It seems to me that these days Rio Ferdinand doesn't get the credit he deserves. Through perusing several articles detailing his decline, his apparent lack of mention for all star teams, whilst Vidic is selected, and plenty more, it appears people don't rate Rio the way they should.
It is an inescapable fact that he isn't the player he once was and has definitely been in decline for 2 seasons. However, it seems people have let this tarnish their memory of the younger Rio, the defender who played with the poise and technique of a CM, the defender who rarely got cards, the defender who hardly needed to make a challenge because he read the game so intelligently that he never needed to make last ditch challenges.
There is no doubt that currently Vidic is better, and comfortably so, but anyone who watched Rio's growth from teenager to multiple PL and CL winner will know just how good he was. On top form, back in his day, he was superior to Vidic, and by some distance. In fact over the past decade, I think the only defender who came close to him was Nesta.
Rio Ferdinand
posted on 14/10/11
Patriarch- you hit the nail on the head. Rio truly was incredible. He is still a top defender, but not unfortunately what he once was. Also, someone commented that Rio is declining faster than Terry? Perhaps because Rio is 2 years older....
posted on 14/10/11
I concur.
Ferdinand at his best > Vidic.
Rio isn't just a defender who is also relatively classy on the ball. He's also classy as a defender, able to snuff out danger before the last-ditch tackle is required, with great positioning, great athleticism and pace (now declining).
I remember about the year 2000 or 2001 some striker quoted as saying that he found (the young, pre-United) Rio and Keown were the toughest defenders to play against, remarking that with Keown you left the pitch covered with bruises but with Rio you barely felt he was there but similarly didn't get a sniff of a chance.
Vidic is also a superb defender, and a better aerial competitor, but I'd rate Rio higher for his ability on the ball and the pace that made it hard for him to get turned in one-on-one situations.
posted on 14/10/11
For that price tag at the time he had to be something pretty special, and for me he's justified it, which I doubt anyone thought he would do.
posted on 14/10/11
Ferdinand didn't seem right mentally at times during his career and sadly his body started to let him down not too long after he decided to totally devote himself to the game.
For the couple of years where everything clicked he was one of the best CB's i've ever seen.
He made world class strikers look like amateurs and i agree that he never got the credit he deserved.
At his peak he was twice the defender vidic will ever be and the latter is a very good centre back!
posted on 14/10/11
"Ferdinand didn't seem right mentally at times during his career"
When FFS??
posted on 14/10/11
"I'm going to call you Pelé, son, I like the way you play." Youth coach Dave Goodwin spots an 11-year-old Ferdinand at the district trials.
posted on 14/10/11
The people that compare Terry and Carra to Rio make me laugh. Both have been too easily turned throughout their careers. That isnt to say they arent/werent top CBs - but not at the same level as Rio.
Even Vida doesnt come close to Rio at his peak. Mr Chelsea makes a good point in that Rio is different to the other 3 and so perhaps we shouldnt compare. He is right that you need a Terry/Vidic alongside your Rio/Carvalho. However, being a defender like Rio takes more than just being tough and committed and there are more CBS in the mould of Terry/Vidic than there are Rio. For me the Rio-like CBs are better and more valuable. You just dont get that many of them.
posted on 14/10/11
Very good article OP. You can go on and say Rio is underrated. When Rio is mentioned all we hear is he is good on the ball and can play the ball out of trouble...etc. His defensive ability rarely got the plaudits it deserve.
Maybe its because Rio doesn't go around injuring players and making last ditch tackles(he doesn't need to). Imo Rio is the best CB in PL of the last decade. His awareness and ability to read the game is second to none. Its no secret that Scholes is more appreciated in Spain than in England. In a same way I think Rio would have been appreciated in a country like Italy where general public is more educated about the art of defending.
posted on 14/10/11
Agreed Screen, Rio is undoubtedly the best CB in the PL over the last decade. It's funny how 99% of Chelsea fans out there would try and say John Terry is and was better. Which I find laughable.
posted on 14/10/11
When FFS??
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04-06.
He was excellent then suddenly he'd make a mistake or lose concentration, that was a strange period for Rio where he just looked distracted IMO.
He seemed to come back from the world cup with a different attitude.