Player Reviews 08/09: Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand is the next player to be analysed by Vital United. Rio, often wearing the captain's armband, had a good season but it could have been better...

Rio Ferdinand

Squad number: 5

b>Position: centre-back

b>Games played: 43

b>Goals scored: 0

Best game of the season:

Internazionale away. He was absolutely magnificent even in the absence of Vidic and his calm, assured confidence 'infected' the Serbian's deputy Jonny Evans too and our defence never really looked like conceding. His performance at Porto deserves a mention as well: thrown in after missing more than three weeks with an injury he was rock solid.

Worst game of the season:

The Liverpool nightmares were least of all his fault but he deserves a slap for the Champions League final. He was a good three or four feet away from the only Barcelona player in our area when Xavi whipped his cross in... and Lionel Messi scored with a HEADER as a consequence. Shameful.

Overview:

Injury disrupted his campaign and he was forced to miss plenty of games, some important ones as well. He played his part in the successes and was quite consistent throughout the campaign. The persistent groin and back niggles are worrying, that's the biggest negative of his season.

Vital's Rating: 7

For the very latest Premier League odds

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.