Saliba Player Review
Pros
Strong physical presence
At 6.4, Saliba is a dominant and commanding defender. His physicality is top-notch — he wins duels with ease, holds off attackers, and maintains balance under pressure. His strength makes him one of the most reliable centre-backs in physical battles.
Outstanding defending
His defensive attributes are elite. Saliba’s standing and sliding tackles are clean, precise, and perfectly timed. His man marking and interception ability are highly consistent, allowing him to stop dangerous plays before they develop.
Excellent awareness and aggression
Saliba reads the game brilliantly. His defensive awareness ensures he positions himself effectively, while his aggression helps him recover quickly even after being beaten. He tracks back fast and rarely gets caught out of position.
Impressive pace
For a tall centre-back, Saliba’s pace is impressive. His combination of strong sprint speed and sharp acceleration makes him excellent at recovery runs, helping him deal with quick attackers in open space.
Good passing ability
Equipped with the Long Passer trait, Saliba’s distribution is very reliable. His short and long passes are accurate, helping build play from the back and launch counterattacks effectively.
Composure and consistency
Due to his awareness, balance, and physical dominance, Saliba rarely gets stunned or beaten easily. Even in tough defensive scenarios, he stays composed and recovers quickly.
Cons
Stamina concerns
His stamina is on the lower side. During matches with high defensive intensity or frequent sprints, he can tire faster, which may slightly affect his performance in the later stages of the game.
Lacks key defensive traits
While solid overall, he misses key defensive traits like Dives Into Tackles or Power Header, which could have made him even more complete in certain situations, especially during set pieces.
Conclusion
Saliba is an outstanding centre-back with elite defending, strong physicality, and reliable passing. His pace, awareness, and consistency make him a defensive wall in any backline. Apart from slightly low stamina and the absence of a few key traits, he’s one of the most balanced and dominant CBs available.
Rating 9.6/10