Rio Ferdinand is England’s number one defender. Some compare him to the likes of Bobby More, an England’s legendary defender that captained England when they won the World Cup in 1966.

Rio is the nephew of former England international striker, Les Ferdinand. He began to gain recognition in British football when he made his first team debut at West Ham on May 5th 1996, 6 months before his 18th birthday. Talented as he has always been, he was awarded the Hammer Young Player of the Year at the age of 20. With other young talents like Lampard, Carrick and Joe Cole, West Ham could’ve been a serious title contender, but as financial trouble and poor management decision arose, the club was forced to sell their young star talents. Today both Rio and Carrick play for Manchester United, while Cole and Lampard play for United’s rival, Chelsea.

Rio, contrary to his partner in defence, Vidic, is an elegant defender. He plays with grace and uses more of his wits with the off-side trap rather than having to lunge a tackle. He is also the kind of defender that likes to take the ball upfront and then pass it instead of just doing a simple clearance. With two very different styled defender on the back, the partnership of hard-man Vidic with elegant Rio gives Manchester United’s defence the dynamics it needs since the days of Pallister and Steve Bruce era ended.

If anything can be wrong said about Rio, is the drug test controversy in 2003. Rio missed a drug test, claiming that he forgot because he was too busy taking care of moving out of his house. Rio was banned for 8 months, and for that it cost him the entire season and the summer tournament, Euro 2004.

Despite some off-field controversies, such as driving offences and homophobic allegations, and some blunders he made, Rio is still one of the supporters favourite players. He gives leadership and directions at the back. As a smart and highly gifted player, Rio Ferdinand is one of Manchester United’s and England’s most precious talent.

 

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