Pundit can’t believe Bukayo Saka development after Arsenal news from France
Noel Whelan has claimed Arsenal star Bukayo Saka deserves “more recognition” on an international level after he was ranked eighth in this year’s Kopa Trophy.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, backed the 21-year-old to be a regular starter for England at next month’s World Cup in Qatar.
Saka finished in eighth place in the 2022 Kopa Trophy rankings, with the top award handed to Barcelona starlet Gavi in the Ballon d’Or award ceremony in France on Monday (17 October).
The award is given to the best-performing player under the age of 21, and the Arsenal superstar was also beaten out by the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Jamal Musiala, and Jude Bellingham.
Saka, who was named England’s Player of the Year for 2021-22, has already netted five goals this season to follow up his 12-strike haul from last term.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month (5 October) that Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle on a mega-money extension for the midfielder that will elevate his wage to nearly £200,000-a-week.
Whelan insisted Saka “won’t worry” about his lowly ranking in the award and will instead focus on delivering success to the Emirates Stadium once again.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “He deserves more recognition, not just in the Premier League but on an international level.
“He’s shot to fame in the past few years and there’s definitely a case to say that eighth is not a suitable ranking for the talent he has.
“He won’t worry too much about this. The fact that he’s in the top ten is a great credit to him, but he’ll be focused on what he’s doing for Arsenal.
“The World Cup is coming up too, so he’ll want to stay in good form for that too – because he’s got to be in the starting eleven.
“His goal against Leeds was fantastic – you’ve got to say it was a clinical finish.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire lambasts “spectacular arrogance” as Arsenal chief quits.