‘I think he’s really good’: Bukayo Saka raves about £135m player who almost signed for Chelsea last summer

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Bukayo Saka admits to being a big admirer of Ousmane Dembele ahead of their pair’s World Cup meeting.

Speaking to the media in anticipation for England’s potentially epic quarter-final encounter with France, Saka spoke glowingly about the Barcelona forward.

Dembele and the Arsenal player might come face-to-face this weekend if they remain fit enough for selection.

Both have played prominent roles in their respective nation’s success so far in Qatar.

Saka has started all but one of England’s fixtures, scoring on three occasions as he eyes up the tournament’s Golden Boot.

Whilst not in the hunt for the top scorer title, Dembele has contributed plenty to Didier Deschamps side.

He has already provided two assists in four appearances and is looking like the attacker Barcelona paid £135m for back in 2017.

The 25-year-old has rarely justified such an astronomical fee since that move to the Nou Camp half a decade ago.

Injuries have hampered his stint in Spain, a spell that almost concluded in the summer.

Ousmane Dembele reminding Chelsea what they missed

Chelsea were said to be on the verge of signing Dembele, but he made a U-turn on his future and stuck with Barca for at least another season.

His decision to reject the advances of Todd Boehly turned out to be a wise one.

He has scored or assisted 12 goals in 20 games for the La Liga leaders, a return that ensured his seat on the plane to the World Cup.

Now, Deschamps is reaping the rewards of the revised player, and will hope he can punish England in a few days.

“They have so many quality players. If I have to name a few, I like Ousmane Dembele as well, I think he’s really good. We have to be ready for all of them in their own way,” revealed Saka when discussing the French threat.

Southgate’s men must not only be wary of Dembele, but Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud and Adrien Rabiot, all who are enjoying fine competitions.

Yet, the reigning world champions cannot take England’s quality for granted.

Jude Bellingham has arguably been the best performer so far at the global event, whilst Phil Foden, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Saka himself haven’t been far behind in terms of output.