Rio: Rafael Will Be A Top Defender

Rio Ferdinand has today sung the praises of Rafael da Silva, who scored our equalising goal against Liverpool.

Our right back has two goals in four games this season and his strengths certainly seem to lie in his attacking ability. However, Rio reckons he’s got the makings of a great defender.

“Rafa is his own worst critic,” Ferdinand said. “He is emotional and sometimes when he makes a mistake he has to make up for it immediately. That comes out in his game at times. When I was his age I was a lot like that. I used to be more interested in what was happening in the attacking part of the game and further up the pitch than defensive play. With experience that will disappear and you will see a top right-back.”