RIO FERDINAND has revealed who he thinks is the best defender in the Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk has been regarded as the standout player in his position in recent years.
But the ex-Manchester United star doesn’t think the Dutchman is top of the pile anymore.
Instead, Ferdinand reckons that Lisandro Martinez is No.1 based on form.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed an exceptional first season in English football, helping United to third in the Premier League and reach the Carabao Cup final.
This comes despite Martinez, who’s made 31 appearances in all comps, being almost written off just two games into his United career.
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The World Cup winner was criticised for his height, which stands at 5ft 7, following United’s 4-0 defeat at Brentford back in August.
But he’s bounced back emphatically and has since proven himself as one of the most feared defenders in the league.
And he’s made Ferdinand eat his words.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, he said: “On form right now, I don’t think there’s really much argument coming from anywhere else.
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“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.
“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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
