in Marseille, Saliba launches a lot

65,000 supporters holding their breath for three seconds. Then who release their joy. It wasn’t a goal, but it was just as decisive. At the 84^e minute of the Classic Marseille-Paris (0-0), William Saliba tackled Kylian Mbappé, flawless at the entrance to his area, to avoid a potentially fatal goal for OM. “I said to myself, either I take it (the ball) or I take it red», Smiled Saliba, native of Bondy like Mbappé, in the mixed zone. A tackle like the icing on the cake of “best match of my career, for the atmosphere“. If he was galvanized by the supporters of the Vélodrome, the central defender (20) owes his remarkable season not only to the stands.

“He is really a talented player defensively, not only in scoring but also in the game with the ball”

Jorge Sampaoli on William Saliba last September

At the heart of the great turnover imposed by Jorge Sampaoli, Saliba is one of the rare constants of the eleven Olympian: he has played 12 of OM’s 13 matches in full this season. “He’s a top player at his post, rejoiced Sampaoli last September. He’s a really talented player defensively, not just in scoring but also in the game with the ball.»Proof of his importance in the offensive phase, Saliba is the 3^e Ligue 1 defender with the most successful passes in the last third of the field (54), behind Kimpembe (PSG) and Gradit (Lens) at 57. “He adapted very well to the three-defender system and helps us a lot in the exit of the ball and the raise.», Decrypts Sampaoli.

Confidence that spreads to OM

The fluidity of the Marseille game, which has installed the club in the top 4 of Ligue 1, has its roots in defense. In the left axis, there is the Brazilian Luan Peres, the most used Marseillais this season, who successfully discovers the concept of three defense. In the right axis, there is therefore Saliba.

And, full axis, for 3 matches, there is a ghost: Duje Caleta-Car, announced on the start during the last two mercatos. The Croatian (25) has left his excitement behind him and, in a rearguard that oozes confidence, can also make his game speak. At only 20 years old, Saliba exudes charisma and leadership to watch over the goals of Pau Lopez, who has also raised his level in the cages for 3 meetings. Saliba, “it’s a great future of French football», Summarized Sampaoli.

SEE ALSO – The medical visit and Saliba’s first steps at OM last summer

Captain of the Blueberries

With a reference match against the offensive armada of PSG, Saliba, captain of the France U21 team, is approaching the turning point of his season. He rarely has the opportunity to breathe, which is all the more worrying in the intense and therefore voracious game advocated by Sampaoli. And the next few weeks will not be kind with OM. There is this match to catch up on the lawn of OGC Nice this Wednesday (9 p.m.), where Saliba will rub shoulders with Dolberg, Delort and Gouiri who are terrorizing Ligue 1. Then a trip to Clermont on Sunday (8:45 p.m.) at Mohamed Bayo’s and his 6 goals in 10 matches, followed by Lazio’s reception of Ciro Immobile on Thursday in the Europa League. And finally, on November 21, a visit to Groupama Stadium in Lyon. Busy schedule.

Read alsoSolid, playful, elegant … OM’s defense is also a show

With Saliba, OM have offered themselves insurance. But for how long ? The former Stéphanois is loaned by Arsenal without an option to buy. The Gunners had bet € 30m on him in 2019 and let him harden up for a year with the Greens. But at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta never deemed him ready. He spent the beginning of 2021 in Nice, where he was also unanimous. But still no place in London, hence this arrival in Marseille. “William Saliba has all the assets to become a good player, just like Kurt Zouma whom I had with me“Flattered José Mourinho in May 2019. Zouma, 27, was twice champion of England and lifted the Champions League with Chelsea, in addition to 8 capes in Blue. A trajectory which appears in the ropes of Saliba.