The discussion surrounding young wingers in the Premier League has been intense among football fans worldwide. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable performers, while Manchester United’s Amad Diallo is beginning to establish himself as an exciting talent. When Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was asked to compare the two, he offered a perspective that caught many by surprise.
Van Dijk, who has competed against some of the best attackers globally, including Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappé, analyzed the strengths of both wingers. He acknowledged that Amad possesses all the qualities that Saka does but emphasized two specific attributes that make the Ivorian special—qualities that have even been seen in Salah’s game at the highest level.
Many fans were astonished by Van Dijk’s opinion. Given Saka’s consistency and impact for Arsenal, most assumed the Dutch defender would favor him. However, Van Dijk instead pointed out Amad’s unique strengths, which he believes make him an especially dangerous player. His unpredictability, fearlessness, and trickery, according to Van Dijk, make him a nightmare for defenders.
The first quality Van Dijk highlighted was Amad’s ability to change direction at full speed while keeping control of the ball. This is a skill that has been instrumental in Salah’s success, enabling him to beat defenders with agility and precision. Amad, despite limited playing time, has shown glimpses of this ability, particularly during his loan spell at Sunderland, where he frequently outmaneuvered defenders.
The second trait that sets Amad apart is his ability to deliver in crucial moments. Van Dijk noted that while Saka has been outstanding, Amad possesses a natural ability to step up when the stakes are highest. This mirrors Salah’s tendency to shine in high-pressure situations, making him invaluable to his team.
Amad’s career at Manchester United has been full of ups and downs. Signed from Atalanta for a considerable sum, he has spent time on loan developing his skills. While Saka has already become a key figure at Arsenal, Amad is still striving for a consistent place at United. However, with Erik ten Hag showing confidence in young talent, Amad might soon get his breakthrough moment.
Despite Van Dijk’s praise, Saka remains one of the most complete young wingers in football. His reliability, end product, and tactical intelligence make him a crucial player for Arsenal, especially as they challenge for major trophies. While Van Dijk’s assessment suggests that Amad has qualities Saka doesn’t use as often, it doesn’t necessarily mean he is the superior player—just different in style.
The question now is whether Amad can follow a path similar to Salah’s. Salah wasn’t an immediate success in England, struggling for minutes at Chelsea before finding his form at Roma and later becoming a world-class player at Liverpool. Van Dijk believes Amad has that kind of potential if given the right opportunities. Whether he fulfills that promise or not, the debate over his ability compared to Saka will continue, with both players eager to prove themselves on the pitch.
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