Saliba: Olise has much to achieve before being compared to Platini or Zidane

William Saliba, a key defender for the French national team and Arsenal, lauded the qualities of his teammate Michael Olise, but urged caution regarding comparisons to footballing icons. "Olise is a star, as everyone can see. He is a great player," Saliba stated. However, he added, "He still has many things to achieve before being compared to Platini or Zidane, but it is a pleasure to have him on our team."

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Olise is a star, as everyone can see. He is a great player. He still has many things to achieve before being compared to Platini or Zidane, but it is a pleasure to have him on our team.

Saliba elaborated on Olise's abilities, highlighting his tactical intelligence and versatility. "He can shoot, dribble, pass, and always plays with judgment. He is not someone who tries to dribble past everyone for the sake of it. When he needs to pass, he passes; when he needs to dribble, he dribbles," Saliba explained during a press conference with the French national team in Boston. "It is a pleasure to have him with us and to watch him play."

The defender also shared his thoughts on captain Kylian Mbappé, noting that the star forward remains fundamentally the same player despite increased responsibilities. "He still has to talk more and has more responsibilities, but for me, he is the same. He is still the same player, always eager to help his team win. It's just that now he wears the armband, has more responsibilities, and speaks more, but for me, nothing has changed," Saliba said.

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He can shoot, dribble, pass, and always plays with judgment. He is not someone who tries to dribble past everyone for the sake of it. When he needs to pass, he passes; when he needs to dribble, he dribbles.

Saliba also expressed confidence in goalkeeper Mike Maignan, calling him "one of the best goalkeepers in the world." He acknowledged the frustration of conceding a late goal but suggested defensive lapses might have contributed. "If we conceded, perhaps it was also because we didn't do our job well in defense. Before the shot, perhaps we could have blocked it," he noted.

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He still has to talk more and has more responsibilities, but for me, he is the same. He is still the same player, always eager to help his team win.

Addressing his own physical condition, Saliba admitted he is not at "one hundred percent" due to persistent discomfort that has troubled him for months. He explained that the adrenaline of playing in major competitions like the Premier League and Champions League, and now the World Cup, helps him manage the pain. "There are many footballers who also play with discomfort. Adrenaline helps to forget them," he stated, choosing not to specify the exact nature of his injury to avoid giving opponents an advantage.

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He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.