Rashford vs Saka vs Foden: The English Starboy Trinity

[Red in STL]

I dont think its fair to get Rashford in the same category as Foden and Saka. Foden and Saka are still youngsters while Rashford is a consolidated player.

After saying this I think Saka is clearly the one with the highest potential. Foden is an excelent promise player as well but Saka's pace and physicality are superior.

I see Foden clearly shinning under Pep's system but I'm not sure if he could/will be able to sustain the same level in another set up or with another coach. He's an hybrid between an 8 and a winger but he lacks explosiveness so he relies in a system like City's that allows him to be high up the pitch with possession rather than having to outpace his defender to get there.

While Saka ticks all the boxes, so he can pretty much shine under any system IMO.

I don't know what Foden's best position is but it isn't a winger

 

[mancan92]

He's become a consistent performer in a good Arsenal team.

Foden is that bit better at everything and Rashford, when actually in form, is more direct and aggressive than him. Saka is one of the players that does everything well but never strikes fear into an opponent.

Huh?

 

[dabronxolivera]

Well surely you could play Rashford and Saka either side of Kane and Foden as CAM?

This. 4231 with Bellingham and Rice sitting on the base. But it's Sir Gareth so he will stick with Phillips, Sterling, and others. Dont tell me that lineup cannot win at least one intl tournament.

 

[11101]

Huh?

Just don't get the hype with Saka.

 

[KirkDuyt]

Think Saka is the most exciting, but like all youngsters he might drop of a bit. Rashford seems to be the most effective and I just cannot, for the life of me look past that crazy person young people's haircut Foden has. Only hope for the Stockport Iniesta is to go bad as early as the real one.

 

[Nish115]

Just don't get the hype with Saka.

What's not to get?

 

[11101]

What's not to get?

Foden and Rashford are better in front of goal, even though Rashford has his periods where he cant hit a barn door.
Foden is better supporting the attack. Saka has good assists this season as Arsenal have been very good, but in any other year Foden beats him despite rarely playing in his best position. He is also better at the interlinking play City's forwards specialise in.
Rashford is more direct and better at getting in behind defenders.

For me, Saka is a good player who will be hyped to the hills for a couple of years before coming back down to earth. A bit like Raheem Sterling was.

 

[mancan92]

Foden and Rashford are better in front of goal, even though Rashford has his periods where he cant hit a barn door.
Foden is better supporting the attack. Saka has good assists this season as Arsenal have been very good, but in any other year Foden beats him despite rarely playing in his best position. He is also better at the interlinking play City's forwards specialise in.
Rashford is more direct and better at getting in behind defenders.

For me, Saka is a good player who will be hyped to the hills for a couple of years before coming back down to earth. A bit like Raheem Sterling was.

Sterling only came back to earth after playing at a high level for many years. His peak was extremely high and at times played to a world class level. If you are saying saka will be that then he would of had a fantastic career and would of been a vital cog in one of the best teams the premier league has seen.

I feel you maybe haven't watched much of saka. Firstly his actual football brain is better than both of them thats why he can and has played multiple positions in completely areas of the pitch all to very high levels. His decision making is also incredibly high he rarely makes the wrong decision.

Then he has extremely good physical assets. Rashford maybe slightly faster but thats a guess because saka has shown he is very fast aswell. His game isnt as flashy as rashford but his technique is actually superior. Fantastic touch and doesn't actually need to do random tricks because his manipulation of the ball is of a very high level.

 

[Nish115]

Foden and Rashford are better in front of goal, even though Rashford has his periods where he cant hit a barn door.
Foden is better supporting the attack. Saka has good assists this season as Arsenal have been very good, but in any other year Foden beats him despite rarely playing in his best position. He is also better at the interlinking play City's forwards specialise in.
Rashford is more direct and better at getting in behind defenders.

For me, Saka is a good player who will be hyped to the hills for a couple of years before coming back down to earth. A bit like Raheem Sterling was.

They are both better infront of goal, agreed although Saka is improving with that.

Saka is a better dribbler, better 1vs1, better crosser, better with his weak foot, better defender, better IQ, better at using his body, and also seems to be more switched on.

If Saka was as quick as Rashford, i'm pretty sure people would be saying he's a top 5 winger in the world. Whilst Saka has pace he isn't rapid, which is partly what holds him a little back, but the rest of his game is class and only improving.

 

[adexkola]

Sterling only came back to earth after playing at a high level for many years. His peak was extremely high and at times played to a world class level. If you are saying saka will be that then he would of had a fantastic career and would of been a vital cog in one of the best teams the premier league has seen.

I feel you maybe haven't watched much of saka. Firstly his actual football brain is better than both of them thats why he can and has played multiple positions in completely areas of the pitch all to very high levels. His decision making is also incredibly high he rarely makes the wrong decision.

