What makes a great player?
Is it pure material output, or is it the immaterial traits that help take a team to the next level?
Fortunately for Arsenal and Manchester City, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden have both of those components in their game.
The pair have progressed from young talents to genuine stars and are both key players for their respective clubs.
However, their similar age, position and trajectory mean they are regularly compared.
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Bukayo Saka: Arsenal's starboy
Saka is a Gunner through and through.
He joined Arsenal's Hale End academy as a seven-year-old and debuted for the club in the Europa League group stage in 2018.
Now, at just 22 years old, Saka has made over 150 appearances for the club and racked up more than 100 goal contributions across all competitions.
While he has improved each season, he has taken a notable jump this campaign, having already scored 16 goals and bagged 15 assists.
This puts him a step above the rest of his teammates in terms of output – Leandro Trossard is next with 10 goals, while Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard have seven assists.
Arsenal fans have dubbed him the club's 'starboy', and for good reason.
While he was initially deployed as a wing-back, Saka has made the right wing position his own.
He has now established himself as not only one of the Premier League's top wingers, but one of the best in the world.
Saka's speed, skill and intelligence make him a nightmare for defenders, while his personality and work ethic see him loved by teammates and fans alike.
Phil Foden: Manchester's own
A summation of Foden's importance to City could be seen in the recent Manchester Derby.
Down 1-0 to their rivals Manchester United, the 23-year-old stepped up big-time, bagging a brace and guiding his boyhood club to a thrilling win.
His opening goal, in particular, showcased his sheer talent.
City manager Pep Guardiola has labelled Foden "the most, most talented player I have seen in my career as a manager" – a serious complement from a top coach.
Foden, like Saka, is an academy product. He joined City, the club he supported as child, at the age of four.
His debut came in 2017 in a Champions League group stage match, becoming the fourth-youngest English player to make an appearance in the competition.
He has now gone on to make 257 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions, scoring 78 goals and picking up 51 assists.
This season in particular, he has stepped up amid Kevin de Bruyne's absence through injury.
While he isn't a direct replacement for KDB, Foden has been deployed on the wing, as a No. 10, and as a false 9.
His ability to create chances on the turn and burst through defensive lines makes him a constant threat.
At a club which is often criticised for a lack of history and 'plastic' fanbase, a lad from Stockport is exactly who they need as a young star.
Saka vs. Foden: 2023/24 stats and comparison
All data via transfermarkt.co.uk. Reflective of 2023/24 season, as of March 6, 2024.
Premier League
| Stat | Saka | Foden |
| Apps. | 26 | 27 |
| Goals | 13 | 11 |
| Assists | 10 | 7 |
| Mins. per goal | 168 | 202 |
| Yellow/red cards | 3/0 | 1/0 |
Champions League
| Stat | Saka | Foden |
| Apps. | 6 | 6 |
| Goals | 3 | 4 |
| Assists | 4 | 3 |
| Mins. per goal | 142 | 119 |
| Yellow/red cards | 0/0 | 0/0 |
All competitions
| Stat | Saka | Foden |
| Apps. | 35 | 40 |
| Goals | 16 | 18 |
| Assists | 15 | 10 |
| Mins. per goal | 176 | 175 |
| Yellow/red cards | 3/0 | 1/0 |
Saka vs. Foden: Who starts for England at the Euros?
Looking at the key stats alone, you can hardly separate the pair.
Foden as a No. 10 and Saka on the right wing sounds like an ideal solution, but Jude Bellingham's stunning form at Real Madrid will almost certainly see him take the starting spot in the middle of the park.
Alternatively, Foden's versatility could see him start on the left wing, despite it being Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford's preferred position.
It is hard to see Saka playing anywhere apart from right wing, so could Foden's flexibility be the reason he doesn't make the starting XI, and is instead utilised as a versatile substitute?
What can't be overlooked, however, is Foden's history of picking up silverware with City.
Multiple Premier League titles, a pair of FA Cups, a Champions League triumph ... he knows how to win, and has experience in a world-class system.
Saka, meanwhile, just keeps getting better, and is developing into a goal contribution machine at Arsenal.
Is he the best choice for England as an out-and-out right winger?
Ultimately, there's no right answer in this selection debate.
It's a very nice problem for Gareth Southgate to have, though.
