Rio Ferdinand has taken his pick on which player is the better free-kick taker: James Ward-Prowse or Juninho Pernambucano.
Currently, Ward-Prowse sits only behind Manchester United legend David Beckham as the player with the most number of goals from direct free-kicks.
However, Juninho is widely considered as perhaps the finest free-kick taker the game has ever seen. While many would consider this as a wild comparison, Rio Ferdinand has given his two cents on the free-kick debate between James Ward-Prowse and Juninho Pernambucano.
Rio Ferdinand picks between James Ward-Prowse and Juninho as the better free-kick taker
The Southampton midfielder has topped the charts for the most distance covered in the Premier League this season, which goes to show that he is so much more than just being an elite set-piece taker.
However, James Ward-Prowse is indeed at his dangerous best when stepping up for a free-kick, as was the case with Juninho Pernambucano as Rio Ferdinand picked the superior taker on the FIVE YouTube channel.
“It’s that one [Juninho Pernambucano]. Just the shape he used to put on the ball, the way the ball used to move. The reaction of the players either in the wall or the ‘keeper used to be like [makes confused expression]. So, Juninho.”
Completely justified
Sure, the England international is one of the best in the world at this very trait, with many even considering him as the absolute finest.
But Rio Ferdinand is right in favouring Juninho Pernambucano whose technique and execution when it came to a wide variety of free-kick situations remains second to none, without discrediting James Ward-Prowse.
The fact that the 27-year-old is even in the conversation with the former Brazilian wizard, who may well be the ultimate master of the craft is testament to just how special of a free-kick taker he is and has been for a number of years.
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