Bukayo Saka has the golden opportunity of cementing his status as a world class player amongst the masses in England’s World Cup quarter-final tie against France.
The current perception around Saka
First things first, it is impossible to dislike the Arsenal winger.
The 21-year-old perhaps has the most infectious persona in the game and is one of the most consistent performers for both club and country.
However, it’s safe to say that as things stand, Saka is only considered as a top young player by the masses.
In a recent tweet, Curtis Woodhouse made it clear that the Gunners poster boy is “not outstanding”, but he has only been “good” at the World Cup.
Perhaps said perception exists because of the £33,000-a-week starlet’s age, as many may feel it could be premature to put him alongside some of the very best players in the world.
Or, it may be due to the fact that while the wonderkid has been a class act since bursting onto the scene, he has also been at an Arsenal side that are yet to play Champions League football.
While his fellow English agemates such as Phil Foden, Reece James and Mason Mount have won either the Premier League or the Champions League, Saka is yet to even come close to doing so yet.
A masterclass against France could put him alongside some of the best
However, there is no denying that the youngster is a gem of a player.
And as England perhaps play their most frightening opponents in recent memory in France, there is not a bigger test of which players are really at the upper echelon than against the current defending champions.
At the World Cup quarter-final of all stages, Bukayo Saka’s reputation as a world-class player could be set in stone.
Considering how England are underdogs in their upcoming clash, Saka could turn the doubters into believers if he comes up clutch, as per usual.
While the Arsenal superstar has 3 goals at the World Cup, his strikes have come against Senegal and Iran.
Two quality sides nonetheless but Les Bleus are perhaps the scariest side at the competition, spearheaded by the irresistible Kylian Mbappe.
If the Three Lions manage to bow out of the competition, not a soul would be surprised.
Despite the English possessing some of the finest players in world football, the French have a superior side on paper as well as on the pitch.
In such circumstances, for Bukayo Saka to stand up tall and lead England to a potential World Cup semi-final berth would guarantee the masses to dub him as “world class.”
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