Jorginho on Saka
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has backed Bukayo Saka to become a future Ballon d’Or winner, provided the 23-year-old England international refines one specific aspect of his game.
Saka has been a standout performer since breaking into Arsenal’s first team in 2018. Now firmly established as one of the Premier League’s most feared attacking players, he concluded last season with a career-best tally of 20 goals across all competitions.
This season, the winger has already registered five goals and ten assists in the league, while contributing two goals and an assist in the UEFA Champions League, where Arsenal currently sit seventh.
Ahead of Arsenal’s midweek clash with Manchester United at the Emirates, Jorginho praised Saka during an appearance on theRio Ferdinand Presents podcast, sponsored by Qatar Airways.
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“Unbelievable… world-class,” Jorginho said of Saka. “I told him, ‘I want to see you win the Ballon d’Or.’ I believe in him, and I hope he believes in himself too.”
Bukayo Saka - Arsenal
Bukayo Saka (Image credit: Getty Images)
The Italian midfielder highlighted Saka’s positional play as an area for growth. “For me, the thing he needs to improve now is his hunger to get into the box when he’s on the weak side. I want to see him scoring headers or getting into positions for crosses from the left. If he does that, he could easily score six or seven more goals a season.”
Despite this constructive criticism, Jorginho was effusive in his praise for Saka, describing him as “a machine” for Arsenal and a vital player for England.
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Jorginho also revealed a lighthearted nickname the Arsenal squad uses for Saka. “In Brazil, we have this joke where we call someone pesudo, which means ‘big foot,’ for bad technique or control,” he explained with a laugh. “We tease him with that nickname, but it’s ironic because he’s the exact opposite—his technique and quality are unbelievable.”
The veteran midfielder added: “Saka is not just an incredible player; he’s a fantastic person. He deserves everything good coming his way. I’m cheering for him to reach the very top.”
Saka’s next opportunity to shine will be on Wednesday night when Arsenal, in pursuit of a fourth consecutive win, take on Manchester United in a key Premier League fixture.
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