Saka receiving 16.7 Progressive Passes per game is absolutely insane 😂😂 He's basically a one man offensive tactic for one of the best teams in the Prem !! 🌟 Boy

@pratham014

Ай бұрын

Saka holds the width for Arsenal. So, its natural that he would receive more progressive passes

@PatrickWaltersandpoetry

Ай бұрын

@@pratham014 Many players hold the width for their teams. Only he is head and shoulders above the rest in terms of Progressive passes received.

@robertemmanueljonjo2889

Ай бұрын

​@pratham014 why then isn't Grealish and Doku putting up the same numbers?

@ammarbaagu

Ай бұрын

​@@robertemmanueljonjo2889 style of play. Arsenal are more direct than City. City tend to control the game with high possessions and teams would low block vs City means that is a lot of short passes to unlock those teams. City wingers also play as a touchline winger which mean they don't really play near the box and on the side line. Plus City have a really left sided bias when attacking, hence why you see Grealish have pretty high Progressive Passes Received compared to Foden (who is mainly played on the right, sometimes as touchline winger, sometimes as a 10). But the simplest answer would be that City's main creators are usually their midfielders, KDB and Foden (when played centrally)

@liammilne2242

Ай бұрын

A lot of what you said still applies to Arsenal though. The big difference is that Martinelli plays as the touchline winger while Saka comes in field a lot more of the time. At the same time, Arsenal still play largely possession based football in the opponents half, they also face many low blocks, which they struggled to score against without setpieces for large parts of the season. As you say, it's more so that City focus on creating through the middle while Arsenal tend to bring play wide to cut open the defence. @@ammarbaagu

Would love to a comparison of French CB’s. This is the position that they arguably have the best talent and depth in.

@OnePunchKiller

2 ай бұрын

France also has best attack 😢 Even midfield is overpowered😢

@PatrickWaltersandpoetry

2 ай бұрын

Yes, the Konate vs Upamecano vs Saliba vs Varane vs Kimpembe debate is a tough one

@ddvsgd9508

2 ай бұрын

​@@PatrickWaltersandpoetryUpamaguire no where near Konate.

@OGMercator

2 ай бұрын

@@PatrickWaltersandpoetrythere’s no way you’re saying upamecano over hernandez

@PatrickWaltersandpoetry

2 ай бұрын

@OGMercator No I'm just saying it's a congested position for France. They have like 5 or 6 CBs capable of playing for the National team

I'm not even an england fan and I saw how when Saka was subbed, Eng had practically no threat against france. With that being said, Why don't Southgate play Foden closer to Saka or maybe Jude and Foden in front of Rice.

@SukayoBaka07

2 ай бұрын

Saka was the highest goalscorer for England at the world Cup in fact his record for England is second only to kane since he has been a part... His performance against France was so good the French journalist put him in the team of the world Cup... Saka has been lot more important for England and Arsenal than foden is to city and England

@yunopepper76

2 ай бұрын

Foden is just Kai Havertz with Pep assistance. When Pep leaves you’ll see Fodens career go down the drain

@kurtsudheim825

2 ай бұрын

Phil should me in the mid, but its rice jude & james, so he's a sub for wither ska or attacking mid

@NedTesco

2 ай бұрын

Jude & Foden in front of Rice is far too attacking against a team as strong as France, would get totally overrun in midfield - though it's def an option against weaker teams.

@AndyLowe-net

Ай бұрын

​@@NedTesconobody is overrunning that midfield three what are you smoking. That's one of the best midfield threes you can make, all three players absolutely elite £100m + and also rice can hold it together on his own he's that good at sniffing out danger and covering the ground. Who's France got in the middle that can compete with that?

Whoever you think is better, there should be no debate on who should start RW for England

@michaelboiteau9890

2 ай бұрын

Correct. Jesse lingard

@truenoae8689

Ай бұрын

And no debate who should be starting alongside Bellingham in the center

@rzlb5

Ай бұрын

@@michaelboiteau9890 Jesse lingard has the potential but he is too young. he need more game time & experience to usurp Saka.

@michaelboiteau9890

Ай бұрын

@@rzlb5 well he's in the u-12's right now so saka may be retired by the time he's old enough

Southgate HAS to start both in the Euros. With players like them, Kane, Bellingham and Rice, England have to be up there in the Euros...

@tickub

2 ай бұрын

Yeah but how can they both start with Henderson and Phillips already guaranteed spots?

@JakHensha_0

2 ай бұрын

​@@tickubPhilips and hendo don't deserve their spots at the mo, trent needs to be playing every game

@kurtsudheim825

2 ай бұрын

Nope, unless he plays lw, though eze a better shout there. Because midfield is rice, jude & James

@Pugh.Pugh.BarneyMcGrew

Ай бұрын

England have to be up there in the Euros... Maguire - Hold my beer...

The fact that this video was posted before the Newcastle match makes me wonder how high Saka's stats are now

Saka started life in the Arsenal first team at left back (I think) and played 2 or 3 other positions as well - prior to finding his current home on the right. There's an argument that Foden is the overall more rounded player but it seems like a lot of people think of Saka as ONLY a winger and therefore only capable in that position when that's not the case.

@zubairatif

2 ай бұрын

He played as a wing-back and that's a similar position to a winger, he hasn't played centrally ever. While foden has played all 5 positions up-front

@ehinowhen

2 ай бұрын

@@zubairatifSaka has played LB, LWB, LCM, LW, and RW 🤷🏿‍♂️

@SenorjrjrIII

2 ай бұрын

​​@@zubairatifstarted as a lb then moved to lwb under unai and moved to lwb when Mikel came in with a back 3

@zubairatif

2 ай бұрын

​@@ehinowhen but the point is each each position Foden is better than him (apart from rw).

