Who are ya?!
Rio Ferdinand – once upon a time the most expensive defender in world football. Everyone knows Rio, and West Ham fans are certainly very knowledgeable on Rio and his family.
After leaving West Ham, Rio went through Leeds United and on to Manchester United where he’s made 312 appearances over 12 years, winning six league titles along with the 2007-08 Champions League.
The time at Manchester United is up for Rio after his contract was not renewed this summer. He is ready for a new challenge, and looking forward to whatever the future holds for him. Is coming back to West Ham a ‘new’ challenge? I suppose things have certainly changed since 2000, when Rio left West Ham.
Big Sam, spend some money!
As Rio is out of contract, it makes it more likely that Rio could return to West Ham, as the current owners seem to favour loan/free signings of late. There is no doubting that Rio will demand a relatively high wage, but he will surely be willing to take a sizable cut, as he isn’t getting any younger and will not be at a high-status club anymore!
Believability Factor
As I mentioned above, the fact that Rio can be signed for free (excluding contract), it raises the chances of the move happening. However, when Rio is quoted as saying he’s looking forward to a new challenge, you would imagine his mind is elsewhere. Perhaps a move abroad, like his brother Anton is on the cards.
Game Changer?
Is Rio Ferdinand a player who could benefit West Ham?
I don’t think so. Our defence is more or less the only success of recent years. With Winston Reid, James Tomkins and James Collins all fighting it out for two centre-half spots, it may not be necessary to bring in a high-wage player into this position. Rio is now 35-years-old and has certainly lost ‘it’ in recent years. I can’t particularly see him making any real difference to the West Ham squad, and if they were to bring in a centre-half, there are certainly cheaper and better options available, I’m sure.
Rio has a signifcant global brand value that would benefit West Ham commercially. Fact.
He is also a natural leader and a believer in playing the game in the right way. This type of character should always be welcome around West Ham, around the club in general. Someone who would have been very welcome in December 2013 when Nolan let the team down and we struggled with CB injuries.
Rio Ferdinand has been one of best Premiership defenders over the last decade. He has natural ability on the ball, reads the game well and knows how to play the ball out from the back (rather than just hoofing it). He knows the game very well.
Whether or not he’s lost his physical edge is another matter. I’ve seen him have some mares for Man U this season, BUT a few mares doesn’t finish a man off completely. There’s life in the old dog yet imo. New challenge, new motivation.
Look at it this way, he will be mixing it with Tomkins, Reid and Collins and that’s great competition for places. And we need at least 4 decent CBs in the squad! And I also stand by my argument earlier in the season that West Ham playing a 3-5-2 would often get more success. Certainly more goals. … If you play 3 at the back you need 3 capable of doing it and doing it well (physique, ability, maturity, pace etc) and at least 2 back ups in the squad to cover injuries if you play this way regularly. That’s 5 CBs. ….. The only full back we have who can realistically cover at CB is McCartney. Demel and O’Brien are both liabilities at CB (OBrien proved that this season).
So yes, I’d have Rio Ferdinand back in a second.
yes I would like to see Rio back @ west ham, but as a player coach roll, if we can keep Reid & Tom’s, just think what these players would learn from him. playing three across the back with him pulling the strings, that would be good to watch. we do need some class.
West Ham need youngsters, not old codgers coming here to just use West Ham to get a final pay check before they hang up their boots. Rio who? I don’t care who he is, we don’t need him thanks, he’s your baggage Man Utd. Do as you like with him.
Do we really need another CB? Going by the injuries last season I’d say yes we do! No question Rio would bring quality and experience, and along with Reid, Collins and Tomkins i think that would be a formidable defence. Please let this happen G&S
Every past Westham Player we have brought in has not been allowed to perform to their best. Infact all the great players have been gotten rid of or played out of position and his cronnies have been brought in to not score goals. Nolan has had some excellent games but also a lot of bad ones, you can not start to compare him to his predecessor. As much as I would like to see him and as great as he still is…. potentially, Allardyce will ruin the opportunity…. Unless G and S are intending on taking a more authoritarian management role this season coming. Der Hammer is scoring goals like sticking coins in a fruit machine for Guangzhou in China, so many others leave and do well. The reason is obvious!!