Ex-Arsenal defender William Gallas believes that William Saliba will need a more experienced centre-back to learn from if he is to reach his potential.

Saliba has had an excellent start to the season for the Gunners but Gallas claims that the 21-year-old is lacking a Paolo Maldini-type figure who could help improve his game:

“At the moment Saliba doesn’t have anyone. When I talk about experienced players, I’m talking about top-class defenders. That’s why I’m a little bit worried for him. If he wants to go to another level he needs to be next to top class defenders. If we speak about John Terry, who was next to him? Marcel Desailly. Rio Ferdinand? He was next to Vidic, or I’m not sure who before that. All the defenders, they learned from someone. Nesta, he was next to Maldini. So for defenders to go to the next level you need that. When he turns 25, 26, it will be his turn to lead the defensive line and he will play with young players who will learn from him. For example Fofana, he has a great opportunity to learn a lot from Thiago Silva.”

In a lot of ways, Gallas is right. There are plenty of different aspects to a centre-back’s game and having a mentor (who has been there and done it) can certainly help a player’s development.

It could be argued, though, that Saliba has been getting that type of advice whilst with the French national team, where he has played alongside World Cup winners Raphael Varane, Presnel Kimpembe and Lucas Hernandez.

Of course, it would probably be better for him to have someone at club level he could also call upon for advice, but his early performances for Arsenal suggest he may already have all he needs to succeed in the Premier League.