William Saliba has had a standout season with Arsenal, who he has helped lead to a Premier League-best 28 goals against over 37 games.
Saliba has earned plaudits for his defensive work this season for the Gunners, who are in with a chance at the league title heading into the final weekend of the campaign.
Much of Arsenal's success this season can be linked to Saliba and the rest of the backline, but a former Gunner believes it's too early to consider Saliba as the best defender in the world.
Speaking to Genting Casino, William Gallas said his namesake and fellow Frenchman needs to have more influence for Les Bleus before he can be named among the world's best.
"I’ve said it before, to be the best defender in the world, you have to play for your national team," Gallas said. "You have to play in the big competitions internationally, he is maybe one of the best in Europe, but not in the world.
"To be the best in the world, you have to be in the starting XI for your national team and next month I hope he gets his chance to do this with France [at Euro 2024].
"He deserves it, but in France we have a lot of good defenders so he will have competition and if he gets the opportunity he has to take it. He will have to adapt to new teammates, it is another level of pressure.
"If he starts for the French national team and goes very far in the competition then we can discuss him as being one of the best defenders in the world."
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