Arsenal fans might not appreciate Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand’s recent comments about William Saliba.
Rio Ferdinand has offered a surprising take on William Saliba’s status as the Premier League’s top defender, which may not sit well with Arsenal fans. Despite Saliba’s standout man-of-the-match performance in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on May 12, Ferdinand remains unconvinced by the hype surrounding the Frenchman’s reputation.
The 23-year-old centre-back has been crucial for Arsenal since his breakthrough last season, becoming a key defensive figure. However, Ferdinand expressed his doubts during an episode of Vibe with FIVE when co-host Joel Beya hailed Saliba as the top defender in English football. Ferdinand countered this assertion, saying: “I don’t think Saliba’s been the best Arsenal defender this season. To say he’s the best in the league is a stretch. [Virgil] van Dijk’s been back to somewhere near his best, by the way.”
Ferdinand acknowledged the strong partnership between Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, commending their synergy: “As a pair, Saliba and Gabriel have been flawless this year, the best pair out there by a mile.” However, he suggested Gabriel might have the edge over Saliba based on individual performances: “This year, as an individual, I think Gabriel’s probably been slightly above Saliba in the games that I’ve seen. Saliba is better on the eye—he’s a more composed defender—but Gabriel’s the more aggressive, combative defender who excels in 1v1 duels.”
Ferdinand also noted Gabriel’s improvement in avoiding mistakes and fouls this season. While acknowledging Saliba’s calmness and tremendous abilities, he pointed out that Saliba stumbled somewhat in the Champions League, highlighting the higher concentration levels required in those matches.
Overall, Ferdinand’s comments present a more nuanced view of Saliba’s performance, contrasting with the high praise from Arsenal fans and some pundits.