Marseille were hammered 4-1 by Nice in the French Cup on Wednesday night, despite taking the lead. GFFN have done a player ratings piece, hammering on-loan Arsenal defender William Saliba – rating him 2/10.
Saliba, 20, has been a mainstay for Marseille this season under Jorge Sampaoli. On the whole, the France Under-21 international has been consistent – whether on the right or in the middle of a back three.
Indeed, the £25million-rated (Jeunes Footeux) defender who is being linked with a move to West Ham has helped Marseille keep 13 clean sheets in 31 games. But on Wednesday night, he was torn to shreds.
Having scored an own goal in the third minute, Nice went on to a massive 4-1 win and book their place in the semi-finals of the Cup. Justin Kluivert starred, getting a brace. GFFN handed Saliba a 2/10 rating, criticising him.
“Started at right-back, but lacked the intensity needed at full-back in such an open game, before moving back to the right of a three at halftime, but was equally at sea in both roles,” GFFN report.
“Needlessly losing possession led to the equaliser, he was caught under the ball which allowed Nice to counter for 3-1 and lost Delort for the fourth. His supreme calmness can go too far and make him appear slow and lethargic.”
Saliba gets 2/10: Arsenal star has been good for most of the season
In the past, where Saliba has spent time on loan at the likes of Nice and St. Etienne, Saliba was lacking consistency and that might have been down to his age. He is yet to make his senior Arsenal debut, and that was why.
But at Marseille, he is starting to put it all together. While there will be the odd howler of a display – given he is still 20 – Saliba is improving and becoming much more consistent. This season, he has been good, overall.
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