Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, comparing him to Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez.
Saka has established himself as one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League, netting six goals and providing a further six assists in the league this term. It’s that kind of output that has propelled the Gunners to first in the current standings, sitting five points clear of Pep Guardiola’s City.
Now, former England international Ferdinand has hailed the 21-year-old’s ability, claiming that he would rather face Mahrez than Saka on his FIVE YouTube channel. “If I had to play against one or the other, I’d rather play against Mahrez over Saka, because [of] Saka’s pace,” Ferdinand said.
“For me as a defender if I was going to play full back, he’d want to go by you all the time. He’s a threat always to go behind you, whereas Mahrez takes little breathers in games.
“Listen, Mahrez is nuts. In terms of take-ons either way, he’s one of the most efficient and effective.”
It is high praise indeed for Saka considering Mahrez is one of the most accomplished wingers in the country, winning the league title with Leicester back in 2016 before repeating that feat a further three times with the Citizens too. The two talented attackers will face each other at the Etihad Stadium in the fourth round of the FA Cup later this month before battling it out again in the league at the Emirates on February 15.
