In an unexpected development, Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has acclaimed Arsenal star as the best centre-back in the Premier League for the current season.
Ferdinand’s pronouncement has sparked lively debates among soccer fans, especially since it sidesteps celebrated Manchester City defenders John Stones and Ruben Dias.
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During a GOAL feature, Ferdinand kept his counsel until the conversation turned to Saliba, at which point he endorsed the young Frenchman over other esteemed defenders, including Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire of Manchester United; Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur; Sven Botman of Newcastle United; Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool; and Gabriel Magalhaes, also of Arsenal.
When William Saliba, aged 23, was mentioned, Ferdinand made his preference known.
Saliba’s season with Arsenal was remarkable, forming a formidable duo with Gabriel. He participated in all 38 Premier League games, aiding in 18 clean sheets, and contributed two goals and an assist.
Yet, despite these impressive feats, Arsenal did not secure their first Premier League title in 20 years.
Contrastingly, Stones and Dias played pivotal roles in Manchester City’s momentous achievement of a fourth successive Premier League title.
Stones, despite being limited to 16 league appearances due to injuries, displayed adaptability by alternating between defense and midfield, while Dias, with 30 appearances, helped City secure ten clean sheets.
Saliba’s Premier League stats are noteworthy:
He completed 2,415 passes and amassed a remarkable 2,890 touches, placing him third among Premier League centre-backs for both categories.
Saliba reclaimed possession in the defensive third 91 times, ranking sixth among centre-backs, and led the category in the middle third with 105 recoveries.
Despite Manchester City’s victory and the formidable displays from Stones and Dias, Ferdinand’s selection of Saliba is justified by his exceptional performance throughout the campaign, which was vital to Arsenal’s efforts, even though they did not win the title.
