An AS Saint-Étienne youth academy graduate, has spent the last three seasons back on loan on France - with ASSE, OGC Nice and now Marseille - after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told him he was "not ready" for the Gunners' first-team.

Now a central defensive cornerstone for second-placed OM, Saliba is in the 99th percentile league-wide for passes attempted and the 97th for passes completed, as well as progressive carries. Little wonder he has made the France squad...

Back story:

Born in Bondy, a commune in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris, in 2001, Saliba shares a hometown with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé. Indeed, Mbappé's father Wilfried was Saliba's coach at local side AS Bondy before the young defender made his way into the fabled Saint-Étienne youth set-up at the age of 15.

His progress though les Verts' ranks was swift, and after making a Ligue 1 Uber Eats debut at 17 and finishing as a runner up in the Coupe de France a season later, Arsenal made their move, signing him to a long-term contract in the summer of 2019 before loaning him straight back to Sainté.

Although he was given Arsenal's number 4 jersey in that off-season - previously worn by Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fabregas among others - he was allowed to leave again, first for Nice and then for Marseille, who secured his signature at the start of the season.

Twenty-eight starts, 10 clean sheets and the best distributive statistics in the league later, and Saliba is set to earn his first senior France caps when les Bleus take on Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa in March's friendly internationals. 

Style of play:

Although he stands at an imposing 1m92-tall, Saliba is swift, svelte, and composed. His pace and reading of the game allow him to intercept opposition attacks without having to go to ground very often at all, and he is also able to carry the ball out from the back and keep possession under pressure. In terms of style it's not too dissimilar to watching long-time PSG captain Thiago Silva, now of Chelsea, or his now international teammate, Varane.

Current campaign:

Saliba had only really played in back fours with Saint-Étienne and Nice, previously, so Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli's predilection for a 3-4-3 might have taken some getting used to, but Saliba has looked assured from the start, playing on the right of a back three with Duje Caleta-Car and Luan Peres invariably for company.

The results have been impressive, with PSG, Stade Rennais FC, LOSC and AS Monaco among those shut out so far this term, with Saliba himself saying the goalless draw against PSG at the Orange Vélodrome in October was "the best game of my career".

Watch: Highlights of Marseille's goalless draw with PSG

What they said:

"Wilfried Mbappé taught me everything and if I'm here today, it's thanks to him. Since his dad was my coach, I often went to Kylian's home. When you see where Kylian is today, it makes you want to achieve the same heights."

- Saliba on his formative years.

"W've been following him for a while with the U21s. He knows the system of play. He has a good heading game and exudes a lot of serenity and calm."

- Deschamps on Saliba's France call-up.