Rio Ferdinand has insisted comparisons between himself and William Salbia are premature despite a fine start to the young defender’s time in the Arsenal first-team.
William Gallas likened the Frenchman to the former Manchester United star, who won six Premier League titles and a Champions League in a storied career.
Gallas had said: “Saliba is a really good player. When I look at him, he reminds me of a player I used to play against – and that player is Rio Ferdinand. If you look at how Saliba plays, and how Rio did when he was young, they have the same style.”
But Ferdinand shot back that, while the Arsenal centre-back has the potential to succeed, it is “madness” to raise expectations to such a high level.
He told Vibe with Five: “How many Premier League games has he played? How many Premier League games had I played at that point?
“I broke the British transfer record at that time and people are drawing comparisons? It’s a madness! Give the boy some time! He’s doing well. But you don’t judge players when it’s all going well, you say, ‘Brilliant... I’d like to see the next phase’.
“When it all goes against you and it’s a little bit of distress I still want to see the chest popping out, I still want to see shoulders back and I still want to see you wanting the ball and see you on the front foot with that determination and desire… a lot of what we’re not getting at Man United.
“But Saliba he is showing great potential. Young player of the year in France last year but he’s got a lot to do to make sure he stay in the team but he started off very, very well.”
