Rio Ferdinand and Jorginho have identified an aspect of Bukayo Saka's game that he must enhance if he aspires to win the Ballon d'Or one day.
The Arsenal sensation and the ex-Manchester United defender engaged about Saka's trajectory towards becoming an elite player and his standout performances under Mikel Arteta's guidance. This season, he has bagged seven goals and notched 11 assists in all competitions.
Jorginho praised his colleague profusely, putting great confidence in his abilities. However, taking into account Saka's young age of just 23, he recognised that there are more levels for the winger to reach. In an episode of 'Rio Ferdinand Presents,' Ferdinand said: "What is special? If you look at his [Saka's] 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?"
Jorginho responded by pointing out an area of versatility Saka had improved: "Because before he was going with the left foot, now he's going on the right foot," reports the Mirror. Ferdinand agreed: "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 added: "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," while Ferdinand agreed: "See, now we're speaking the same language."
The midfielder continued: "I want to see headers from him, crosses from the left side," while Ferdinand estimated that Saka could get "six, seven more goals," by doing so. Jorginho then pointed out that this is one area where he currently falls short, particularly when the ball is on the opposite side of the pitch.
Ferdinand noted that it's a challenging task for wingers to make runs into the box, as they're often instructed to stay wide. He explained: "They're always told 'Stay wide, stay wide'." But Jorginho disagreed with the assessment, adding: "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."
Jorginho argued that coaches don't explicitly tell wingers to stay wide when the ball is on the opposite side. Instead, it's a natural tendency for wingers to want to stay wide and receive the ball at their feet, allowing them to take on their opponent one-on-one.
Ferdinand added that it ultimately comes down to concentration and hard work before Jorginho agreed: "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's journey in football began at Watford before he transitioned to Arsenal in 2008.
Jorginho joined Arsenal last year
Jorginho joined Arsenal last year (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Over the next decade, he climbed through the academy ranks and inked his first professional contract with the Gunners in 2018. Since then, the young talent has been instrumental in Arsenal's quest for their first Premier League crown since the 2003/04 season. They came agonisingly close in the 2023/24 season, finishing just two points behind Manchester City.
Since stepping onto the pitch for the first team, Saka has netted 65 goals and provided 61 assists in 244 matches across all competitions, making him a regular fixture in Arteta's starting line-up. He has also made an impact on the international stage, scoring 12 times in 43 outings for England since his debut in 2020.
Arsenal are currently second in the league table, trailing Liverpool by nine points after securing seven victories, four draws, and suffering two defeats. They'll be looking to close that gap slightly when they face off against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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