Rio Ferdinand backs Arsenal star to become ‘the best in the world within three years’

William Saliba will be the world’s best defender after Virgil van Dijk, says Rio Ferdinand (AP)

Rio Ferdinand has backed William Saliba to become the best centre-back in the world but believes Manchester United’s Leny Yoro can get close to the Arsenal defender.

Saliba registered another impressive display at the heart of Arsenal’s defence on Wednesday evening and scored his side’s second goal in their 2-0 win against United at the Emirates Stadium.

Yoro, meanwhile, was brought on as a substitute in the second half to make his Premier League debut for United following his €62 million (£52.1m) move from Lille in the summer transfer window.

The 19-year-old, whose start at United has been disrupted after he fractured his foot in pre-season, delivered a promising cameo and Ferdinand believes the French defender can eventually get close to Saliba’s level.

‘I think he’s [Saliba] going to be the best defender in the world,’ Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.

‘Saliba will be the best defender in the world when Virgil van Dijk gives up that post.

Leny Yoro impressed during his Manchester United debut against Arsenal (Getty)

‘As soon as that happens, it could be in a year, it could be three years. Whenever it’s going to be I don’t see anyone else taking over.

‘The only person I see, the person who I think will rival him and it will be close is Leny Yoro.

‘To be injured and to come in and it’s not even do quite well… he got in two situations one vs one on the edge of the box on his own and dealt with them both really well.

‘To go back to Saliba, he looks imposing. Rasmus Hojlund is probably still trying to fight his way out of his pocket now. It was like a man against a boy. I want to see Rasmus Hojlund improve in those situations, in those one vs ones.

‘And I can say the same about [Erling] Haaland, when Haaland comes up agaisnt a Van Dijk, against a Saliba-type guy, I want to see him bully the life out of them as well, I was to see him hurt them and put punches in those guys, not just flat-track bullies.

‘Saliba looked clean, confident, classy, strong, elegant. Everything you’d want in a centre half and it was great just to see another centre-half, a young one, come on who is two or three years behind in adjusting to the Premier League and come on and look so clean in the defensive situations where if you’re going to be a top team you need someone in the back line, at least one of them, who can go one vs one with anyone on the pitch.’

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