@jamesjosejj

2 ай бұрын

That's incorrect. Saka had a short stint at LCM when Arteta first arrived. He started there vs Man City as an 18-year-old and was one of the best players on the pitch. As Arsenal fans, we actually expect his longterm future to be as an interior because he plays his best football in the pockets & half-spaces.@@zubairatif

I think you could make a whole video around who is the 3rd midfielder in englands lineup (Rice and Bellingham obviously being the first two). Should it be a box to box like Gallagher, Mainoo or Barkley? Or a 10 like Foden, Maddison or Eze? Or maybe you bring Trent into midfield… it’ll definitely be a difficult choice for Southgate but at least it now feels like we’ve got midfield options.

@Ladtyuven223

2 ай бұрын

Good shout! I think it should be someone attacking so that rules Gallagher out. And even as an Arsenal fan, I rate Mainoo so highly but I think he should be rested for this tournament, slightly too early for him, Maddison maybe, if he can stay fit? Tough one

@randomuser1573

2 ай бұрын

Great idea, I think for most games Southgate would opt for a Gallagher type and then in some games he would want Maddison/trent in there.

@edenholt4394

2 ай бұрын

@@Ladtyuven223 I’m not sure Gallagher can be ruled out so easily, if I had it my way it’d be Foden or Maddison for sure but Southgate usually opts for a more conservative midfielder like Hendo or Phillips so I recon Gallagher will at least make the squad.

@edenholt4394

2 ай бұрын

@@randomuser1573 I agree, I recon in the “easier” games he’d play a Maddison or Trent and in the tougher fixtures he’d play someone like Gallagher who does more running and will allow Bellingham more freedom

@James-st9uu

2 ай бұрын

Mainoo? Based on what 3 games...

Tbh I think the fact that Saka has won England player of the year 2 years in a row whilst Phil Foden has also been in the team really does tip it for Saka. The only time they're in the same team and there is a clear winner.

@emperorlordkhalid9227

2 ай бұрын

So Saliba is worse than Upamecano?

@chibmaniac2

2 ай бұрын

@@emperorlordkhalid9227 Upamecano didn't win French player of the year over Saliba nor the other way round so it's not remotely the same

@samkkx

2 ай бұрын

​@chibmaniac2 Yes, but until now Upaamecano is a starter and Saliba is a bench player. Kalvin Phillips has won the England player of the season that doesn't mean he is better than Rice.

@michaelboiteau9890

2 ай бұрын

​@@samkkxhe's not arguing that the only reason saka is better is because of the back to back england poty win. It's one of the many reasons and the cherry on top if you'd say. If we use your logic every single stat can be thrown away if there is even 1 thing that slightly contradicts it. Contradiction isn't proof

@galaxyknight7309

Ай бұрын

​@@chibmaniac2 So your swayed by awards based on other people's opinions? What do you think player of the yera shouldn't matter use your own brain.

4:58 - I did NOT expect that stat, holy hell.

@Ahsf56

2 ай бұрын

Don't see why not, City pass it around themselves for 80 minutes and only have to actually try for about 10

@04foreverinvincible69

2 ай бұрын

@@Ahsf56they can’t defend that’s y they keep the ball

@jbo4547

2 ай бұрын

​@@04foreverinvincible69they defend by keeping the ball

@kurtsudheim825

2 ай бұрын

4:58 is at the end of looking at Phil, are you taking about that or are you early for the one that shows both players?

@patrickyoung2235

2 ай бұрын

​@@Ahsf56 So why is Grealish's so much higher then?

The Man City fans won’t like this one

@jdotwhitt

2 ай бұрын

all both of them

@uniquebloxxer7520

2 ай бұрын

It would be a problem if they had fans

@maxmaxie1328

2 ай бұрын

​@@uniquebloxxer7520yes is am still celebrating trible..🎉🎉🎉😂

@thereddevil6582

2 ай бұрын

Stat merchants can say whatever the hell they want the real ones will still rate Phil higher anyway

@AU-rp4fp

2 ай бұрын

@@thereddevil6582football people can easily tell who’s better irrespective of stats I favour the eye test and I knows who’s better and he’s from Stockport.

I always thoght Saka would be a world class 10. He was such a good decision maker even as a kid.

@snaggiz

Ай бұрын

Absolutely think his football IQ is what underpins everything he does. There’s a lot of maturity to how he plays which leads to him usually making the right choice almost all the time when he has the ball.

@UserName-sw4pm

Ай бұрын

Once he slows down with age I think that would be a lovely transition.

@JT-km6th

Ай бұрын

Like when Saka is in his mid 30s?​@@UserName-sw4pm

Wait you reckon Foden is more a complete player because he can play on the wing and centrally but conveniently decided to ignore that since coming into the Arsenal team Saka has played and played well at RW, LB, RWB, CAM and LW

@lukeo7598

Ай бұрын

He thinks he can hide his tribalism

@Sproles11

Ай бұрын

We haven’t seen Saka play at a high level anywhere other than RW. Foden has played at a high level on the LW, RW, False 9, and in midfield.

@ammarbaagu

Ай бұрын

Has Saka played in any of those role for an extended amount of times at high level? Foden has played LW for the most of his early City career, has played False 9 in 20/21 season where he and City went on to the CL final, RW this season and his best output season and CAM also this season.

@t.g.s__7009

Ай бұрын

@@ammarbaagu yea your cooked bro saka played LB/LWB first 20 games and those positions played in europa league as a LW when PEPE was are right and LCM keep yapping tho

People’s tribalism on full display here 😂 let’s just appreciate that we have two world class forwards in our England team who both excel at different things.

