Foden is harder to build around dude. Guys like Saka who have that ability to be self-sufficient are simply easier to plug and play. You just give them the ball and let them cook. Foden needs more structure around him to take advantage of his skillset, not surprising he hasn't done much for England.
I mean you're being intentionally difficult here. Saka played some games at other positions (as every player does) coming through the youth system but he established himself at RW. We, for example, don't claim that McTominay is extremely versatile because he played some games at CF and some games at #10. It doesn't matter that Saka played LWB or CM at 19 - He'll not be a very good LWB or CM if you threw him there and that's not the kind of versatility you typically want from an attacker. The type of versatility that's useful for an attacker is, say to fill in for others (say Jesus or Odegaard when they're out) or swap positions quickly during the course of a game. Guys like Jota, Neto, Foden etc. are really good at it. So far there's no evidence that Saka can play CF / #10 / LW at the same standard as he plays RW.
Nope, you're just not making much sense.
He's played over 60 games at LB / LWB / CM for Arsenal's first team. Almost all starts.
If you honestly think the reason Saka no longer plays LWB is because he wouldn't be very good there, it's kind of hard to take you seriously.
Of course there isn't. Just like Salah doesn't play CF/CAM/LW as well as he plays RW. He's still a versatile player who would perform extremely well in those positions. But no Manager would shift him around the pitch because they want to play their best players in their best positions.
I would say saka has the physical, speed and strength, but has no technical advantages. Saka isn't really a particularly technical player, good but not stand out.
When did he play extremely well in those positions for you to say that?
Last year Saka had 14 total goals and 11 assist in 3194 minutes. Foden has 11 goals and 4 assists in 1842. So to say that Saka has produced more in the last two seasons is very disrespectful of Foden's ability. Foden has one less assist this year in 200 less minutes as well.
Both are exceptional footballers and anyone who prefers Saka to Foden won't hear a complaint for me, but if I were responsible for addressing a need on the front line it would be a pretty call -- Foden.
Disagree about Saka. And Foden definitely has a been physical advantage in tight spaces - smaller, lower center of gravity, greater agility and quicker footwork
Pretty much the entire time. He broke into both Arsenal's first team and the senior England team at LB / LWB. He continued to be selected in those positions ahead of far more experienced options... over 60 times. Because he was exceptional.
Often dropped because he is the easiest one to drop because of his background. He has been in rotation with several proper world-class players for years and often been our best performer.
Right. Comparing Saka's consistency notes with *checks notes* Phil Foden.Yes, but it’s very natural to perform better when only on the field for lesser time.
Well I cannot find these stats for LB / LWB anywhere, everywhere just says RW. Anyway youngsters get played for experience, doesn't mean they played well never mind extremely well, only the top players play extremely well and there is nothing to suggest saka did in those roles.
So because you can’t find the stats (that I linked to higher up in the thread) they don’t exist?
Ok I found your link, I assume you mean this.
They're virtually all starts. That info is available on the page if you look for it. Also, millions of people watched him. You clearly know very little about Saka (which is understandable - you're not an Arsenal fan) but lots of people do.
Correct. He's played in 22 games as a LB in a back 4 and 7 as a CM.
On Transfermarkt, LM means LWB. Which is also obvious for anyone that watched Saka's breakthrough. Arteta and Southgate both favoured 3-5-2 at the time.
...seem somewhat silly. Of course there'll be nothing to suggest he played well in those roles to you if you know very little about him.
At least he’s actually had a season of being among the best in some position.
That's true, Foden is amazing with a functioning system of top-class players (much like his Manager). Saka is a little more plug and play.
Real.
Scoring 18 goals from midfield for Real Madrid in half a season at age 20 does tend to do wonders for your PR to be fair.
True
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If you don’t remember Saka playing at left back, I’m not sure you’ve been watching closely enough to judge in this thread.
That is a weird one for me. You have to look at how much of an upgrade players are. Odegaard is far less of an upgrade on Bruno and Mount than Saka is on our winger options.
Or maybe its in your head.
Err, ok. Transfermarkt has 22 games at left-back, and 64 games at left midfield, the majority of which were as the left wingback in a 3-4-3/ 5-2-3. That was where he largely played until Boxing Day 2020.
I think that was sarcasm. At least, I hope it was.
You don’t need stats to know Saka played at left back for Arsenal. In fact, he would often change mid game from LB to RW during that season. It’s strange to argue against something which is factually correct.
I am not saying he didn't play it, of course he did, but he didn't play that many games and he wasn't exceptional at it, he was pretty good.
Just take the L on this one
Just say you didn't watch him, as simple as that. Saka was very good at every position he played.
Oh, you’re not being sarcastic.