Then he has extremely good physical assets. Rashford maybe slightly faster but thats a guess because saka has shown he is very fast aswell. His game isnt as flashy as rashford but his technique is actually superior. Fantastic touch and doesn't actually need to do random tricks because his manipulation of the ball is of a very high level.

Some people just never rated Sterling. "Only great because of the system". That kind of crap.

 

[RunTheTrap]

Some people just never rated Sterling. "Only great because of the system". That kind of crap.

Are people still going to discredit Sterling. He’s had a great career and was a key member in City’s success over the years. Genuine question, but why do people still not rate Sterling? I know he’s having a tough time at Chelsea, but I just feel like people have never liked Sterling for one reason or another. I thought he was England's best performer in the Euros.

 

[Doracle]

Are people still going to discredit Sterling. He’s had a great career and was a key member in City’s success over the years. Genuine question, but why do people still not rate Sterling? I know he’s having a tough time at Chelsea, but I just feel like people have never liked Sterling for one reason or another. I thought he was England's best performer in the Euros.

Probably because he misses a lot of chances and has fairly woeful finishing technique. His movement is absolutely elite though and he really should have been kept ahead of Grealish - he’s a much better fit for City.

 

[Red in STL]

This. 4231 with Bellingham and Rice sitting on the base. But it's Sir Gareth so he will stick with Phillips, Sterling, and others. Dont tell me that lineup cannot win at least one intl tournament.

Why on earth would you waste Bellingham as a sitting midfielder?

 

[adexkola]

Probably because he misses a lot of chances and has fairly woeful finishing technique. His movement is absolutely elite though and he really should have been kept ahead of Grealish - he’s a much better fit for City.

His missed chances were not outrageous compared to others, judging by stats. He was average at finishing, not horrible. The nature of his misses though... They could be bewildering.

I think his utility for City decreased as teams stopped giving City that space he and Sane loved to tear into. Plus he's getting older. I think Pep would have loved to keep him but Sterling wanted to start.

 

[RunTheTrap]

Probably because he misses a lot of chances and has fairly woeful finishing technique. His movement is absolutely elite though and he really should have been kept ahead of Grealish - he’s a much better fit for City.

I don’t think it’s fair to judge players on just one attribute. Yes his finishing is bad, but he brings a lot other things to the table. I think Sterling along with Shaw are the two most underrated players in the England squad.

 

[RunTheTrap]

He's become a consistent performer in a good Arsenal team.

Foden is that bit better at everything and Rashford, when actually in form, is more direct and aggressive than him. Saka is one of the players that does everything well but never strikes fear into an opponent.

I had to come back to this because of Luke Shaw’s performance yesterday. Saka definitely strikes fear into fullbacks.

 

[11101]

I had to come back to this because of Luke Shaw’s performance yesterday. Saka definitely strikes fear into fullbacks.

Shaw sat off him because thats what you do when you face a quick player, and because he wasn't getting help from Rashford. He was content to jockey Saka all the way into the box because he wasn't doing much when he got there.

 

[Doracle]

Shaw sat off him because thats what you do when you face a quick player, and because he wasn't getting help from Rashford. He was content to jockey Saka all the way into the box because he wasn't doing much when he got there.

Shaw is one of the best fullbacks in the world and I thought did a decent job on Saka yesterday (the problem was that Eriksen was tasked with doubling up on him - not Rashford - and wasn’t really up to the job). However, I don’t understand how anyone can watch that match and not appreciate that Saka is a very special player.

 

[Desert Eagle]

Yeah Saka looks like he might become the best player out of the three at the moment. Rashford is playing really well right now too. Foden is having a low period right now but I don't expect that to continue.

 

[bosnian_red]

Saka > Rashford > Foden for me

Foden is a positionless player. People think he'll be a 10, but pep has never used him as one (and he's had chances). Saka is a more talented player for me and this season is having a more impactful season than Foden has ever had. Rashford this season as well has been excellent and I don't think Foden has shown the level previously that Rashford has this season.

For England, it'll be wasted anyway due to Southgate, but it's been a no brainer to use Rashford on the left and Saka on the right. Both would balance Kane perfectly, but anyway. But Southgate wouldn't know how to make it work properly so it's for nothing.

 

[MayosNoun]

Those 3 behind Kane in a 4231 formation works pretty easily.

Rice and Bellingham as the two also works pretty easily.

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Those 3 behind Kane in a 4231 formation works pretty easily.

Rice and Bellingham as the two also works pretty easily.

Nah mate. Sterling, Phillips, Mount... Holy trinity.

 

[Doracle]

Nah mate. Sterling, Phillips, Mount... Holy trinity.

Got to find room for Hendo as well.

 

[Dirty Schwein]

Got to find room for Hendo as well.