@thacrypt223

2 ай бұрын

Indeed. They are both world class imo, and I am a gunner.

@benedictharrison2819

2 ай бұрын

That’s the problem. People don’t want to admit Saka is world class, they inflate his competitors and diminish him. I don’t think either are world class just yet but they’re both knocking, and if Foden is then Saka certainly is

@Markyy____

2 ай бұрын

@@benedictharrison2819 warra world class performance from Saka against the worst team in the champions league🔥🔥🔥

@hellohi1445

2 ай бұрын

@@benedictharrison2819neither are world class mate. That word is thrown so loosely now.

@h1vezer

2 ай бұрын

Porto aint the worst team, their UCL specialists and nearly beat Inter last year who were the finalists, their really good in the UCL@@Markyy____

Jesus the porn bots are getting silly now.

@KnowhereClue

2 ай бұрын

Its wild

They're both phenomenal! I think Foden is the better 'technical' footballer and its a shame for him that he's compared to such a talent like Saka despite largely playing in a position and in a team that doesn't quite allow him to shine in the way I think he certainly could. Foden's performances in a central position this season are the best example of how unplayable he is, and has been in those spaces Saka had been a little disrespected too for the fact he's been this effective, consistent and invaluable for such a long time in his young Arsenal and England career, yet only recently those Arsenal fans that called him phenomenal or 'World Class' ;) are finally vindicated This is an incredible generation of England talent. I just hope it isn't squandered by overly cautious play from Southgate. I think England have every right to go into this thinking and playing like they're the best team in the competition Historically talented England generation for sure!

@benlane7282

2 ай бұрын

I think the thing with Saka is that he is very much a modern era player. He passes it around nicely, he tracks back, and often chips in with goals and assists through the system Arsenal play with lots of 1-2’s and cutbacks, but I watch him and sometimes he feels like a robot. Whereas Foden often plays more freely, with more flair and it’s more exciting to watch in a way. So I feel like it’s often your perspective on football and what you like from a player.

@cogitoy7692

2 ай бұрын

​@@benlane7282this is exactly it. Saka will be a manager's dream - his biggest strengths are things like decision making. His dribbling isn't special, neither is his ball-striking or passing. He just makes the right decision so often, and works for the team really well. Similar to Mason Mount in that sense.

@lukeo7598

Ай бұрын

@@cogitoy7692how can you make the right decisions without being a very good passer and shooter ? How is he then so efficient? Try again

@cogitoy7692

Ай бұрын

@@lukeo7598 He's good - maybe even very good - at those things. However, when you watch his play do you see him making passes or shots that are particularly difficult? It's not a slight against him, it's just a reality.

@nas4750

Ай бұрын

@@cogitoy7692 His dribbling is pretty special I'd say, he's not tricky and doesn't pull off extravagant skills, but he's a very effective dribbler and ball carrier. I'd say that's his strongest attribute. He's very, very good in 1v1s, which is why teams often put 3 men on him. I agree his ball striking or passing isn't amazing though. Foden is a better technical footballer, a more elegant player. But as the stats show, Saka is the more effective footballer. Not just in terms of goals and assists but in terms of overall impact he has on the game, how dangerous he is. It's also worth noting Saka is physically a bit of a beast, his strength and balance for a player of his stature is Messi/Hazard-esque, it's so hard to knock him off the ball. I get what people are saying, I always preferred ESR to Saka when they were just breaking into the team. ESR is just more fluid and better to watch. His first touch and ball control is miles ahead of Saka for instance, but as an overall player just isn't close to as good.

Idk who comparing them maybe few years ago Foden was the better player but now Saka is Clear This is Foden best season ever and number wise Saka still beat him

@nhoj3457

Ай бұрын

Saka's a year younger too

@Sproles11

Ай бұрын

Does Saka still beat him? Foden has more non-penalty G/A. Saka also takes most of Arsenal’s corners.

@AfricanWithNoFlies

Ай бұрын

@@Sproles11 Phil must do better

@Krystilise

Ай бұрын

thats phils fault lmfao. Also foden has the best team itw so it dont really matter do it@@Sproles11

Bukayoooooo, Saka, running down the wing, Saka 🧡

Passes into the penalty area is a rubbish thing to judge them on. Tactical ignorance to suggest that Foden having fewer than lots of players is somwhow a failing. If he started spamming balls into the box to push this metric he'd find himself benched as Pep very obviously doesn't want that.

@JohnSmith-qf9cx

Ай бұрын

Or maybe foden doesn't have the vision?

@colinjames5643

Ай бұрын

​@@JohnSmith-qf9cxHe follows instructions for the good of the team. Foden under Pep will never score highly on these sorts of metrics. People slam Grealish over his stats but he was an important player in a treble winning team. Slowing the game and going backwards doesn't have the stat lovers frothing but it is important. Players who don't get that don't last at City.

@momentum.marketingagency

Ай бұрын

"spamming balls into the box" Jesus Christ. You're right though judging an attacking player by a metric which tracks what they are actually supposed to do is clearly stupid

@snaggiz

Ай бұрын

Yeah, it’s obviously completely unimportant to be able to play a high volume of passes into the area from which most goals get scored.

All this video showed me is Cole Palmer should be in the squad

There's 3 years of evidence James....

@Never_Wr0ng

2 ай бұрын

And Saka's over a year younger. Its a no contest for me. Always has been. Salah is the only one I care about.

@crispouk3070

2 ай бұрын

@@Never_Wr0nghe’s 2 years younger than foden

@michaelgoldsmith9359

2 ай бұрын

Is 2 over 1?

@Never_Wr0ng

2 ай бұрын

@@michaelgoldsmith9359 🤣 It's okay. That just makes Saka look better.

