William Saliba
ArsenalCB
Back Line Anchor
Mar 24, 2001 (25)
Right
6'4"
203 lb
Solid defensively
Saliba had five clearances and one interception in Thursday's 2-0 win versus Morocco.
Analysis: Saliba would play the full 90 minutes Thursday as he would earn a clean sheet, notching one interception and five clearances in the win. That said, this is the fourth straight clean sheet the center-back has helped his team to. He has only left the field once all tournament, having been rested against Norway in the group stage finale.
Makes 10 clearances in victory
Saliba generated 10 clearances and one interception in Saturday's 1-0 win over Paraguay.
Analysis: Saliba had a solid performance in his regular center-back position, finishing with a game-high total of clearances while reaching double digits in that stat for the first time during the current World Cup. He's in good form after completing 90 minutes in two consecutive knockout games and helping his team allow no goals in that span. While the next challenge against Morocco will be significantly tougher, Saliba could remain an appealing asset thanks to his defensive consistency and his involvement in France's possessions.
Earns clean sheet in return
Saliba generated one tackle (zero won), two clearances and one interception in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Sweden.
Analysis: Saliba completed the full 90 minutes Tuesday after being rested in the group-stage finale versus Norway. Despite his rather limited defensive workload, he recovered five balls and won five of his seven duels throughout the match, helping his squad advance to the next phase, where he'll likely retain a starting role over Maxence Lacroix in the middle of a back four against Paraguay. After three games played, Saliba is averaging 60.0 accurate passes, 3.0 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per contest.
Set to start against Sweden
Saliba (back) returned to full team training and is set to retake his starting role at center-back alongside Dayot Upamecano for Tuesday's round of 32 clash against Sweden, according to Le Parisien.
Analysis: Saliba has been managed carefully in recent weeks due to lingering back pain, with France opting to rest him against Norway, but his return to full training is the strongest indication yet that the issue is behind him. The Arsenal center-back has been a steady presence at the heart of France's defense, recording one tackle, three interceptions and seven clearances while helping the side keep a clean sheet. He is expected to return to the starting XI for Tuesday's Round of 32 showdown, where he'll be tasked with slowing down his Arsenal teammate Viktor Gyokeres.
Won't face Norway
Saliba won't play against Norway on Friday due to rest, according to Hugo Delom of L'Equipe.
Analysis: Saliba didn't train with the rest of the squad Thursday and won't be an option for Friday's group-stage finale solely due to rest reasons. That means Maxence Lacroix should take his place and partner with Dayot Upamecano at center-back. Saliba should be ready to return for the knockout stages, although it remains to be seen which team France will face.
Three clearances in win
Saliba generated one shot (zero on goal) in Monday's 3-0 win over Iraq.
Analysis: Saliba logged another full 90 minutes in Monday's 3-0 win over Iraq despite revealing before the match that he has been managing minor knocks for several months. He was the rock at the heart of a French back line that delivered a clean sheet, with Iraq putting just two shots on target over the entire contest despite the lengthy weather delay. Saliba chipped in one tackle, one shot, two interceptions and three clearances, and France have now punched their ticket to the Round of 32 where they'll face Norway on June 26 with the top spot in Group I on the line.
Four clearances in opener
Saliba registered four clearancesand one interception in Tuesday's 3-1 win against Senegal.
Analysis: Saliba was one of the few bright spots for France alongside Dayot Upamecano in a back line that looked shaky and out of sync during a sloppy first half, with Senegal creating the better chances early on, including Ismaila Sarr's missed close-range opportunity in stoppage time. He found his footing as the match wore on and helped bring stability to the defense as France took control after the break and cruised to a comfortable victory. Saliba's leadership and composure at the back will remain key as France look to carry the momentum from this opening win into their next group-stage match.
Working with team
Saliba resumed regular training sessions Saturday alongside the rest of the French national team prior to the initial World Cup contest versus Senegal, per Fabrice Hawkins.
Analysis: Saliba is no longer dealing with discomfort and is trending toward a starting role throughout the international competition. The center-back recorded 45 minutes in the last friendly game against Norther Ireland and was subbed off as a precaution, avoiding a new injury scare following his return from a back injury. His inclusion as Dayot Upamecano's partner in the middle of a back four would leave Ibrahima Konate and Maxence Lacroix as depth options. As for his fantasy potential, Saliba will aim to improve on his World Cup qualifying averages of 4.3 clearances and 4.7 balls recovered per match while holding decent clean sheet chances, even though he'll be facing strong opposition in at least two of the three group stage games against Senegal and Norway, respectively.
Plays 45, taken off as precaution
Saliba (back) started and played 45 minutes in Monday's friendly against Northern Ireland before being taken off at halftime as a precaution.
Analysis: Saliba was back on the pitch Monday as France played in a friendly, starting and playing 45 minutes before a halftime exit. The defender would be taken off due to precaution following his injury, a pre-planned substitution ahead of the contest. This should clear the defender of his injury after some worries ahead of their World Cup opener, a major return for the French team. He should then start moving forward in the group stage alongside Dayot Upamecano, unlikely to be risked much between now and their opener against Senegal on June 16.
Trains fully, option for friendly
Saliba (back) is feeling better after being present at France's team training session and could feature in Monday's final pre-tournament friendly against Northern Ireland, according to Saber Desfarges of TF1.
Analysis: Saliba had been nursing a back issue in recent days but his return to team training is an encouraging development ahead of France's World Cup opener against Senegal on June 16. The Arsenal center-back remains a certain starter in Didier Deschamps' defensive lineup when the tournament gets underway, and his swift recovery puts any lingering concerns firmly to rest.
