"You've got to look at longevity" - Mark Goldbridge explains why Arsenal star is superior to Chelsea's Cole Palmer
Mark Goldbridge sided with Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka over Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer when deciding which of the two is superior. The England internationals are two of the Premier League's top forwards.
Palmer, 22, has been in remarkable form this season, registering six goals and four assists in eight games across competitions. He's picked up where he left off last season when he bagged 25 goals and 15 assists in his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Goldbridge acknowledged Palmer as an amazing player, but he prefers Saka. He alluded to the Arsenal star's longevity when speaking on his X account:
"I'm a massive fan of Saka so i'm gonna go Saka. I think Cole Palmer is amazing but I think sometimes you have to look at longevity aswell. I think there's big similarities and a lot of people would say Cole Palmer, but I think what Cole Palmer is doing at Chelsea, Saka has done at Arsenal for three or four years. That Arsenal team wasn't very good and Saka has always been the consistent player in that growth of that dynasty."
Saka, 23, has started the season with one goal and five assists in eight games across competitions. He's been the Gunners' protagonist since breaking onto the scene in 2018, posting 59 goals and 58 assists in 234 games.
There is a debate to be had over which of the attacking duo should be England's starting right-winger. The Three Lions' interim boss, Lee Carsley, might have a difficult decision to make in upcoming Nations League games against Greece (October 10) and Finland (October 13).
"More direct" - Gareth Southgate explained why he chose Arsenal's Bukayo Saka over Chelsea's Cole Palmer
Saka was England's starting right-winger at Euro 2024, while Palmer was handed a bit-part role. The Gunners man struck one goal and one assist as the Three Lions finished runners-up in Germany.
Gareth Southgate was asked about opting for Saka over Chelsea's in-form forward during the European Championships. The former England boss said (via talkSPORT):
"Slightly different players, but both of them favour their left foot and coming in, rolling off the right wing. Bukayo perhaps is more direct, more speed and more experienced, clearly."
Palmer came to the fore for his country in the 2-1 final defeat to Spain, coming off the bench and striking a fine equalizer. Many question whether Southgate should have given him a more prominent run in the team during the tournament.