@lukeyduke8877

Ай бұрын

@@Never_Wr0ngyour another deluded arsenal fan. Pipe down muppet

Why not Play both, both should start

@alexcoyg3281

2 ай бұрын

Yes Arteta should give a chance to Foden to prove himself capable of getting that progressive passes to a new level

@shrisiva4016

2 ай бұрын

​@@alexcoyg3281Honestly would be really good buy for Arsenal if it can be pulled off, unlikely tho

@yunopepper76

2 ай бұрын

Foden the biggest Pep product ever.

@kurtsudheim825

2 ай бұрын

Over who? Ska is rw, midfield is rice, jude & James

@joshuagray9170

2 ай бұрын

@@kurtsudheim825 I think you could argue Jude and Rice in CM box to box with Rice more defensive minded and Bellingham more attacking With foden as the CAM position you could also intro CAM moving to RAM and Belllingham at LAM to create a Box up front when the ball is on a wing play attacking transition then rotating as needed because it allows for a lot more fluency and utilisation of different skillsets

Is the caveat around saka being relied on for creativity for his team more than foden even true this season? With KDB being injured for most of the season I’d argue Foden has had just as much responsibility

@shrisiva4016

2 ай бұрын

Saka has been more creative this season

@tspcontent4630

2 ай бұрын

@@shrisiva4016 yeah that was my thought tbh

@MoMu00

Ай бұрын

​@tspcontent4630 when KDB was out injured, that definitely should've been Fodens time to shine. But the amount of games that they didn't win is telling!

@Sproles11

Ай бұрын

@@MoMu00are you suggesting that he wasn’t shining?

Like how half the arguments in the comments for why Foden is better is "nah Foden's better!" and the other half is just excuses for Saka having better stats. Real mature guys

@Ghfjgjggj123shdhfnfmdk

Ай бұрын

All I want is for people to actually understand that if Foden is world class then Saka's 100% world class. My problem is people are still finding some little excuse for Saka not being world class but are incredibly lenient on Foden, Foden barely fits any categories for being world class but people are chill with it, meanwhile Saka fits every category and more and people treat him like dog shit on someone's shoe.

@Ghfjgjggj123shdhfnfmdk

Ай бұрын

Rio's excuse was he hasn't scored in a knockout Champions league game, even though we all know Saka's not even had the opportunity. That's one category he doesn't fit, meanwhile he fits every other category for being world class, Foden doesn't. That's why it's so frustrating

@Ghfjgjggj123shdhfnfmdk

Ай бұрын

We just want our players respected

@anonx4405

19 күн бұрын

Saka fails the eye test, it's that simple

Foden is good. But Saka is a bit better. I like both, and if England can, they should find a way to start both coz they are menaces.

@georgeb8679

Ай бұрын

Focus on your dying palestine

Great analysis good sir! You have earned yourself another follower 🎉 looking forward to seeing your content, it is much appreciated 🙌🏼

They are just phenomenal to watch. People try and make comparisons of who’s better etc… just enjoy ‘em man

This debate was honestly so stupid. The best comparison would be Foden and Xavi Simons, they are literally identical players and then compare Saka and Salah. Much closer debates

Saka is better by quite a distance. Foden couldn't have carried that struggling Arsenal team the way Saka did a few years ago.

1:46 left out number 1, ødegaaard😂

James, sometimes I think you don't know what you're talking about. Foden is great and even better at some things than Saka, but he is not more complete than Saka. Remind of the time Foden played leftback? Also, Saka has always been left CM/LW. Arteta moved him to the rught hand side, and he learned a whole new position in the past 2 years and is still better than Foden. You also forget the mentality and fitness, which are the most important tools in a footballer's locker. Saka has carried Arsenal from 8th to a title contender, Foden is yet to carry himself through a full season.

@adrianmedina2629

Ай бұрын

Bro… he said Saka is better.

Love them BOTH, as an Arsenal fan. Am very happy they play for England!!!

Foden has only ever let me down in fantasy football. Saka has always done me proud. Final straw was replacing Saka who had a single game for Foden who had two games - Saka got three times as many points in a single game week than Foden did in two. Years of Foden letting me down and I won’t have him ever again now Also Foden is clearly an intelligent player but completely thick. Saka is intelligent on and off the pitch. I think someone needs to have more than just football intelligence to get to the very elite eg De Bruyne and Kompany clearly World Class and two very intelligent people

Shocked that James is against a City player

@yunopepper76

2 ай бұрын

Remember when Foden got subbed on, England got a red card, then he got Subbed of Saka played the whole game… Pep product that PEPDEN

Saka should be starting RW for England, there's no doubt about that. The question is whether you fit Foden in the team with him, which I think you should - he's just too good to leave out. I've always said we should be moving to a more modern attacking system with Rice as a lone #6, Bellingham & Foden as #8/#10s in front of him. All are capable of playing those positions. People will say it's too attacking or lacking balance, but the reality if it was Pep, Arteta, Klopp etc - that's the midfield 3 they'd be playing. All are more than capable of playing those roles, it would be an insane midfield, but I just don't see it ever happening under Southgate. It's a shame because the position we have most depth in is attacking midfield - you'd also have Maddison, Palmer, Eze & Grealish that can all play there to a high level and yet Southgate will only play one of them (Bellingham). Instead he opts for far inferior players such as Henderson and Kalvin Phillips. Imagine that, effectively benching Foden for Kalvin Fucking Phillips. The only realistic way to get Foden and Saka into the same team with Southgate in charge is if Foden plays off the left, which I'm not really sure suits him with the way England plays, but it's basically the only way you can make it work. Right now he's surely ahead of the likes of Grealish, Rashford & Sterling for that position. We've seen Southgate play Maddison at LW in the past too, so I can see him doing the same with Foden. Basically the best we can hope for is this Kane Foden-Bellingham-Saka Rice-Trent Shaw-Tomori-Stones-Walker Pickford Even that is very optimistic that Southgate drops Maguire.

