Troy Deeney says that Rio Ferdinand is the best defender ever, ahead of John Terry, Virgil Van Dijk and Paolo Maldini.
The Manchester United legend is regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, after a stellar career in which he won six Premier League titles, a Champions League, two League Cups and a Club World Cup as well as captaining England and earning 81 caps for his country.
Deeney, who has played in the Premier League for Watford, was speaking to one of Ferdinand 's former teammates in Ben Foster on his podcast ' The Fozcast ' and when asked if Liverpool centre back Van Dijk was the best ever quickly praised Ferdinand over the Dutchman.
"Oooh, that's a statement. Over Rio? JT [John Terry]? Maldini? Wow. I think generationally he's very good, but I love Rio Ferdinand though. I love Rio Ferdinand."
Foster went on to say that Van Dijk and Ferdinand would be the greatest partnership of all-time, labelling them 'the dream' and Deeney agreed, claiming that Nemanja Vidic was also in with a shout.
"You played with Vidic, he was the type to headbutt the back of your head and win the ball. They were good, really good."
Ferdinand twice broke the world record for the highest fee paid for a defender, signing for United in a £30m deal from Leeds before spending 12 seasons at the club. He was the captain in Moscow in the 2008 Champions League final in the absence of Gary Neville and is widely regarded by fans as the gold standard of defending in the modern era.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
