William Saliba can become France's version of Virgil van Dijk, according to Emmanuel Petit.
Saliba was an integral part of an Arsenal defence that was tops in the Premier League last season, and he played 90 minutes in the Gunners' season-opening 2-0 victory over Fulham on the weekend. The 23-year-old has also become a first-choice defender for France as one half of a centre-back partnership with Dayot Upamecano at Euro 2024.
Saliba's emergence for both club and country has former Arsenal and France player Petit drawing comparisons between the young defender and Van Dijk, who has long been seen as the standard-bearer for centre-backs in Europe.
"Virgil van Dijk is still the best defender in the Premier League, he's achieved so much for Liverpool," Petit told Safe Casino Sites. "But, William Saliba has grown so much already and still has a lot of potential.
"Saliba was a nice surprise in the French national team and his improvement has been amazing. He does remind me of when Van Dijk was a bit younger, playing for a huge club like Liverpool and is the spine for club and country.
"Saliba is already one of the best leaders and defenders in the Premier League, he can become the French Van Dijk, but he's not quite there right now."
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