Per 90. Last season Foden's PPA: 1.80 Saka's PPA: 1.87 Last Season Crosses into Pen Area Foden: 0.44 Saka: 0.34 Last season Foden's PPR: 13.4 Saka's PPR: 14.7 Hardly any difference. Foden has had months of not having a target man in Haaland in the box and playing centrally on the final line of a 4 in attack taking the ball off Rodri close because KDB was injured. Also playing all over the midfield instead of the one position Saka did out wide. Saka has had multiple underlapping box runners in Ben White, Odeegard, Trossard, Havertz that he passes too from wide outside the box. This is just context, both are very good players but saying one "blows the other out of the water" is crazy without it.

@Football_Advanced

2 ай бұрын

I hear what you’re saying, but Foden has not had months without a target man- there is some sort of myth that haaland has been out for a while when he’s played 20/25 games. Also, does this not just show that Saka is improving year by year, as you would expect him to being as young as he is. I think in certain areas Saka blows all other English wingers out the water so it’s not an attack on Foden, but Saka has to start on the right. Foden can be used centrally or on the left if needed. Saka starts on the right for any country in Europe so you’d be silly not to have him here

@sharkfinn7234

2 ай бұрын

Saka has never had a target man so im not sure what your argument here is. Jesus is hardly a target man as he is never in the box and has been out injured for far longer than haaland anyway. Havertz has only played 2 games as striker all season. Trossard is not a target man either

@Nightsu

2 ай бұрын

@@Football_Advanced I mean this isn't about starting Saka on the right or not. He is as definite a starter as Kane is for England and is improving. All this is doing is trying to provide context to numbers instead of saying how JLA is putting it "Saka blows Foden out of the water". But he has also gone months without Haaland theyve only started 17 together and in the case of not having Haaland doesn't have box runners. Having 8 games without that can bring down averages a lot.

@Nightsu

2 ай бұрын

@@sharkfinn7234 I don't think you're understanding the point. Target man vs Box runners. City uses one, Arsenal use the other and they both result in passes in the penalty area. If you don't get that point then you won't understand the point im making. Why does Jesus' injury have any relevance lol?

@arvin9425

2 ай бұрын

​@@Nightsucity also uses box runners?

Such a well put together answer.

this is all dependent on how the manager has directed the team to play, especially Pep who forces his way and his way only, so some comparisons seem a bit futile

and sakas a year younger too

Very nice.

Ok, if we are gonna ignore that they different types of players, foden has more flair so catches the eye more, but Saka is simply more effective, he has more end product, if you want a player who looks pretty on the ball then foden, if you want a player who produces what is important in the game, then it's saka

At the end of the season that Mount left Chelsea, 22-23, him and Foden had the same number of goals and assists in the same number of Premier League appearances. Foden playing for one of the best teams and managers of the Prem era as a more attacking player. He is a great player don't get me wrong but what Saka has done in that Arsenal team is far more impressive.

@caseymiller7201

2 ай бұрын

Ah yes because Arteta plays a very defensive style

@stevem9529

2 ай бұрын

And what has saka done? Saka wouldn't even start at city

@iremakinde3853

2 ай бұрын

​@@stevem9529cry some

@BiggestBirdonMars

2 ай бұрын

This makes absolutely no sense

@mbonimpatimothy6051

2 ай бұрын

​@@stevem9529yah right! The same way Foden wouldnt start at England! 😅

As an arsenal I can see the excitement behind Foden but he is simply incomparable to saka he just more flair

Its like comparing a TV and a fridge, both are appliances but with different purpose

I dont think anyone is thinking Foden should start on the right. This does feel like comparing apples and Oranges - especially when all the stats used are misleading. Yeah Saka does receive more progressive passes, but Keane Lewis Potter is ahead of Foden. They mean little if theyre not contextualised. England have insane depth in some areas and that is great. Yes it is a task to try and get them all in and gel, but Foden and Saka are not competing against each other.

Some of the highlighted points are a bit misleading. Foden is a midfielder that is moved around due to his versatility to accommodate others lack of versatility (similar to Bernardo Silva). Whilst Saka is a wide-forward that has a nailed on position due to the Arsenal set-up. So certain stats will favour Saka, due to his consistent role that leads to him not needing to adapt and change movements to play into a changed line-up and position. What Foden is asked to do constantly moves, and is highlighted through his seasonal heat map. You can absolutely play both for England, but Foden is overall the better player. Plus, you should have a midfield of Bellingham, Foden and Rice, as with the arrival of Mbappe, Bellingham will revert back to his box-to-box style, like at Dortmund.

@edenholt4394

2 ай бұрын

Yeah one thing that doesn’t get touched upon is that fact that since Saka plays the same position every week and 9 times out of 10 he has the same players around him, they’ll naturally create patterns of attacking play which Foden won’t have to the same extent. If Foden was consistently the number 10 for any side he’d flourish even more in my opinion. I also like your logic with Bellingham reverting to being more of a box to box after Mbappe’s arrival. A midfield with Rice Bellingham and Foden has ridiculous potential. That said I have a pretty strong feeling Southgate will start Gallagher over Foden in the Euros and play Bellingham as the 10

@tesseract_uk

2 ай бұрын

Foden is called a midfielder when he’s shown to be worse than Saka. and after one good game the ‘better winger than saka’ shouts start up again. can’t have it both ways

@alzer6467

2 ай бұрын

Saka can play other positions, hes played LB, LW, LCM and I see him playing RCM in the future. Foden fools casual fans because hes aesthetically pleasing to watch, he's naturally more technically talented but that doesnt make him a better player. Saka excels at in game stats versus Foden, - progressive passing, progressive runs, duels won, tackles etc. Hes stronger, better at defending, better work rate, better decision making. Hes so strong, he bodies players like Konate and Rice (last season) that are twice the size of him. This is what coaches and managers see that casuals dont.

