Manchester United legend Paul Ince has tipped Bukayo Saka to challenge for the Ballon d’Or within the next two years amid his “frightening” performances for Arsenal.
Saka has excelled for the Gunners in their charge to the top of the Premier League this season. The winger has scored eight goals and notched seven assists, as well as starring for England at the World Cup in their run to the quarter-finals.
While he did not make the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or award last year, he did finish eighth in the race to win the Kopa Trophy, given to the best performing player under the age of 21. However, Ince believes that his performances this term earn better recognition.
Ince contrasted Saka’s starring performances with the disappointing displays from Antony since his mega-money move to Manchester United. The Gunners talisman was hailed for how he has bounced back from missing the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final.
“I always say to myself, if Antony is worth £80million-plus, then imagine if Ryan Giggs was playing – he’d be worth £200million. Antony is a very good player but the way Bukayo Saka is playing right now is frightening,” Ince told Premier League Odds.
“The penalty miss at the Euros seems to have really spurred him on. Saka is going to be one of the best players in the world. Saka is the go-to guy for Arsenal and he will only get better.
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“Without a doubt, he will be challenging for Ballon d’Or titles. He can do that in the next two years. If the Ballon d’Or was awarded now, he would be in the running because he’s been stupendous, and long may it continue.”
Saka recently played a key role as the Gunners claimed a statement win over United. He scored his side’s second goal and revealed his delight at his performances this season.
“I’m playing with a lot confidence, playing with a smile, playing with freedom and everyone around me is playing so well. It’s a pleasure to play I this team. I enjoy every game, definitely,” Saka said.
“We know how big this game is, the history between the two clubs, and also looking at the table, how big it would be if we won this. We managed to do it, so you could see from the celebrations how much it meant to everyone.
“I think today, we showed we can play at another level. We can play when there’s pressure on us. I think it’s the earliest time this season we’ve gone behind and we fought back, and even until the end, we kept going until the last minute.
“Every game I come here, I’m always looking forward to it, I’m always playing with a smile because I know even if we make a mistake, even if we go behind, the fans are going to push us on, like they did again today and create something special in the end.”
