Bukayo Saka has come to accept that defenders are determined to “smash” him during matches, something he has come to terms with after discussions with several opponents and teammates who have physically challenged him on the pitch.
As one of the most fouled players in the Premier League, Saka is in good company alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Jordan Ayew, according to January statistics from Planet Football. However, instead of becoming frustrated, which he acknowledges could disrupt his concentration, Saka has decided to view this aggression as a form of flattery.
Speaking to beIN SPORTS, Saka explained his outlook on the situation. He said, “When I step onto the pitch, I’m there to have fun and enjoy myself. Over the last few seasons, as I’ve started to receive more tackles and defenders have shown a greater tendency to target me, I’ve had conversations with a few of them and now I get it.”
Saka’s mindset has shifted to where he sees it as a compliment when defenders attempt to rough him up. He shared, “When I see a defender trying to smash me, as long as he doesn’t succeed, I’m laughing or smiling because I see it as recognition of my threat.
A defender wouldn’t feel the need to go hard on me if he didn’t see me as dangerous. So, if I can evade it, I just laugh and move on with the game, understanding that it’s part of football.”
He further elaborated that everyone is simply trying to do their best for their team, whether that means defending or attacking, and that he tries to keep his temper in check because he knows that losing his cool negatively impacts his performance. He joked about not wanting to give away too much to his opponents.
When asked about who he’s had these conversations with, Saka declined to name names, preferring to keep those discussions private. He mentioned, “I’ve talked to a few opponents, and even some teammates, asking them why they’re so aggressive on the pitch. Once they explained, it became easier for me to accept and move on, as long as no one tackles me in a way that could cause injury.”
Saka doesn’t want to complain about the physicality because he believes it could make things worse. Instead, he has embraced his role as a target, which seems to fuel his incredible form. He has scored eight goals in his last seven Premier League matches, bringing his season total to 16 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. Being a marked man appears to suit him just fine.
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