@J_Tevo

2 ай бұрын

@@tesseract_uk I’m not having it both ways… I’m saying he’s a midfielder. If you want to complain about others takes, reply to their stuff.

@J_Tevo

2 ай бұрын

@@alzer6467 Saka hasn’t played anywhere other than the right side since the 18th November 2021. He isn’t versatile, as a young player he was finding his role in the squad. Now, similar to Salah, he is defined by position and doesn’t move from that box. Also, like I stated, those stats are amplified due to his fixed role. If you have someone running the same patterns constantly, their ability to complete that function in the team gets better (the whole 10,000 hours thing). If you’re changing that role and position, numbers fluctuate, as one minute Foden is taking the ball off of CB’s and the next is a second striker with Haaland, so something like ‘carries’ are lowered the higher up the pitch you are.

It's harder to get impressive individual numbers when you have so many world class teammates that you're basically just another brick in the wall. That's why Foden is underrated. The fact you're even making this comparison despite the fact Foden isn't even a top 3 player for Man City just shows how special Foden is (especially his versatility). Saka is easy to tell he's a protagonist for his team, not so much for Foden. The 4:58 screen is precisely what I thought from this video. If even Grealish and Sterling both eclipse Foden, and we all know Grealish and Sterling are objectively inferior when compared to Foden, what exactly makes you think this stat is any good at comparing players's abilities? All of these stats depend on so many variants that it's hard to take the comparison seriously. With that being said, I have no problem with Saka being considered better, as I'm no Man City fan nor a Foden fanboy. But trying to bring the NBA/American sports mindset to football isn't the way imo. I love analyzing sports with stats, but not for cherrypicked ones. You can go right now to Football Reference and find multiple players ahead of Haaland in offensive stats. Are those players better than the best goal scorer in the world because of those (and remember Haaland has been scoring 1 goal per game for years now, it's not just Man City privilege)? I mean, some stats make sense, like how many times a player wins a duel in the air, because you either win an areal duel or you lose, but these cherrypicked ones won't ever tell the whole story. They show about players's tendencies given their current roles and that's it. Anything more than that requires way more context.

Great video James. Both exceptional players. Saka is the better player for me (bias included) but both should start for England nonetheless.

Anything stopping Foden being the right 10 and Jude being the LCM with Rice CDM?

As a fan of neither player's team, if i had the choice of only picking one of them then it's Saka, numbers never lie, however there definitely should be a strong argument for starting them both in the Euros.

Do a comparison of Saka vs Vinicius. Over the past 4 league seasons they're unbelievablely similar with almost identical goal contributions per game. I'm sick of everyone labeling him as world class because hes flashy and plays for Real. If Saka isn't world class then neither is Vinicius

Foden and saka are two different profiles so they're star boys in their on position for both club and country

Bruh the fact that Saka has LB experience shows he’s the more complete player cos saka can play everywhere foden can but we’ve never seen foden play at the back

As an arsenal fan, i love how clinical foden is. His shot accuracy is insane. However he often comes off the bench and is down the opposition team's list of priorities on who to mark. Saka plays the full 90 week in week out and is marked by 2-3 defenders all game

@Marsllama

2 ай бұрын

Foden has started 23 league games this season

@CaveWang

2 ай бұрын

Yeah this narrative foden doesn't start games is just wrong. He's started 28 of 31 games across the prem and champions league this season. He has a higher percentage of games started than bernardo

@shrisiva4016

2 ай бұрын

​@@MarsllamaSaka plays far more minutes

@Marsllama

2 ай бұрын

@@shrisiva4016 If Saka's not playing on the right for Arsenal, who is? Easy to play every minute when you've got no competition.

@stevem9529

2 ай бұрын

Foden is literally citys most played player. What a bad take

Came here thanks to Football Meta, wasn't disappointed. Regarding these two, even as an Arsenal fan I absolutely rate Foden. I think he's a brilliant footballer. What most impresses me about him, is that even within a team of superstars and hardcore winners he'll have days when he seemingly wins matches all by himself. Reminds me of Travolta in Saturday Night Fever: "Look out, give the kid some room, he's taking over again!"

Southgate should play Kane up front with Bellingham as a false 9 slotting behind Kane. Saka on the right with Foden in the middle, Rashford on the left and Rice as the holding midfielder

That Goals and Assists table from the beginning of the video just shows how much of a freak Alan Shearer was, to be the only 90s player on the list twice.

Great breakdown James 🔥🔥

I have to admit as Arsenal fan, when we score 5 or 6 goals Arteta want to stop scoring more goals by substituting Saka. He is that important.

Brilliant video

saka is definitely a better right winger than foden. Foden's best perfomances have come from foden driving into the midfield. In terms of progressive carries and balls into penalty area the difference all comes from how both teams with arsenal being a more direct team and mancity always looking for the right time when the opening comes. Can't remember the number of times i've seen a backpass and being annoyed.