Should be fine for World Cup opener
Saliba (back) is not expected to face a long absence and may only be rested in the practice matches ahead of the World Cup, with France manager Didier Deschamps commenting "William is fine and will be managed. If he had needed to play tomorrow, he would have played", ESPN reports .
Analysis: Saliba remains a potential starter in France's back line in their June 16 opener versus Senegal despite dealing with back discomfort in recent days. In that case, the defender would form a strong center-back pairing alongside Dayot Upamecano, with Ibrahima Konate seeing his playing time reduced. The Arsenal man is still at risk of missing upcoming friendlies so that he achieves a full recovery.
Closely monitored
Saliba (back) is being closely monitored ahead of France's World Cup but has had some reassuring testing carried out, according to Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport.
Analysis: Saliba has undergone further testing that has come back quite positive, as it was stated as "reassuring" despite a back issue still present. This won't prevent him from joining his teammates at the French camp, although his addition to the friendlies is still in doubt, not forcing anything ahead of the World Cup. There are still major concerns about his availability heading into the tournament, as he is set to be a starter for France, leaving numerous fans holding their breath as the opener approaches.
Hopeful to avoid serious issue
Saliba (ankle) got an optimistic diagnosis from initial medical tests Monday, but he's a major doubt for upcoming friendlies due to a back pain, Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport reports.
Analysis: Saliba's presence in the lineup for France's World Cup opener against Senegal is a big doubt, though it seems he'll be able to train before that match. If he's fully fit, the defender will likely feature as part of a center-back pairing next to Dayot Upamecano. Otherwise, Ibrahima Konate is available as a solid replacement option. The Arsenal man recently played 120 minutes in the Champions League final against PSG and could be given some rest if he continues to suffer discomfort following a busy club season.
World Cup status in doubt
Saliba (ankle) aggravated an existing injury during the Champions League final against PSG and could be sidelined for several weeks, causing genuine concern within the France national team ahead of the World Cup, according to Santi Aouna.
Analysis: Saliba had been carrying the issue before the final but took to the pitch regardless, with the injury worsening during the match and leaving his fitness for the tournament in serious doubt. The center-back had been expected to start alongside Dayot Upamecano at the heart of France's defensive unit this summer, making his potential absence a significant blow for coach Didier Deschamps heading into the World Cup. Should Saliba be unable to recover in time, Ibrahima Konate is the most likely candidate to step into the starting lineup. The coming days of assessment will be crucial in determining the severity of the injury and whether Saliba has any realistic chance of featuring in France's opening fixtures.
Ready for Champions League final
Saliba has been named in France's World Cup squad but first has the small matter of Saturday's Champions League final against PSG to attend to with Arsenal.
Analysis: Saliba wraps up another dominant season with Arsenal, locking in his place among the game's elite center-backs after consistently commanding performances throughout the Premier League campaign. He brings a rare blend of composure, elite game reading and on-ball quality, and his partnership with Dayot Upamecano gives France one of the toughest central defensive pairings in the tournament. Heading into the World Cup, he's coming off what could be the biggest club match of his career and arrives in peak form with full confidence, already posting one goal, 46 tackles, 27 interceptions, a career-high 181 clearances and 22 clean sheets across 42 appearances (41 starts) for the Gunners prior to Saturday's Champions League final against PSG.
Five clearances in win
Saliba generated two tackles (one won) and five clearances in Sunday's 1-0 win versus West Ham United. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 89th minute.
Analysis: Saliba delivered a near-flawless performance in Sunday's 1-0 win at West Ham, marshalling the defensive line with composure and authority while recording two tackles, five clearances and one block. Saliba has kept a clean sheet in 15 of his 30 Premier League appearances this season and has established himself as one of the best center-backs in the league this campaign, registering 35 tackles, 17 interceptions and 127 clearances over that span.
Six clearances in draw
Saliba generated six clearancesand one interception in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.
Analysis: Saliba delivered a calm and commanding full 90 minutes at the Metropolitano, winning four aerial duels and racking up six clearances as Arsenal withstood Atletico Madrid's relentless second-half pressure without conceding from open play in the Champions League semifinal first leg. He played a key role in locking down Antoine Griezmann's movement between the lines, with his positioning consistently breaking up dangerous Atletico buildups as coach Diego Simeone's side pushed numbers forward after leveling the score. The Frenchman has been a defensive anchor lately, posting five interceptions, 10 tackles and 28 clearances over his last six appearances in all competitions while helping the Gunners secure three clean sheets.
Plays 18 minutes
Saliba played 18 minutes from the bench in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Southampton.
Analysis: Saliba failed to start Saturday but still saw the field as his club dropped out of FA Cup play, appearing for 18 minutes to end the match. However, the star defender couldn't do much to help, with Southampton scoring six minutes after he entered. Even more concerning for the defender, he replaced Gabriel, his defensive partner, due to injury. That said, he may need to play a major role when facing Sporting on Tuesday.
Option off bench
Saliba (ankle) is on the bench for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Southampton.
Analysis: Saliba is back in the squad for Saturday's FA Cup clash against Southampton but starts on the bench as he continues to manage a recurring ankle issue. The center-back remains a key piece in defense with his consistency, aerial presence and ball progression, but the staff is expected to ease him back into action given his importance after starting 32 of his 33 appearances across all competitions this season.
Won't join France
Saliba (ankle) is still dealing with issues and won't join the French national team, according to Fabrice Hawkins from RMC Sport.
Analysis: Saliba still does not look fully past his recurring ankle issue, as Arsenal will not risk him and he will stay in London over the international break. The French defender was replaced by Maxence Lacroix on France's squad list and will now look to use the break to get all the way back to full fitness after a problem that has already cost him several matches this season. Saliba is still a locked-in starter for the Gunners, with 32 starts in 33 appearances across all competitions while adding one goal, 33 tackles and 130 clearances.
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