Bukayo Saka continues to impress for Arsenal time and time again
Bukayo Saka continues to impress for Arsenal time and time again
Rio Ferdinand and Jorginho have highlighted one area in particular in which Bukayo Saka needs to improve if he wants to claim a Ballon d'Or.
The Arsenal star and the former Manchester United discussed Saka's rise to greatness and how much he has impressed under Mikel Arteta. He's already got seven goals and 11 assists in all competitions this season.
Jorginho couldn't speak more highly of his team-mate, whom he has the utmost faith in. But given his relative youth, still aged 23, he acknowleged that there's a next level to unlock.
Ferdinand asked him what exactly it is that he needs to develop. And Jorginho picked out the element where he can see room for improvement.
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Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the host questioned: "What is special? If you look at his attributes and you break him down as a player, what do you go 'That is something that sets him apart from the rest of the Premier League' or 'That's the elite, that's Ballon d'Or'. What is it?"
To which Jorginho explained: "Because before he was going with the left foot, now he's going on the right foot." Ferdinand added: "That's what I was saying last season. I want to see something different, can you go on the right side? Can you be unpredictable more? And he seems like every summer he's bringing something new. That work ethic is crazy as well."
Jorginho then explained: "And for me now, the thing he needs to go more now is his hunger to get in the box when he's on the weak side." Ferdinand again agreed: "See, now we're speaking the same language." Jorginho went on: "I want to see headers from him, crosses from the left side." Before Ferdinand estimated: "He can get six, seven more goals."
Jorginho then explained that it's the one area that he currently lacks in, especially when the ball is on the other side of the pitch, before Ferdinand noted that it's an incredibly tough task for wingers to come closer. He explained: "They're always been told 'Stay wide, stay wide'.
Jorginho became Saka's team-mate at Arsenal last year
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Image:
Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
"And then when the ball is on the opposite side and the other winger is going to cross it, you have to get in and close the post off." Jorginho interrupted: "Honestly, I think it's more their own thing - it's not from coaches - because this thing 'Stay wide, stay wide' every coach says, but when we are in the build-up.
"I never saw any coach saying when the ball is on the other side to stay wide. No one said that, it's just because naturally they want to be wide to get the ball at their feet and go one against one, you know? But all the coaches they go 'No, opposite side needs to get there'."
Ferdinand added: "It's concentration and it's hard work." Jorginho replied: "Yeah, for sure. For sure. Just focus and the habit as well. The habit of getting there - 'I'm going to get in there' and then you get used to it."
Saka kicked off his youth career at Watford before making the move to Arsenal in 2008 - working his way through the academy over the next 10 years and signing his first professional contract with the club in 2018. In the years since, the youngster has been imperative in Arsenal's drive to clinch their first Premier League title since the 2003/04 season - narrowly missing out to Manchester City in the 2023/24 campaign by just two points.
Since making his first-team debut, Saka has scored 65 goals and nabbed 61 assists in 244 games across all competitions, and continues to be one of Arteta's first names on the team sheet. He has also scored 12 goals in 43 appearances for England since his debut in 2020.
At the time of writing, the Gunners sit second in the league standings, nine points behind Liverpool courtesy of seven wins, four draws and two losses. However, they will hope to bridge the gap ever so slightly on Wednesday evening when they clash with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
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