Everyone acknowledges pep asks wingers to be as wide as possible. And when he’s not playing wing he’s playing as a centre forward to finish chances

fuck it England should play the Girona System just flipped to overload on the left. Let TAA Roam into that right half-space, Bellingham and Foden as the 8s that play high up the pitch with Grealish and Saka on the wings, Harry Kane Up top, Declan Rice in that Aleix Garcia role protecting the back line, John Stones in at that roaming RCB Daley Blind-type role, with Levi Colwill at LCB and Luke Shawn in that defensive LB role forming a back 3 with the LCB and the CDM.

what on Earth does "Pound for Pound most effective", mean when applied to a national team! Assumed monetary value just doesn't figure into selection.

me and a close friend of mine have long been saying that Saka and Foden need to play TOGETHER for England. Saka right and Foden in the middle and England are unplayable imo

They both need to play, just play your best players, even if they’re out of position a little bit.

Bellingham Rice double pivot and Foden at 10. Bellingham is a great box to box option, qnd has begun playing there more for Madrid. He was a 10 to the start the season because they lack attacking options but i think he is better further back where he is involved in more things.

Shouldn't Foden be compared to someone who plays AM? If you look at statts as a RW, it's not even close. Unless you're conveniently looking at the last 6 months. Even then, Saka wins.

bro saka can play left back he is the complete player

They’re different players, I think saka is better as a winger and 1v1 attack but foden is probably more technically, can play a bit more central or deeper wing midfield, both very versatile as saka has played fullback as well, with these 2 we have another golden generation coming

Saka is always the outlet ball got arsenal especially on the break. Man city are already high up the pitch so foden is receiving back passes as well as forward passes. Thats why Sakas numbers are higher, if you think Foden cant receive progressive passes on the half turn as well as Saka, you just dont watch football

The bad thing with this new era of football is the use of stats when we eyes see. Ronaldinho never had amazing stats but no one will say he wasn't spectacular. Neymar may even have better stats than Ronaldinho, does it make him better?

Rio Ferdinand knew what he was doing.😅

I don't know why they are being compared tbh, one is a winger, the other a CAM, Odegaard vs Foden would be a more accurate comparison

Just going by the stats, this comparison is incorrect. There is a massive difference in how the RWs play for their teams. For examplr, progressive passes received. Arteta wants Saka hugging the touchline, which stretches the defense. Arsenal create a central overload, pulling opposition full backs in so Saka goes unmarked and is the outlet of the pass. City play a more controlled and rotational game where progressive passes are shared and the passing points become different.

I didn’t need to watch a 10 minute video to know Foden is miles better. Thanks though.

saka has taken his game to next level.now he is learning to save energy instead of running around like a kid ....this what great players do, seen messi walk around like he doesnt care and then bang full power mode. i would love more freedom for saka and martinelli so they switched position

I feel like the systems they play in affect these stats too much to accurately compare them

I dont think its fair on Foden bc a lot of times he gets sacrifeced in a decoy role or just play in unfavourable position so that City can create the platform for KDB and Haaland their two superstars. While it feels like opposite for Saka where everything goes through him bc he is the star of his team.

As an Arsenal and England fan, thank you

its silly to compare an attacking midfielder who doesn't take penalties to a winger who takes them

00:50 Salah 6th after first attempt, as a winger !

These stats greatly depends on the team they are playing for. If you compare progressive passes recived stats for G. Jesus at Arsenal it's 8.36 thi season but if you compare it to City's 17/18 season he only had 1.83 progressive passes recived that's a huge difference.

I’ve always said about Saka that he’s not particularly physically or technically gifted. Maybe this is controversial, but I think Foden is better at every physical and technical offensive aspect of the game. Pace, dribbling, passing, shooting, finishing, agility, balance, etc. However, what makes Saka so good is his intelligence, teamwork (and his understanding of his teammates, as mentioned in this video), and ESPECIALLY his decision making. He has all 3 of these things in abundance as if he has the experience of a 35 year old. He doesn’t need to be the quickest or as technically gifted as some if he has near perfect decision making. Like imagine giving Adama Traore near perfect decision making, he’d probably be the best winger in the world LMAO. Not to say that Saka isn’t quick or technically gifted, he definitely is, just not in comparison to some other wingers who aren’t as good as him imo. In terms of who starts for England, I think both of them do? Maybe I’m forgetting someone, but I believe our LW options are Rashford, Sterling, or Grealish. I think Foden is way better than all 3 of them on current form. Him playing LW then allows Maddison, Mainoo, or Ward-Prowse to play in midfield with Rice and Bellingham as well. Not a bad team.

I prefer Folden. I think he's better on the ball

The 1, 2 and C at the start of the video triggered me more than I thought possible 😤 absolutely fuming

Foden passes the eye test but when it comes down simply to who gets the job done it's Saka. Do you want a pretty player or an efficient one. Honestly, you can't go wrong with either but Saka takes it in my opinion

Saka was dragging Arsenal out of the mud as a LEFTBACK and now he's the best RW in the world not named Salah Foden, extremely talented guy, grew up in literally the most perfect footballing environment known to man working under the best manager ever seen.

Araujo vs saliba ? Musiala vs wirtz ? Watkins vs toney ? Just some ideas

Let’s just be happy England has both of these stars

England has such an INSANE squad

The comparisons between the players is silly, 2 different positions. Foden is an absolute elite baller. Saka is a 1-man right wing dynamo. As an Arsenal fan, I'm more than happy we have Saka, so good, so consistent and so strong. Both players will only get better.

