Bukayo Saka: Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch compare ‘world-class’ Arsenal star to Mohamed Salah – ‘He’s a game changer’
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Published 15/01/2025 at 19:51 GMT
Is Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka world class? The question was posed to TNT Sports experts Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch, who both responded with a resounding "yes". Ferdinand said he believes only Mohamed Salah is better on the right wing in world football, arguing that Saka would "get in the Real Madrid team". Crouch hailed the England man as a "game changer" for Arsenal in his assessment.
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Bukayo Saka has been hailed as a "world-class" talent by TNT Sports expert Rio Ferdinand, who thinks the Arsenal star is second only to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah among the world’s best right-wingers.
Speaking ahead of a highly-anticipated North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, Ferdinand and Peter Crouch pondered whether Saka should be considered world class.
"I think he is now," Ferdinand said.
He added: "Does he get into most of the best teams in the world? I think he does. Even the Real Madrid team, I think he would get in.
"If we’re talking about the best right wingers in the world now, Salah is the best. Saka’s got to be the next one.
"Who else is there? Rodrygo is injured and has been for a while now, so he’s out of the conversation for the moment."
Saka has developed into a star man for club and country and is enjoying another highly productive season in 2024/25.
The 23-year-old went into Wednesday’s derby match with five goals and 10 assists to his name in 16 Premier League games this season.
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However, he missed the clash with Tottenham due to injury as he continues his recovery from hamstring surgery.
Saka has also played a major part for the England national team in recent years, helping them reach the finals of Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 and the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup, scoring 12 goals in 43 caps in the process.
The 2023/24 campaign was his most prolific yet, as Saka scored 16 goals to help Arsenal finish a close second to Manchester City.
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Saka’s importance to his club led Crouch to the same conclusion as Ferdinand when considering the question.
"He’s a game changer in this team, isn’t he? It’s a massive, noticeable difference when he’s not playing," Crouch said.
"I think he is world class. I think he affects it on any level."
How do I watch Premier League live streams on TNT Sports? What is discovery+?
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through EE TV, Sky, and Virgin Media.
Stream the 2024-25 Premier League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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