Virgil van Dijk Rio Ferdinand
Image Credits: Getty images
Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has had his say on the debate of who is a better defender between Virgil van Dijk and Rio Ferdinand.
Although Van Dijk and Ferdinand played in different eras, the duo are often compared to each other.
Ferdinand, who made 514 Premier League appearances across spells in West Ham, Leeds United, Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers, is considered one of the league’s best defenders ever.
Meanwhile, Van Dijk is also seen among his peers and several pundits as the best defender to play in the Premier League.
The Dutchman, who recently became the fastest Liverpool player to reach 200 wins, has been compared to Premier League greats like Ferdinand, John Terry, Vincent Kompany, Jaap Stam, Ledly King and Tony Adams.
However, given that he played in different eras from some of these players, it is a complex debate to argue who is better.
Still, when asked to name who he will choose between Ferdinand and Van Dijk, the former England international’s teammate Jones, who only left United in the summer of 2023 before retiring, made a shock choice.
A record-breaking achievement for @VirgilvDijk ✊🔴
200 wins in 290 games. Incredible 👏 pic.twitter.com/I1GhhiqmUs
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 11, 2024
What Jones said about Virgil van Dijk
Speaking with Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports, Phil Jones was asked to select between both men, and he admitted he just loves watching Van Dijk dominate.
“I think from a modern-day centre-half and what you would want, you know, he’s (Van Dijk) commanding, he’s great on the ball, he’s a threat in both boxes,” said Jones.
“I think it would be harsh to say he [Ferdinand] wouldn’t have been as good as he is now as he was in that era.
“I think he still would have been top, but I’ve got to go Van Dijk. Just because I think what he’s given Liverpool over the last five/six years has been incredible.
“He might have had a little bit of a dip in form over the last four/five months, but he’s right up there.”
In what might be a shock for many that Jones chose Van Dijk, considering that he and Ferdinand were teammates.
Virgil van Dijk or Rio Ferdinand… 🤔
Phil Jones picks his favourite 👀 pic.twitter.com/m5LJu9RNMu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 11, 2024
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