Of course!

 

[giorno]

This "Foden doesn't play in his best position" assumption needs to get canned. In a way, it's also a perfect encapsulation of why the english keep being disappointed at international level

The guy is being coached by one of the most brilliant and knowledgeable coaches ever. He's one of the best forwards in the world, has been for at least 2-3 years now. And he keeps being played as a wide forward. Maybe it's time people accept that is indeed his best role

 

[Pintu]

This trio will win the WC one day.

 

[cyberman]

Foden hasn’t got the pace or power to be an inside forward at the elite level. As soon as the false 9 was dropped and he didn’t have the extra passing option he has fallen off a cliff.

 

[MUFC OK]

This trio will win the WC one day.

Should have been England's 3 behind Kane at the WC and probably will be at the Euros in front of Bellingham and Rice. Rashford was screwed over by Southgate.

 

[CannonBalls]

All of them play in different positions would rather like to see how these fare
Rashford vs Vini Jr (Mbappe is in a league of his own)
Saka vs Dembele

 

[Cloud7]

It doesn't matter how good Rash and Saka end up being. Sir Gareth will find a way to make them less than the sum of their parts

 

[Ludens the Red]

It doesn't matter how good Rash and Saka end up being. Sir Gareth will find a way to make them less than the sum of their parts

Yeah but ‘Sterling never lets England down’ something something…..

 

[The Corinthian]

Rashford can lay claim to be the best player in the world right now. I'm trying to think of someone else that has been in red hot form since the restart and struggling.

Saka is a talent but he, like this Arsenal team, are slowly getting found out.

Foden has been pretty awful this season. Since his hat trick vs us, he's scored twice and had 1 assist since then. There's been 16 league games since then.

 

[roonster09]

Best part for England is, all of them play in different positions and can easily play together. Would love to see at least Saka and Rashford playing with Kane.

 

[GoonerGirly]

Rashford can lay claim to be the best player in the world right now. I'm trying to think of someone else that has been in red hot form since the restart and struggling.

Saka is a talent but he, like this Arsenal team, are slowly getting found out.

Foden has been pretty awful this season. Since his hat trick vs us, he's scored twice and had 1 assist since then. There's been 16 league games since then.

Atm I agree Rashford is red hot and has probably been the best player (at least goal scorer) since the WC. But Saka is not far behind at all. Can't agree with Saka/Arsenal being "found out". We were never going to be able to maintain our level for the entire season, we were always bound to have a blip (which is now hopefully behind us).

IMO United is much more of a one man team than us or City. Rashford is pretty much the only one consistently scoring goals, or making the breakthrough in games. Your actual striker is yet to find the back of the net in the league.

Foden has been pretty poor I agree. But I think something people are ignoring in this three-way comparison is the considerable age difference - Rashford is 4 years older than Saka and 3 older than Foden. So we're not really comparing apples to apples here.

 

[roonster09]

Atm I agree Rashford is red hot and has probably been the best player (at least goal scorer) since the WC. But Saka is not far behind at all. Can't agree with Saka/Arsenal being "found out". We were never going to be able to maintain our level for the entire season, we were always bound to have a blip (which is now hopefully behind us).

IMO United is much more of a one man team than us or City. Rashford is pretty much the only one consistently scoring goals, or making the breakthrough in games. Your actual striker is yet to find the back of the net in the league.

Foden has been pretty poor I agree. But I think something people are ignoring in this three-way comparison is the considerable age difference - Rashford is 4 years older than Saka and 3 older than Foden. So we're not really comparing apples to apples here.

Agreed on Saka, almost every game he is very good and for a small guy he is very strong too. He has very good balance, so keeps the ball really well.

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

Rashy’s on a different level to both of these right now.

 

[owlo]

Rashford can lay claim to be the best player in the world right now. I'm trying to think of someone else that has been in red hot form since the restart and struggling.

Saka is a talent but he, like this Arsenal team, are slowly getting found out.

Foden has been pretty awful this season. Since his hat trick vs us, he's scored twice and had 1 assist since then. There's been 16 league games since then.

I don’t think saka is being found out. He’s fantastic for me. Agree with the rest of the post

 

[El Jefe]

The thing about Saka is he looks very basic from an eye test perspective in my opinion but his football fundamentals are all time good for a player of his age in the PL. He's so sound at all aspects of the game and really don't think he has a weakness. Add in his freakish strength and it makes him such an effective player.

Foden is naturally the most skilled and maybe talented of the three but is firmly last at the moment but that could all change.

Rashford is clear though, he's becoming one of the very best in the world at the moment.

 

[Mogget]

It's really nice seeing Rashford doing well after all the stick he got from United fans during that poor spell of form he went through.

 

[adexkola]

You're only as good as your last game so Rashford > Saka >> Foden