Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has snubbed Arsenal’s William Saliba and picked Manchester City’s John Stones as the Premier League’s best centre-back.
Saliba played a pivotal role in shutting down Manchester City’s attack last Sunday as the Gunners finally tasted victory against their Premier League title rivals, thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s late deflected goal.
However, Ferdinand believes Stones is more composed than Saliba.
“I have to say I watched the game and Saliba, it’s these games where you see if the boys have got the temperament and that counts for a lot in these big games,” Ferdinand told Vibe with Five.
“I said ‘watch this’! The ball gets played and he’s on the halfway line with Haaland. He’s giving all centre-backs sleepless nights based on what he did last season. Saliba, the last person he saw before he went to sleep, would not have been his missus, it would’ve been Haaland’s face.
“Halfway line, someone plays the ball beyond the back four. As it’s being played he and Haaland are shoulder to shoulder, and he just bounces him, Haaland goes over.
“Those little details, don’t put me in foot race, don’t need to, I could, but I don’t need to. He’s got little dark arts he’s introduced to his game. He seems cute around the box as well, he is calm under pressure, he’s happy to have the responsibility of hoofing the ball out at times.
“Him and Gabriel’s partnership is really blossoming. I don’t think he does what he does without a good partner so you have to give Gabriel his flowers as well. He is the A-side in that partnership.”
He added, “John Stones is the best centre-half in the Premier League at the moment. ‘Defensively he was going back into the back four.
“John Stones, no other centre-half in the Premier League did what John Stones did last season. He could be in the argument, he’s such a different player, he’s brought more to the position because he’s being asked to. John Stones right now he looks so composed with the authority he plays with.”
