William Saliba puts to bed Liverpool claims as Arsenal receive Ballon d’Or justification

It used to be a debate. Arsenal and Liverpool supporters would host online battles of words over who had the best French defender with William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate at the centre of these debates.

I myself have been involved in them and gone back and forth, arguing the points as to why the Arsenal man is ahead of his Reds contemporary. Yet, while before there was definitely a discussion to be had with both performing consistently for their respective clubs, that has now changed.

Saliba has taken a considerable lead in the debate despite both still being key parts of Didier Deschamps’ France squad for this September international break. They were joined by Wesley Fofana of Chelsea, a former Saint Etienne teammate of Saliba and a player who many thought would be among the debate of best French centre-back by now but injuries have plagued his development in west London after moving from Leicester City.

Speaking of injury, this reality for Konate has also allowed Saliba to take the lead of late too. The Arsenal man played every minute of every Premier League game during the 2023/24 season as the Gunners chased yet another title which sadly fell short to Manchester City at the second time of asking.

Konate on the other hand played just 22 league games, suffering multiple minor issues and come the end of the season had lost his place under Jurgen Klopp to Jarell Quansah. Arne Slot has since reinstated the Frenchman and the battle looks set to resume again but he has some catching up to do.

Saliba played every minute for France during their run to the semi-finals of the European Championships whereas Konate remained an unused substitute for every single game. Saliba has overtaken his teammate in Deschamps’ eyes despite the manager once being openly critical of the Arsenal man’s international performances.

Saliba has since been awarded with a place on the 2024 shortlist for the Ballon d’Or. Saliba joins Arsenal teammates Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka on the 30-man shortlist.

Liverpool meanwhile do not have a single representative, not even Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah were able to make the list despite the Dutchman making the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. The Reds faulted at the end of last season, falling out of the running early for the title which the Gunners took to the final day.

Saliba and Konate’s turnaround is somewhat symbolic of their respective club’s positioning in the current state of English football. Arsenal have been the more dominant club over the last two years and this is perhaps in part due to the respective differing contributions of their French centre-backs.

Liverpool however do have the lead at this stage of the season and Konate is back in the side as mentioned with Slot instilling an even greater defensive feel compared to Klopp. The stage is set for this battle to reignite, it is on Saliba to ensure that it remains, for now, extinguished.