The Premier League has been home to some of the best defenders to have graced the football pitch, but one Manchester United star has been called the greatest of all-time.
The claim comes close from home too.
United academy coach Tom Huddlestone has gone on to say former United defender Rio Ferdinand is the best defender the Premier League has seen.
Huddlestone played against some of the biggest names in the Premier League including John Terry, Virgil van Dijk, Sol Campbell and Vincent Kompany – but none of them get close to Ferdinand.
Ferdinand has an incredible career at Old Trafford after joining from Leeds in 2002 for just under £30 million. It was an expensive signing – world record fee for a defender at the time – but United will reflect on it as money well spent!
He enjoyed 12-trophy-laden years winning six Premier League titles, two League Cups as well as the Champions League in 2008 when he was arguably the best defender in Europe.
Ferdinand had an imperious partnership in defence with Nemanja Vidic, which deserves a mention because his Serbian partner hasn’t been getting the credit he deserves recently.
Speaking to Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent on talkSPORT Drive, Huddlestone said: “I’ve played with Rio in a couple of England squads. I thought that 2002 World Cup, I thought he was the best defender in the world.
“Cultured, good on the ball, if he wanted to play in midfield he probably could have from a young age. Yeah, Rio was class.
“With the younger players coming through the squad, I had a few chats with him myself and he was helpful, having been in a couple of squads with him.”
Goldstein asked if he was the best defender ever in the Premier League, Huddlestone replied: “He would be, in my opinion.
“I think there are three or four up there. John Terry, Jaap Stam, albeit he was only there three years but won the title every year, probably them three.
“Who else? Vincent Kompany? Campbell? Virgil van Dijk… but Ferdinand, Terry and Stam would be my main three.”
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