Interview

Saliba: Now is the time to stick together

William Saliba has urged his teammates to stick together as we head into a huge week with big games at home and in Europe.

Our 1-0 loss to Newcastle United saw us fall to a second straight away defeat in the league, but our French defender belives now is the time to pull together and move forward as one as we seek to get back to winning ways.

He was part of a backline that put in a solid effort against the Magpies who scored with their one big chance of the match, and so he feels now is now to the time to feel sorry for ourselves with massive matches against Inter Milan and Chelsea on the horizon.

Speaking post-match, he said: “We are a bit sad because we wanted to win here today,” he said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t because I don’t think we played our best game. But we have to stick together and be ready for next week.

“Maybe we deserved a point but I do not think we deserved to win today. They had one chance and they scored. We were on top trying to equalise but I think we have to do better. The game is finished and we have to be focused on what’s coming. 

“When you lose, there’s not a lot of positive things but it’s OK, we don’t have to be so sad.”

Wednesday sees us head to the San Siro for a huge Champions League meeting with Inter, as we look to maintain our strong start in the competition.

It’s a fixture that will be a huge occasion in an iconic setting, and Willo can’t wait for it, which he hopes will be a springboard for another positive display when we face Chelsea in a London derby next Sunday.

“Next week we have two big games to come back with the win,” he added. “I think we will do it if we give everything.

“[Inter is] a big game, if we win we have the confidence back and we have to do it. We all want to play big games like these.”