Posted on Monday, 1st October 2012 by Chudi
Following Saturday’s game against Tottenham, Alan Hansen has voiced his concerns about Rio Ferdinand, a man he claims was undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world and is the best defender in the history of the Premier League.
Ferdinand was caught cold for 2 of Spurs’ goals on Saturday, beaten for pace by Gareth Bale for the second and then allowing Jermain Defoe to cut in after trying to force him wide for the 3rd.
Whilst he still believes Ferdinand is a very good player, Hansen feels almost aged 34 and with a history of injuries, the defender has seen his best days and may become a liabilty to United as the season progresses.
Speaking in his column in The Telegraph, the former Liverpool defender said:
“In my opinion, Ferdinand has been the best defender in the history of the Premier League and, while his loss of pace means he is no longer a great player, he is still a very good one.
“Rio Ferdinand, with his 34th birthday approaching next month, is hardly the future and that reality was brutally exposed against Tottenham.
“Rio was once blessed with pace and, when he was at his best, was undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world. But the injuries that have stalked him in recent seasons, particularly his back problem, have led to the situation where he now finds himself in real trouble if he progresses beyond the 18-yard line.
“If he was able to play every game defending the edge of the 18-yard box, as Chelsea did against Barcelona in the Nou Camp last season, Rio would be able to get the cigars out and play in cruise control.
“But he has to play a higher line for United because they are an attacking side and that means he is vulnerable whenever he comes up against somebody with pace.”
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Tags: Rio Ferdinand
Posted in Blogs, News | Comments (15)
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October 1st, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Get a grip, no he’s not. Even your own Vidic is far better. Ledley King,John Terry and Sol Campbell were far far better. Ferdinand is merely a product of selfappreciation ala Beckham. Lately he has totally soiled any credance he had with his silly nouveau twitter comments. He will be remembered as a look at me while I jump on scorers back bad influence. He could have gained respect by guiding his little brother over the Terry affair. Instead he prolonged it purely for personal reasons. Hes old,flat and slow. He never has been much better. Crap article about an overblown egoistic modern day footballer.
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Chudi Reply:
October 1st, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Heh Alfie, did Rio sleep with your missus or something? Relax buddy you’ll live longer
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October 1st, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Bit of advice Alfie, stay off the booze mate! If you think that any of the players you mention have been better than Rio you need your head examined.
Loved your quote about ‘overblown, egotistic modern day footballer’. Surely this can only apply to your beloved John Terry!! He’s a racist knuckle scraping yob!
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October 1st, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Are you mad Ledley king was better than him with one knee the only reason he got all his England caps was because of injuries to Ledley and Woodgate he was good but not only by default the two players above where better and also people like Lucas redabe ate up there I could go on but Ledley us true class
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October 1st, 2012 at 5:19 pm
I’m a tottenham fan and hate to admit it but Ferdinand was/is not good enough to lace up the boots of Arsenal’s old guard. Ferdinand’s good but not great and we won’t be talking about him in 10 years time like we still do with Adams/Keown/Bould/Dixon/Winterburn
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October 1st, 2012 at 5:47 pm
To Steve above how can you talk about arsenals back four as a spurs fan Ledley was better than all of them it’s such a shame he played in many average spurs sides
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October 1st, 2012 at 5:54 pm
ledleyy kng was the bestt..even with just one knee
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October 1st, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Yes old ferdie,self appointed senior statesman of English football,except the fella doesn’t advise that well does he?? He should have told his kid brother to concentrate on his ‘football’ instead of trying to make his name off the pitch.Mind you Anton is a joke of a footballer,maybe that isn’t possible.
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October 1st, 2012 at 7:28 pm
lol. Love the knob jockeys who think its the Ferdinands fault that a sumbag like Terry can racially abuse on the pitch and then act the slime ball after the fact.
PS. Ledley King was a broken down goat of a player. A player with the emptiest trophy cabinet in football.
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Islington Spur! Reply:
October 1st, 2012 at 10:30 pm
Are you racist?? I think you are,you tell me what the word means,if you like using it so much:)
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October 1st, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Ledley King????? Jesus give me a break. Paul McGrath has no knees and was twice the player that King was!!!!
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October 1st, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Ferdy has ALWAYS been over-rated. He is good, thats true, but one of the best in the world? No far from it. King was better (baring his injury). I don’t even like Terry but he is better to! Even Garry Mabbutt was better!
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October 1st, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Gary Mabbutt lol!! Mabbutt was an average player at best. Wouldn’t get near a Premier league team nowadays!
You would think that with all these ‘world class players’ Spurs would have actually won something instead of being the laughing stock they are!!!
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October 1st, 2012 at 8:56 pm
To racist fools and joe or you two to think that of Ledley you obviously know nothing o about football other than what you see on match of the day I must admit McGrath was top drawer but to sy twice the player is very harsh Ledley is as good as any centre half since bobby Moore and people who know football will tell you that Ferdinand and terry have always played in good teams Ledley hasn’t and for most of his career has HDTV to save spurs on his own
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October 1st, 2012 at 9:23 pm
How could king be the best defender in the premier leagues history?? The guy was made of balsa wood!! Talented player i agree but how can he compare with defenders that have played week in week out at the highest level ie Champions league and the business end of every season.
John, ive no problem with people having an opinion but choosing King is a surprising one. Had he been injury free then who knows but the truth is playing half the games his peers did throughout his career surely must count against him.
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