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Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has hit out at a fake quote circulating on social media about a debate between Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer. Instead, he took to social media platform X to share his actual opinion on the Saka vs. Palmer debate.
Both Saka and Palmer have had impressive starts to the season. Saka, whose Arsenal side remain unbeaten this season, leads the Premier League in assists with seven. He has also scored two goals.
Palmer, on the other hand, has already scored six goals and provided five assists in just seven games. Notably, he also scored four goals in the first half against Brighton & Hove Albion, consequently becoming the first player in the Premier League to do so.
A quote attributed to Fabregas claimed he believes Saka to be the better player, citing that the latter starts only for Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United among the traditional top six teams.
“I assure you that Palmer cannot get a starting spot at any EPL top 6 except maybe Manchester United and Tottenham. Saka walks in every team on the universe. For me this debate is irrelevant,” the tweet read.
However, the current Como manager dismissed the quotes as fake. He also suggested that there’s no need to compare the two players and encouraged fans to simply appreciate their talents on the pitch.
"The danger of social media is people really believe anything they read. No need to compare players, England are lucky to have 2 amazing talents, just enjoy them! #fake," he posted on X.
Both players have certainly played in different positions for their clubs this season. Saka has often stayed wide on the touchline, serving as a crucial creative outlet for Arsenal in Martin Odegaard’s absence. Palmer has been used in an attacking midfield role under Enzo Maresca and has thrived this season.
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder claims Chelsea’s Cole Palmer is on ‘another level’ compared to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka
While Fabregas has expressed his delight in watching both players, former Spurs player Jamie O’Hara shared his opinion that Palmer is the better player.
In an interview with Grosvenor Sports, O’Hara suggested that both Palmer and Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal are on a higher level than Saka. He also stated that the Arsenal man isn’t a world-class player.
"Bukayo Saka isn’t world-class. He’s a great player in a very good team, but I look at guys like Cole Palmer and Lamine Yamal, who in my opinion are world-class players. They are a level about Saka - it’s as simple as that. I might be getting carried away there, but Palmer looks like he can do anything on a football pitch, nothing fazes him at all. As I said, Saka is a great player, but Palmer is on another level,” he said (via Football London)
Both Palmer and Saka will undoubtedly play pivotal roles in the future of English football, for both club and country. However, comparisons between the two will likely persist, given their consistent performances at the highest level and their impressive numbers in the Premier League.
