Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore rates Arsenal star Bukayo Saka slightly higher than Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham.
Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham are widely considered England’s best young players and carry huge expectations around them. Both stars have started their respective season in superb form. The Arsenal man has five goals and as many assists in all competitions, while the Real Madrid star has taken his game to another level.
Bellingham has ten goals in as many games across all competitions, alongside three assists. He has been a force to reckon with since moving to Real Madrid. Similarly, Saka has maintained his good form for the Gunners, who have remained unbeaten in the Premier League after eight games.
Comparing the two players is difficult and does not warrant any need. The two play in completely different positions. But if someone wants to place them together for competition, it should be based on the impact they have had this season.
In that aspect, too, both players stand out, as Saka has been Arsenal’s most consistent attacker. Bellingham has secured vital points, often late in games for Real Madrid, but his overall numbers have been staggering.
Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore talked up the two players in his column on Caught Offside. He compared the two English stars and gave Saka a slight nod above Bellingham, stating the Arsenal man is his player of the season so far.
“Bukayo Saka gets the nod ahead of Jude Bellingham as player of the season so far. The reason I’ve chosen Saka is because he’s not allowed missing the penalty for England, which is only two years ago, to affect him.”
“Being a particularly young man, a relative rookie, he’s already being thought of as the top man, the game changer at Arsenal, and he’s taking that all on board whilst scoring goals and creating chances. Just brilliant.”
“I could equally say Jude Bellingham as my pick for the season’s best player so far. What an incredible start for life at the world’s biggest football club. His trajectory – Birmingham-Dortmund-Madrid – has always been forward.”
“That dude has also very cleverly done well to escape the spotlight. He comes back and plays for England and if he plays poorly, he goes back to Madrid and plays well. Nobody’s really gonna care if you play poorly.”
Saka only signed a new contract in the summer as Arsenal secured their star player’s future for many more years. Over the last few years, the winger has gone from strength to strength for club and country. He is already a bonafide starter under Gareth Southgate for England, similar to Bellingham.
Bellingham and Saka are expected to start all important games for England between now and next summer’s Euros. Saka is currently injured for Arsenal and England but could return after the international break for the short trip across to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea.