Oh sowwy, I didn't know a 'Stat Trophy' existed?! 🤓😂

Saka over Foden is such a forced debate. Saka has been heavily relied upon with crazy pressure week in week out. If Saka doesn’t perform well then Arsenal are screwed. With Foden, he’s not relied upon week in week out and if he doesn’t perform well, City will still likely win with De Bruyne, Haaland, Rodri and other players being world class and bailing them out. Not only does Foden not have that kind of pressure Saka does but also when Saka puts in a 6/10, he’ll get criticised because it’s obvious from how Arsenal have played but when Foden puts in a 6/10, he won’t get criticised because Bernardo Silva, Kdb and Haaland will make it look like he’s played awesome. Foden is not one of the top 5/6 players for City so if you’re saying that City’s 7th/8th best player is better than Arsenal’s best player then why are they so close in the league both last season and this season? Especially when City have the better manager which should make the gap bigger

@kkrr3677

2 ай бұрын

Saka is a goal and assist merchant honestly this season he doesn’t affect games with all around play

@fishfootball5301

2 ай бұрын

Foden has been city's 2nd best player this season behind rodri and carried us when kdb and haaland were out. You talk about responsibility- how about competition? Who has Saka actually got to face to get into the Arsenal squad? Reiss Nelson. Foden has had competition from Sterling, Bernardo, KDB, Mahrez, Sane, Palmer, Gundogan, David Silva, Grealish, Ferran Torres and others in the positions he plays and yet was still starting all the knockout games and contributing in a UCL final run in 20/21. Last season he had his appendix removed and had fitness issues after the world cup which was the only reason he didn't play more during the run in, yet still came on in the CL final and ran the game, almost scoring a wondergoal. Saka is yet to face competition or the true responsibility of trophy deciding games consistently, and when he has, he's crumbled. Where was he at the end of last season, for example in the Liverpool 2-2 draw, West Ham 2-2 draw where he missed the pen, Brighton battering you 0-3 at the emirates and the away game vs forest where the final nail was put in the coffin. He can play less roles in the forward line and is all in all entirely useless in the actual important run in. He is a fantastic player, but Foden comparisons are simply generous for Saka.

@shrisiva4016

2 ай бұрын

​@@fishfootball5301I like how you said that Foden had injuries but ignored that Saka was playing with a knock during the run in last season. And no, Foden didn't run the gane in CL final at all, and he missed a big chance. Using trophy logic for judging which player is better is silly. They're both great players and Saka has outperformed Foden in terms of G/A since he became a right winger and is more creative than him this season. Don't act like it's generous to Saka, don't like it when people are disingenuous about this debate.

@fishfootball5301

2 ай бұрын

@@shrisiva4016 if you watch the 2 players it’s quite obvious. It’s not really a good debate anyway bc Foden is an unbelievably technically gifted and beautiful to watch player while saka is a very effective winger. Foden has done it in the biggest competition in the world for many years, this is saka’s first season. He’s not ready to be compared to Foden as an overall player, but as an out and out attacking winger he’s on the same level. Don’t forget in saka’s best ever season last year, it was foden’s worst and yet foden’s numbers were still comparable

@paulcasey4282

2 ай бұрын

@@kkrr3677 Did you even watch the video? Check out that stat at 4:58 which shows not only is he crucially involved in the build up, he is over twice as involved as Foden is in City’s buildup

Dribbling- Foden Passing- Saka Scoring- Saka Positioning- Foden Track back- Saka Confidence- Foden Speed- Foden IQ- Saka Teamwork- Saka Counter Target- Foden They're both fanstastic players who need to be given playtime together in one team. But if ur talking strictly on who gets to play RW for England, Saka.

I’m an Arsenal fan but I really enjoy watching FF play. We need both in the England team, with JB and definitely WITHOUT Henderson.

@MithridatesIX

Ай бұрын

Don't you mean PF? Isn't his name Phil?

@matthewnewton9129

Ай бұрын

@@MithridatesIX yep. I phucked up!

trent and rice double pivot with jude 10 vs rice and jude with maddison in the 10 (or foden)

- The passes into the penalty area has to take into account Haaland being out for months so there was no target and Foden sometimes playing central in the box himself. Underlaps into the penalty area play a big part in this stat too. KDB's PPA blows everyone out of the water because a lot of the time hes playing in the wide channels like Saka. - Same with progressive passes, Saka usually plays wide whilst Foden receives in central areas close to Rodri which isn't enough distance to be considered progressive. - 2 players that play completely different positions so numbers need context. This isn't for or against Saka vs Foden, just needs context.

@Never_Wr0ng

2 ай бұрын

funny how the "context" mostly comprises of EXPLAINATION for Foden's low numbers......

@tomc8217

2 ай бұрын

If arsenal had a haaland Saka would have even more passes into the penalty area. That point is pretty redundant

@Nightsu

2 ай бұрын

@@tomc8217 Why are you acting like im trying to support Foden and not Saka? I rate Saka over Foden atm, but Foden hasn't benefitted off having Haaland for months and Saka has multiple box runners like Odegaard, Trossard, Havertz. The point isn't redundant when Saka has had box presence and Foden has had 0. Just to prove this, in the last 4 games with Haaland playing Foden averages 3 PPA, 0.8 more than Saka. And last season Foden's PPR was in the 95th percentile. Per 90. Last season Foden's PPA: 1.80 Saka's PPA: 1.87 Last Season Crosses into Pen Area Foden: 0.44 Saka: 0.34 Last season Foden's PPR: 13.4 Saka's PPR: 14.7 Hardly any difference.

@Nightsu

2 ай бұрын

@@Never_Wr0ng that's exactly how context works? explaining the reason behind something. 👍

@Never_Wr0ng

2 ай бұрын

@@Nightsu Umm, no, actually that's not how context works. Context works by providing the full picture. Stating "I'm not for or against" while using facts which only diminish one argument while protecting the other isn't necessarily context. It's just that - Fact. Just like the fact that Foden isn't man marked by multiple players every game which makes everything easier for Foden. There's some context for you.

This is the CR7 Messi debate all over again. One is a flashy skillful player and the other hardly puts a foot wrong

Saka is a traditional English winger while Foden feels like a product of Spanish football. I think at least in this England team, Saka is more important.