Chelsea legend John Terry has issued a strong warning to William Saliba, insisting that the French defender may struggle to reclaim his starting spot in Arsenal's line-up, after the club signed Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa.
A regular starter last season, Saliba played his part in Arsenal's Premier League title triumph. He then missed the opening match of the current campaign after undergoing surgery on a back problem.
Cristhian Mosquera stepped in for Saliba that day, with Piero Hincapie left on the bench.
Arsenal bolstered their centre-back options last week, confirming the completion of Konsa's move from Aston Villa.
Terry, whose time in the Midlands overlapped with the England defender, reckons Saliba faces a tough job winning his place back.
Asked on the FC Bullard channel on the "TikTok" app to name the best value signing of the summer transfer window, the Chelsea legend went for Konsa. "I'll go for Ezri Konsa for Arsenal," he said.
He added: "It's a huge signing. I think even when William Saliba is back to full fitness, he won't reclaim his place in Arsenal's line-up, and I think Ezri Konsa is that good."
He continued: "I worked with him at Aston Villa, and he's a player with a great deal of strength and drive, but he's also happy to play at the halfway line, because if the ball goes in behind him he's quick enough to get to it and recover his position. He's a very good player, very good."
Now 25, Saliba joined Arsenal in 2019 but has only nailed down a regular first-team spot over the past four seasons, following loan spells with Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille.
Konsa, by contrast, was a mainstay at Aston Villa. The Midlands side won the Europa Conference League on his watch, and he also featured in European competition for three seasons under Unai Emery.
You can discuss the topics and news in greater depth in the "Kooora" forums