In a recent interview with ESPN, English footballer and Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher made a bold claim that has sparked debate among sports fans and pundits alike. The Crystal Palace midfielder named Arsenal's Bukayo Saka as a superior player to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, one of the most celebrated players in world football today.
Mohamed Salah is currently enjoying an exceptional season. His outstanding performances have placed him as a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or and he seems almost certain to win the PFA Player of the Year award if he maintains his current form.
Liverpool are currently favourites to clinch the Premier League title, largely due to Salah’s contributions on the field. He has been instrumental in leading his team to their current position at top of table.
Rise of other Premier League wingers
However, while Salah’s brilliance cannot be denied, other wingers in the Premier League have also been delivering impressive performances this season. Chelsea's Cole Palmer has shown great promise while Arsenal boasts its own superstar winger - Bukayo Saka.
Saka has had an excellent run this season which hasn't gone unnoticed by Gallagher who stated that Saka is actually outperforming Salah at present.
When asked by ESPN to choose between Saka and Liverpool star player Mohamed Salah, Gallagher didn’t hesitate before picking his England campmate ahead of Liverpool’s talismanic forward. This choice may be influenced by personal bias as both players share camaraderie from their time together with England national team.
Gallagher didn't limit himself just choosing between these two players; he also weighed in on several other tough footballing decisions during his interview with ESPN.
Comparing performances
While it is true that Bukayo Saka has been brilliant this season, comparing him to Salah based on this season’s form might be a bit of a stretch. Salah has been the most effective player in the Premier League this term, leading both in scoring and assisting. He is on track to break numerous records this season and his incredible form has been instrumental for Liverpool's success.
Liverpool's management needs to address Salah’s contract situation as soon as possible, with his current contract set to expire next summer. Fortunately, talks are progressing well and it is expected that an agreement will be reached in the coming weeks. While Saka has also had an impressive run this term, it would be hard-pressed to find any player who has performed at Salah's level during this season.
Gallagher's claim about Saka being better than Salah may have stirred up some controversy among sports fans and betting enthusiasts alike. While Saka is undoubtedly a talented player with a bright future ahead of him, comparing him directly with Mohamed Salah - one of the world’s best players - might not do justice to either party given their individual contributions and performances for their respective teams.
