Former France and Arsenal defender William Gallas has expressed his thoughts on William Saliba’s performance in the World Cup, stating that while Saliba had a good showing, it did not match the level of his performances for Arsenal.

Source: s.yimg.com

In an exclusive interview with Get French Football News, Gallas highlighted the differences in Saliba’s game between his time with Arsenal and his stint with the French national team. According to Gallas, Saliba’s performances for France were not as strong as those he showcased while playing for Arsenal.

‘He had a good performance,’ Gallas said, ‘but what I’ve seen, and I know exactly because I was in that situation, is that when he plays on the left side, it’s different from when he plays on the right side.’

Gallas explained that Saliba’s usual position is on the right side, where he can utilize his right foot to control the ball with ease. However, when he is forced to play on the left side, he must adjust his movements and control to compensate for the change in his dominant foot. This, Gallas believes, is a key factor in Saliba’s seemingly ‘uncomfortable’ performance during the World Cup.

‘So for me, as I said, because I played in that position in the 2006 World Cup, I’m sure he was more focused on the World Cup,’ Gallas continued. ‘You know, so that’s why he looked like he was a little bit uncomfortable.’

Gallas emphasized that he had observed Saliba’s performance closely, and while he acknowledged that Saliba had a good showing, it was not up to the level of his performances for Arsenal. He attributed this to the fact that Saliba was often forced to play on the left side, which, as he explained, is a position that requires a different set of skills and movements.

Gallas also pointed out that the presence of Dayot Upamecano, who played on the right side for Bayern Munich, added an extra layer of complexity to the situation. With both players competing for the right side spot, the selection of Upamecano over Saliba was a crucial decision that likely impacted the team’s overall performance.

When asked about Chelsea’s recent spending spree, Gallas expressed his thoughts on the impact of constant turnover on the team’s performance. He believed that the influx of new players and coaches would require time to adjust and gel, and that Alonso’s appointment could be a crucial factor in fixing the team’s issues.

‘I think Alonso can be very important for them because now, okay, you’ve got some good players, but it doesn’t mean you will get the results straight away,’ Gallas said. ‘You need to get that manager who can fix everything and give confidence to your players to play the best football and to be ready once the season starts.’

Gallas emphasized that the transition period would likely be challenging for Chelsea, with the team facing a disadvantage due to the large number of new players and the introduction of a new coach and system. However, he remained optimistic about Alonso’s potential to turn the team around and restore their former glory.