Rio Ferdinand has admitted that Rodri has surpassed his Manchester United teammate Michael Carrick as a defensive midfielder.
Recently, the well-known pundit named the Spanish international amongst the only 12 world-class players in the game currently, in his view.
In October, Rio Ferdinand told JOE that if Michael Carrick was playing today, he would be in the conversation for the best number six in the world alongside Rodri and Casemiro.
Rio Ferdinand admits Rodri is better than Michael Carrick ever was
The Englishman is often considered one of the most underappreciated players of his generation, with Jermain Defoe naming in his ‘underrated XI’ of players he played with [via BBC Sounds’ YouTube channel].
The retired striker also claimed Carrick should have had 50 more England caps as well.
However, Rio Ferdinand, who trained and played with Michael Carrick for both Manchester United and the Three Lions has admitted that Manchester City midfielder Rodri has surpassed him.
“He’s not [Roy] Keane and Rodri’s above him, I have to say. And [Michael] Carrick’s probably the best CDM [central defensive midfielder] I’ve played with. Him and Owen Hargreaves were ridiculous”, Ferdinand said on his show, ‘Vibe With Five’.
“But I think Roy Keane is another level up because of [being] even more of just a footballer and Rodri, what he’s doing right now, he’s the best CDM on the planet, no doubt.”
Rodri has most definitely surpassed the Manchester United legend
The fact that Rio Ferdinand believes Rodri is superior to Michael Carrick sums up the former’s greatness.
After all, Carrick was a world-class holding midfielder and played a key role in United’s success.
However, Rodri can perhaps do everything the retired technician can at a much higher level.
For starters, the treble-winner is a superior athlete to Michael Carrick and his reading of the game is also better than he was.
Technically as well, while Carrick was terrific, Rodri’s range of passing is perhaps only rivalled by the likes of Pirlo and Busquets, in our view while his carrying of the ball is even better than the legendary pair.
As far as delivering in big moments go as well, the 27-year-old is on a different tier to Michael Carrick and most holding midfielders.
