their chances to go all the way.