Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward has named Liverpool's Sadio Mane as one of the toughest players he has come up against in the Premier League.
In an interview with Premier League Productions, which has been quoted on the Eagles' club website, the Palace full-back has been speaking about the best players he has played alongside and faced in his time in the top flight.
He has named four players among the best he has faced, with Mane the sole Liverpool representative alongside three Manchester City stars.
And he has highlighted what makes the quartet so difficult to face as a defender.
"Being in the Premier League the list can go on and on for various different reasons," he said.
"I’d say someone current would be like Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva or [Sadio] Mane. Those kind of guys; [Sergio] Aguero. They’re just frightening in terms of their movement, their knowledge of the game, their intelligence on the pitch.
"It’s a tough one to narrow it down because we’re blessed in the Premier League to have world class players to come up against week in, week out. On their day, anyone can make it a difficult afternoon for you."
As for the best players he has lined up alongside, Ward named current Palace team-mate Gary Cahill and former Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu, who he was at Portsmouth with in the early days of his career.
"I've been fortunate to play alongside some great players," he said.
"In terms of accolades and trophies, you've got to look at [Nwankwo] Kanu, someone who was incredible technically.
"Someone like Gaz [Gary Cahill] - what he's done in the game, the medals he's won, and the career he's had, what he's achieved."
