Rio Ferdinand names his 12 world-class players… with eight Premier League stars but NO Saka or Arsenal team-mates
RIO FERDINAND has revealed the dozen players he thinks ARE world-class.
The Manchester United legend claimed last week that Bukayo Saka is not an elite player due to his lack of big-game impact.
So when Arsenal fans spotted Ferdinand on a Ryanair flight to the Gunners’ Champions League clash with Porto, they told him he was wrong about their star.
Clearing up the debate, the TNT Sports pundit listed 12 players he believes are actually world-class – and no Arsenal aces made the cut.
Manchester City stars Ederson, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland all made the cut.
While fellow title rivals Liverpool had three on the list: Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah.
And making up the dozen were Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.
Martin Keown was unhappy with the selections, remarkably saying: “Bellingham would be one I would question.
“Of course, he is an amazing footballer with what he is doing at Real Madrid right now – but Saka has been England player of the year the last two years – Bellingham hasn’t got a look in on that.
“He’s still on Rio’s list – maybe he’s being a little bit mischievous.”
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Ferdinand defended himself, admitting that Bellingham is in a bracket just under the elite.
He continued: “For me, it’s time, I think he is in world-class form, but he needs that time.
“Saka has got world-class potential, but he hasn’t been exposed to the knockout stages of the Champions League, the longevity which is the difference.
“All of the other players on that list have been in the top most prestigious games and they have produced in those moments.”
Ally McCoist added: “The key factor to being world-class is brilliance and trophies but key to it is longevity.
“Guys are capable in their career of having world-class moments or world-class periods.
“At this moment in time, Saka and Bellingham are hopeful of world-class moments and can hopefully be described as world-class at the end of their careers.”