Can Nathan Saliba Replace Ismaël Koné as Canada Faces Switzerland

Ismaël Koné was more than a vibes guy and locker room DJ; he had been Canada’s most important player and was enjoying a breakout tournament that seemed to promise big things. His absence leaves Jesse Marsch with little room for error as he seeks a replacement. In training this week, Marsch and captain Alphonso Davies, who has yet to play in the tournament, took Nathan Saliba, Jonathan Osorio, Mathieu Choiniére and Niko Sigur aside, apparently discussing the potential of starting on Wednesday.

Saliba, after scoring a free-kick against Qatar, is the favorite to start, though questions remain about his ability to maintain focus in such a high-pressure environment. Koné’s standout skills — dribbling in tight spaces, driving into space and vision to break defensive lines — are not easy to replicate.

For dribbling, Saliba is the closest comparable, but he completed just 1.15 progressive runs per 90, trailing both Choiniére and Sigur in that category.

Canada

nathan saliba, ismaël koné, canada, switzerland, jesse marsch, alphonso davies, jonathan osorio, mathieu choiniére, niko sigur, progressive runs