Jack Grealish believes Bukayo Saka is one of the best wingers in the world, but he denies that the Arsenal man should be described as “skilful”.
Ahead of Everton’s game against Arsenal this weekend, on-loan Manchester City player Jack Grealish discussed one of Saturday’s opponents in Bukayo Saka.
Grealish argued that as highly as he rates Saka, he wouldn’t describe the winger as ‘skilful’ for the same reason as he wouldn’t describe Jeremy Doku as skilful.
The 30-year-old believes skills are more about tricks and being able to operate in tight areas on small pitches, whereas he thinks Saka and Doku need more space to exploit.
“Saks, for example, is so good, one of the best wingers in the world. But he’s not skilful,” Grealish said.
“[Skilful is] tricks and like putting someone in a five-a-side pitch where it’s tight and they’re just going in and out of people.
“A lot of wingers that I play with, they need space. Like [Jeremy] Doku, for example, you wouldn’t put him in a small five-a-side pitch. [He] might need a bit of space for his pace and stuff, Saka as well.”
Skilful or not, Saka is certainly an incredibly effective player. His goals and assists have been vital over the last couple of months, and those stats don’t even include performances like last weekend’s against Wolves, forcing two own goals.
Some of Saka’s best performances this season have come in games where he hasn’t had a direct goal contribution. The Wolves game is an obvious one, but there’s also the win away to Fulham, or the victory over Atletico Madrid.
The Gunners will be relying on the England international to help them to another three points away to Everton this weekend.