Rio the best Defender in EPL

[Shevchenko27]

Rio Ferdinand is the best defender currently in the EPL. While perhaps he has not played at this level for long enough, i feel it is safe to say in the last month or two he has showed a form that far surpasses anyone else in the EPL. Certainly JT is an incredible defender, and given Rio's penchant for problematic spells and dips in form, he may show himself to be the best defender of the year. However i feel that if Rio continues to perform on this level for the remainder of the season, he will not only have justified his enormous price tag, but have outplayed any defender in England.

Since his return to form, Rio has scored more goals than many midfielders, and some strikers, all while providing a solid, creative and entertaining defensive style that neutralizes attacking threats in addition to controling play in the back.

[yossarian]

Rio Ferdinand is the best defender currently in the EPL. While perhaps he has not played at this level for long enough, i feel it is safe to say in the last month or two he has showed a form that far surpasses anyone else in the EPL. Certainly JT is an incredible defender, and given Rio's penchant for problematic spells and dips in form, he may show himself to be the best defender of the year. However i feel that if Rio continues to perform on this level for the remainder of the season, he will not only have justified his enormous price tag, but have outplayed any defender in England.

Since his return to form, Rio has scored more goals than many midfielders, and some strikers, all while providing a solid, creative and entertaining defensive style that neutralizes attacking threats in addition to controling play in the back.

The penchant for problematic spells and dips in form is exactly the reason why most people would probably prefer John Terry over Ferdinand.

As far as raw talent is concerned, Ferdinand probably wins.....I'll take Terry's consistency.

[ForeverRed]

Jamie Carragher- best defender in the world.

BTW, credit to Ferdinand's resurgence, he had an aweful first half of the season.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

In terms of talent Ferdinand has always been the best. After a poor spell he is finally beginning to prove that again.

[nicephoras]

Jamie Carragher- best defender in the world.

The same Carragher that's 5th choice for England? I don't think so.
John Terry is the best defender in the EPL, although Rio is more talented. Of course, I'd rather have Gallas before Rio. Gallas is more versatile and isn't prone to having horrible games. Rio simply isn't at his peak often enough.

[michaec]

Rio Ferdinand is the best defender currently in the EPL. While perhaps he has not played at this level for long enough, i feel it is safe to say in the last month or two he has showed a form that far surpasses anyone else in the EPL. Certainly JT is an incredible defender, and given Rio's penchant for problematic spells and dips in form, he may show himself to be the best defender of the year. However i feel that if Rio continues to perform on this level for the remainder of the season, he will not only have justified his enormous price tag, but have outplayed any defender in England.

Since his return to form, Rio has scored more goals than many midfielders, and some strikers, all while providing a solid, creative and entertaining defensive style that neutralizes attacking threats in addition to controling play in the back.Utter, utter rubbish. John Terry is the best defender in England by a long way. I'd also go along with nice and say I'd rather have Gallas over Ferdinand too. Ferdinand's lapses in concentration often negate his undoubted talent. And I think that your notice of his upswing in form has of late has a lot to do with a solid Wes Brown playing alongside him at the heart of the United defence rather than Silvestre. I'm not Brown's biggest fan, but he's played well whenever I've seen him lately.

On top of Terry and Gallas, I'd say Jamie Carragher, Ricardo Carvalho and Ledley King (ooh, that hurts!) have at least been as good as Ferdinand this season.

[sendorange]

Gallas is overrated.

Put him in central defence with Silvestre and with Darren Fletcher in midfield. He'd leak goals like a sieve.

[billyireland]

And I think that your notice of his upswing in form has of late has a lot to do with a solid Wes Brown playing alongside him at the heart of the United defence rather than Silvestre. I'm not Brown's biggest fan, but he's played well whenever I've seen him lately.Guwha!? A non-Man United fan recognising Brown's solid play in the last while? Surely this cannot be; something is very, very wrong.

[michaec]

Gallas is overrated.

Put him in central defence with Silvestre and with Darren Fletcher in midfield. He'd leak goals like a sieve.Those goals will very unlikely be as a result of him completely switching off though. You can't legislate for idiots around you making balls-ups, you can only make sure you don't do it yourself.

Guwha!? A non-Man United fan recognising Brown's solid play in the last while? Surely this cannot be; something is very, very wrong.Credit where it's due.

[yossarian]

Guwha!? A non-Man United fan recognising Brown's solid play in the last while? Surely this cannot be; something is very, very wrong.

IIRC, Billy, there were more than a few Arsenal supporters who said they wouldn't mind signing Brown a few years ago when it looked like he was going to be off and we were looking for another CB.

