Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand has been chatting about players who are similar to himself in the modern game.
Ferdinand was one of the best centre-backs in the world in his prime, and while the game has changed since his retirement, the former Manchester United man has picked out two players he believes are similar to himself.
Ferdinand says that Raphael Varane and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk play similarly to how he did.
What’s Ferdinand said?
The pundit was asked which player is the most similar to himself in modern football.
“In today’s game I think, tip-top Varane would have been similar. He was graceful, he was quick, but you rarely look at Varane and go ‘did you see how quick he is.’ He’s got it there, but he doesn’t always need to use it. Van Dijk there are elements as well I would say, but yeah, it’s difficult to look at a player and say they’re like someone, the game has changed as well,” Ferdinand said.
Perfect comparison
Ferdinand has hit the nail on the head when comparing himself with Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman, just like Ferdinand is a physically dominant centre-half who is also brilliant on the ball.
There’s a debate to be had about which defender was better, but it has to be said that they do have similar styles.
Van Dijk is one of the best centre-halves in the world, and in his pomp, Ferdinand was also one of the premier defenders on the planet.
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