When Will Rio Be Back?

If you had asked me six months ago who was England’s best centre back I would have undoubtedly said Rio Ferdinand. However posed with the same question now I would be a little less sure. I think that the talk that he’s “over the hill” is overly dramatic, but Ferdinand’s form this season has definitely been more than questionable. He made huge mistakes for both club and country recently (see Manchester derby and the Ukraine game respectively), and has had spotty form all season. The real question is has the rock that was Rio Ferdinand crumbled for good or can the caring hands of Sir Alex and Don Fabio piece him back together?

Rio suffered an injury during pre-season and Fergie cites this as one of the reasons Ferdinand hasn’t been himself of late. Ferguson backed him, saying:

“There is no discernible depreciation in his qualities – none for me at all.”

Edwin van der Sar, Manchester United teammate has also come out with a statement of support.

Both van der Sar and Fergie say that everyone goes through a rough patch professionally, and Ferdinand’s recent string of niggles hasn’t helped, but if this streak goes on much longer it may be too late for Ferdinand. He will be celebrating his 31st birthday soon, and while defenders can go on playing at the top level longer than other players, it’s no doubt that Rio will feel the clock ticking.

I really do like Ferdinand as a player, I think his command of the ball and the box is lovely. And I do hope he manages to stagger away from this rough patch with his skills fully in tact. But that said I think the next two or three months are vital for Ferdinand and may determine whether he starts in South Africa or not.