[nicephoras]

Gallas is overrated.

Put him in central defence with Silvestre and with Darren Fletcher in midfield. He'd leak goals like a sieve.

Yeah, like he does for France, right? There's a reason why Gallas - Terry is the best CB partnership in the world while Terry - Carvalho leak goals.

[Crest_of_the_stars]

The penchant for problematic spells and dips in form is exactly the reason why most people would probably prefer John Terry over Ferdinand.

As far as raw talent is concerned, Ferdinand probably wins.....I'll take Terry's consistency.

I must agree completely.

Rio on his day is sheer class, he makes it look just easy. But when it comes to week in week out rock solid defending Terry is the best.

Mind you, Terry so far has never looked comfortable in the England shirt for some reason. I think he'll have a good WC though.



ps. Gallas is a quality defender. But anyone who thinks he's better than Rio is clueless.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Terry looks great because he has Gallas sweeping up with his pace and Makelele adding an extra layer of protection from midfield. When he doesn't have that for England his defensive mistakes are highlighted. Great player, but helped by his team mates and Chelsea's style of football. Carragher on the other hand just has a brain fart when he pulls on an England top. Sven will be an idiot if he doesn't play with a Ferdinand/Brown partnership for the WC.

[Mr. Bee]

I can't believe that we've gotten this far without somebody pointing out that, in fact, Zatyiah Knight is the best defender in the EPL.

[nicephoras]

Sven will be an idiot if he doesn't play with a Ferdinand/Brown partnership for the WC.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

Rio and Wes "own goal" Brown? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Oh man, thanks I needed a good laugh. Wes ********ing Brown. Awesome.

[nicephoras]

Terry looks great because he has Gallas sweeping up with his pace and Makelele adding an extra layer of protection from midfield.

Yeah.............he plays with a nother CB and a midfielder in front of him. Like...............all defenders.

When he doesn't have that for England his defensive mistakes are highlighted.

What mistakes has he made for England other than the Postiga goal? A game for which he wasn't even fully fit.

Great player, but helped by his team mates and Chelsea's style of football.

Helped by Chelsea's style of football? What would that be? He looks better because he's winning a lot? Or is Chelsea's style of football "mistake free"?

[Toon³]

Sven will be an idiot if he doesn't play with a Ferdinand/Brown partnership for the WC.

Maybe call up Titus Bramble for cover?

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Don't be stupid nice and be very aware that I won't go down your route of breaking every post down into hundreds of parts, for the sole reason of deflecting attention away from the real issue. Everyone knows how Chelsea play and everyone knows the protection Terry enjoys as part of that. So don't even try to argue about that. As for my suggestion regarding English centre backs for the World Cup, considering all of the other options have either been very poor for England or not currently in form, I fail to see what is so ludicrous about the suggestion. Out of all the options, they work well together and are currently proving that, which is key.

[The Potter]

John Terry is the best defender in the EPL, although Rio is more talented. Of course, I'd rather have Gallas before Rio. Gallas is more versatile and isn't prone to having horrible games. Rio simply isn't at his peak often enough.



That's probably fair. I do love to watch Rio though he'll intercept a perfectly good ball without breaking his stride, glide past two players make the extra man in midfield and lay-off a quality counter attacking pass. As Arry used to say he's a Rolls-Royce of a player.

[nicephoras]

Don't be stupid nice and be very aware that I won't go down your route of breaking every post down into hundreds of parts, for the sole reason of deflecting attention away from the real issue.

In other words, you're so wrong you can't even cover it up.

Everyone knows how Chelsea play and everyone knows the protection Terry enjoys as part of that.

What, that Chelse have a DM? So does everyone! Chelsea have scored the most goals in the EPL this season. They play.........offensively.

So don't even try to argue about that. As for my suggestion regarding English centre backs for the World Cup, considering all of the other options have either been very poor for England or not currently in form, I fail to see what is so ludicrous about the suggestion.

The fact that Wes Brown should no more start for England than Zat Knight. You're completely wrong about other players being off form. Two weeks ago Rio was off form. Terry has never been "very poor" for England and he's in good form. That statement is rubbish in its entirety. Its unbelievable how blind of a homer you are for ManUtd.

Out of all the options, they work well together and are currently proving that, which is key.

Because Brown has had decent form for a month against crappy clubs? Wow, why not just annoint him the next Baresi now. :rolleyes: Terry is vastly better, more talented and far more suited to play for England. That you're a ManUtd fan doesn't change that.