Ferdinand names best defender in Premier League

Rio Ferdinand, a Manchester United legend, claims that Lisandro Martinez is the Premier League’s best defender right now.

The Argentine World Cup winner has been crucial to United’s resurgence this season, despite arriving under a cloud of doubt and aspersion from Ajax in the summer.

He is enjoying a particularly purple patch for the Red Devils at the moment and was once again impressive against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Ferdinand told his FIVE podcast that there was no ‘argument’ that the summer signing was currently best in class at the heart of defence, and extolled several of his virtues, namely his aggression, dominance and communication.

‘On form right now, I don’t think there’s really much argument coming from anywhere else,’ he began.

‘I think he’s dominant, he’s aggressive, he’s a leader, he communicates well, he shows character, he’s there in big moments.’

But the iconic ex-England and United star was also quick to praise Erik ten Hag’s role in manipulating his side’s possession to bring the best out of Martinez.

The Argentine followed Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford from Amsterdam over the summer, and has flourished once again under the Dutchman.

Ferdinand did however admit he was one of those to question how the 25-year-old, who stands at just 5ft 7in, could compete in a division so infamously physical and combative as the Premier League.

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‘But I was one of the ones questioning, ‘Is he physically gonna be able to compete here if teams isolate him, if teams isolate him?’ he continued.

‘And that’s where Erik ten Hag has been confident in tactically being able to keep teams away from being able to dominate enough possession to isolate someone like Martinez.

‘And, up till now, he hasn’t been exposed in that sense. On a regular basis, week after week, are we not sitting there going, “That’s a recurring problem, there. It continues to happen, someone’s pulling out on him and jumping over him or bullying him physically”.

‘We haven’t seen that, that hasn’t become the narrative, and you have to say well done to him but also well done to the recruitment up to now.’

Since his Premier League debut, Martinez has managed 30 games in all competitions, scoring once against Arsenal in the recent 3-2 defeat at the Emirates.

In that time, he has also racked up an impressive 56 tackles, 21 blocks, 105 clearances and 32 interceptions in all competitions for his club.