Ramsdale shares what Saka told him about William Saliba this morning before England vs France tomorrow

By Lee Connor

Aaron Ramsdale has told TalkSPORT that both he and Bukayo Saka haven’t spoken to Arsenal teammate William Saliba ahead of the weekend.

England take on France in the World Cup quarter finals and Saliba is part of the French squad. He is expected to be on the bench, with the likes of Varane and Upemecano ahead of him. Of course, Saliba’s form with Arsenal got him into the squad in the first place.

Playing in front of Ramsdale, the England goalkeeper knows just how good Saliba is. Further, the pair are close teammates and like most of the Arsenal team, seem good friends.

However, Ramsdale has admitted that despite their friendship, there’s been no contact ahead of England v France.

“Nothing. I asked Bukayo this morning if he spoke to him and he said he hasn’t, so that stopped me from texting him anyway,” Ramsdale told TalkSPORT.

“But I see him speaking in a press conference about Jesus, saying he hasn’t spoken to him. But as I say, French team vs English – there’s no friends!”

Saliba, of course, won’t be too worried about that. He is hoping to be part of a France side who win two successive World Cups. England, meanwhile, know a win will give them their best chance of success in years.

TBR’s View: Ramsdale and Saka fully focussed

And that’s the way both players, as well as Saliba, will like it.

There’ll be time for a catch up after the game. That’s when pleasantries and good luck messages can be given to each other. But right now, it’s a case of getting down to business.

England and France will be desperate to win. Of the three, Saka is likely to play from the off and he’ll have the biggest chance of influencing the game’s outcome. Saliba and Ramsdale, meanwhile, are likely to take up a watching brief.