Ferdinand changes his mind on Van Dijk with best Premier League defender claim

08 February 2023 , 18:09

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Rio Ferdinand has previously dubbed Virgil van Dijk as the Premier League's best central defender (Image: Rio Ferdinand presents FIVE)

It's safe to say that Rio Ferdinand knows a thing or two about what it takes to thrive as a central defender in the Premier League.

The former Manchester United and England star is widely acknowledged as one of the finest defenders of his generation after clocking up just shy of 700 senior top-flight appearances during an illustrious career that also saw him win no less than six Premier League titles.

Since hanging up his boots, Ferdinand has continued to keep a close eye on English football after moving into punditry and hasn't shied away from sharing some strong opinions - particularly when it comes to defending.

Speaking back in February 2020, Ferdinand named Liverpool colossus Virgil van Dijk as the Premier League's top centre-back, claiming that the Dutchman was "undoubtedly" the best defender in the world.

At the time, Liverpool were flying high. Van Dijk has been integral to the Reds' sustained success in recent years, but the 31-year-old and his side have both struggled this term. Liverpool and Van Dijk are already out of the title race - and Ferdinand now believes that somebody else in the Premier League, rather than Van Dijk, can currently lay claim to being the top-flight's best central defender.

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Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has been in fine form over the past few months and has silenced plenty of doubters who claimed that the 5ft 9in Argentina international would not be able to compete physically in the Premier League.

But Martinez has emphatically quashed those concerns and played an influential role in Manchester United's rise up the league since joining the club from Ajax.

Join the debate! Who do you think is the best centre-back in the Premier League? Let us know here.

Ferdinand believes that Lisandro Martinez is the best centre-back in the Premier League on current form

Ferdinand had also expressed doubts over Martinez, but he admits he has been won over by the defender - who he claims is the best centre-back in the league on current form.

Ferdinand explained on FIVE when asked if the Argentine was the best central defender in the league: "On form right now, I don't think there's really much argument coming from anywhere else. I think he's dominant, he's aggressive, he's a leader, he communicates well, he shows character, he's there in big moments.

"But I was one of the ones questioning, 'Is he physically gonna be able to compete here if teams isolate him, if teams isolate him?'. And that's where Erik ten Hag has been confident in tactically being able to keep teams away from being able to dominate enough possession to isolate someone like Martinez."

The former Old Trafford favourite added: "And, up till now, he hasn't been exposed in that sense. On a regular basis, week after week, are we not sitting there going, 'That's a recurring problem, there. It continues to happen, someone's pulling out on him and jumping over him or bullying him physically'. We haven't seen that, that hasn't become the narrative, and you have to say well done to him but also well done to the recruitment up to now."

Dan Marsh