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William Saliba has been named Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Year and earned a place in Ligue 1’s Team of the Year to cap off a very productive season-long loan at Marseille.
The centre-back, 21, has excelled during a season-long loan stint at Marseille, an ever-present defensive rock for Jorge Sampaoli’s men making 51 appearances across all competitions.
Saliba was recognised for his fine efforts across the 2021/22 campaign at the latest Trophées UNFP du football awards on Sunday night, claiming young player honours – an award picked up by Monaco’s Aurélien Tchouaméni last term.
UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year 🏆
William Saliba 💫
Congratulations, Wilo 👏 pic.twitter.com/sh6h61GQ6k
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 15, 2022
The Arsenal defender was in fine company, with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe winning Ligue 1 Player of the Year for the third successive season.
Rennes boss Bruno Génésio was named Manager of the Year, while PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma was named best goalkeeper and Real Madrid’s evergreen Ballon d’Or favourite Karim Benzema won the prize for best French player abroad.
During Saliba’s time in France, he was also deservedly awarded with his first international call-up to the star-studded French squad and made his debut in March.
The on-loan Gunners star finished top of the votes ahead of Arnaud Kalimuendo, who spent a second season on loan at Lens from Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon centre-back Castello Lukeba, PSG left-back Nuno Mendes, who is on loan from Portuguese side Sporting and Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, who is the son of France’s World Cup winner Lilian.
The 21-year-old was also included in Ligue 1’s Team of the Season alongside Mbappe, Tchouameni and his Marseille teammate Dimitri Payet.
William Saliba named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season. 🇫🇷 #TropheesUNFP pic.twitter.com/JlD27uLUbj
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) May 15, 2022
Saliba, meanwhile, admits his future is still up in the air ahead of his return to the Emirates this summer.
‘Since the first match [with Marseille], I have been very well received,’ he said on Sunday.
‘I don’t regret for a minute coming here, I thank all the supporters, the staff, and my teammates.’
Asked if he will stay on at Marseille for another season, Saliba replied: ‘We’ll see, only time will tell.’
Despite signing for the Gunners three years ago, the Frenchman is yet to make his senior debut for Arsenal and considering the season he has enjoyed, the Gunners will certainly be silly not to include him in their plans next for next season.
