Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has praised Arsenal’s William Saliba, suggesting he would be an excellent addition to the Spanish club. In an interview with InsideScoopHQ, shared by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Rudiger highlighted the need for squad rotation at Real Madrid due to their demanding schedule, which includes numerous fixtures.

When asked which defender he would like to see join the 15-time Champions League winners, Rudiger said, “I say William Saliba. I am very happy with Militao! But there are so many games, so we would rotate. Having Saliba would be great.” He emphasized that both Saliba and his defensive partner Gabriel are key to Arsenal’s success, calling them the "pillar of transformation" for the team.

Describing Saliba as a “silent leader,” Rudiger remarked, “If you see Arsenal, the two centre backs are the pillar of the transformation. You have Gabriel as the aggressive leader, and Saliba… this brother plays clean! You have to give it to him; he looks like a silent leader.”

Rudiger, known for his versatility and aggressive tackling style, was recently named among the top 30 nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, alongside Saliba. When asked about the best player he has ever shared a dressing room with, he named 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema. “Karim Benzema! I could mention Modric, Kroos, or Hazard, but I have to go with Karim.”

As for his top three centre-backs in world football, Rudiger included Saliba, Van Dijk, and Gabriel, saying, “I won’t rank them, but those are my picks.”