I’ve played against John Terry, loved watching Jaap Stam, but Rio Ferdinand is the Premier League’s best ever defender
There have been some outrageously good defenders that have played in the Premier League but one Manchester United star has been called the best.
Rio Ferdinand had an incredible career at Old Trafford after signing from Leeds United in 2002 for just under £30million — a world record for a defender at the time.
What followed was 12 trophy-laden years with Ferdinand winning six Premier League titles, two League Cups as well as the Champions League in 2008.
The former England international was a bedrock of Sir Alex Ferguson's success at United, and had an imperious partnership in defence with Nemanja Vidiv, so much so that he is touted as one of the best defenders the Premier League has ever seen.
And speaking to talkSPORT, Red Devils academy coach Tom Huddlestone has gone as far as to say he is the best.
The ex-Tottenham star has played against some of the biggest names in the Premier League including Virgil van Dijk, John Terry, Sol Campbell and Vincent Kompany.
But it is Ferdinand who tops the lot according to Huddlestone, as he spoke to Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent on talkSPORT Drive.
He said: «I've played with Rio in a couple of England squads. I thought that 2002 World Cup, I thought he was the best defender in the world.
»Cultured, good on the ball, if he wanted to play in midfield he probably could have from a young age. Yeah, Rio was class.
«With the younger players coming through the squad, I had a few chats with him myself and he was helpful, having been in a couple of squads with him.»
When asked by Goldstein if he was the best defender ever in the Premier League, Huddlestone replied: «He would be, in my opinion.
»I think there are three or four up there. John Terry, Jaap Stam, albeit he was only there three years but
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