Bukayo Saka remains behind the rival Premier League winger in the race for the Ballon d'Or
Bukayo Saka may “one day” win the Ballon d'Or, but he is still behind a prolific Premier League player to win the 2025 gong.
That is according to Ally McCoist who, despite an Arsenal teammate tipping Saka for the Ballon d'Or, insists Liverpool Mohamed Salah is in a league of its own in the English top flight.
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McCoist joined Sam Matterface on talkSPORT Breakfast, where they discussed Gunners midfielder Jorginho tipping 'world class' Saka to be honored as the best footballer in the world, and end the 23-year wait for a Ballon d'Or winner English.
“(Saka) is incredible… world class,” the Italian international said. said Rio Ferdinand in his podcast. “I told him: 'I want to see you win the Ballon d'Or'. I believe in him.
“He is becoming a machine for us and I hope he is also a machine for England. His talent, his hunger and his quality are very high and, on top of that, the person he is deserves all the praise.” , all. “I'm there cheering him on.”
McCoist has no doubts about Saka's quality and stature as one of the Premier League's best players.
However, he admitted that he believes the 23-year-old striker is not even Arsenal's most important player, although he also feels Liverpool icon Salah is one step above him.
“Yes, without a doubt, one day (he could win the Ballon d'Or), he will be of a different kind,” McCoist said. “It really is, it's fantastic. His statistics are incredible.
“What I would say is, and sometimes Arsenal fans criticize me a bit, I don't think I'm Arsenal's most important player. I think it's Martin Odegaard.
“I think Saka is a wonderful talent, I enjoy watching him but I think the only player they won't be able to do without for several games is, as we have seen, Odegaard.
“I think they have key players everywhere, the goalkeeper, I think the two centre-backs are vital for them. I think Odegaard is the most important player, Declan Rice and that too.
“But I think Saka is fantastic, could he win the Ballon d'Or at some point? He certainly could, but I'll be brutally honest with you, I think at the moment Mo Salah in that position is probably a little bit better.
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“That will cause a bit of chaos. “And that is not a knock in any way on Saka, his form has been excellent and he will continue to do very well and progress, but I think Salah at the moment is at the top of his game.”
Matterface followed McCoist's opinion by questioning whether Saka gets the “headlines he deserves.”
“It's very consistent,” Matterface said.
“He is only 23 years old, he is humble and goes about his business in a very simple way.
“Because he doesn't have the PR polish of some of the other great young talents in this country, I don't think he always gets the recognition he deserves.
“Ten assists in the Premier League at this stage is nothing short of extraordinary. The combination between him and Odegaard, since Odegaard returned, are almost symbiotic.”
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McCoist continued: “Between the two of them (Saka and Odegaard) there is absolutely no doubt that they are vital to any success Arsenal can have this season.
“Just because I'm saying right now, I think Salah, there's no way to line up or attack Saka, Saka could easily go on and win a Ballon d'Or because his football is fantastic and he has more power to him.
“He's at the top of his form and I still think there's improvement in him.”
Saka really has been a formidable force this season, McCoist is not wrong about that.
In all competitions so far this season, he has an impressive seven goals and 11 assists in 18 appearances.
However, Salah's numbers make for even better reading, with the Liverpool player contributing 13 goals and 11 assists in 20 games in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Saka's raw talent was on display at the weekend during Arsenal's trip to West Ham.
Saka assisted twice and scored a penalty in a wild 5-2 Gunners victory.
After scoring from the penalty spot, Saka enjoyed the moment and could be seen looking laugh at Hammers fansexuding confidence.
Salah's current impact at Liverpool has been diluted by rumors of his departure from Anfield in recent weeks.
His contract at Anfield expires in the summer, and there appears to have been little progress with a new deal to keep him at the club – recently admitting in an explosive interview who is “more out than in” right now.
