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John Terry Hit Back After Rio Ferdinand Named Premier League’s 5 Greatest Centre-Backs

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Rio Ferdinand and John Terry engaged in a war of words after Ferdinand ranked the Chelsea legend as the fifth greatest centre-back in Premier League history.

Back in 2022, Ferdinand and Virgil van Dijk both ranked the five greatest centre-backs in Premier League history on TNT Sports.

Ferdinand and Terry played alongside for England for many years as they formed a formidable partnership at the back. However, the two had a very public falling out after Terry’s racism row with Ferdinand’s brother, Anton.

Terry received a four-game ban and a hefty £220,000 fine from the Football Association, but he was cleared in court after being charged over the incident.

Despite the two not seeing eye to eye, Ferdinand included Terry in his top five. He ranked the Chelsea icon as the fifth greatest centre-back in Premier League history, behind himself, Nemanja Vidic, Van Dijk and Jaap Stam. He said of his countryman:

“In terms of his longevity, what they [Chelsea] won, body on the line… [He was a] much better footballer than people gave him credit for. Can play off his right and left foot. And the team that he played for suited him as well.”

John Terry Responds to Rio Ferdinand’s Top Five Greatest Premier League Centre-Backs

John Terry and Rio Ferdinand

Terry saw Ferdinand’s top five and he couldn’t resist making his feelings clear. Taking to Instagram, the Chelsea legend posted a compilation of graphics showing statistics he recorded in his career – including the number of times he made the World XI, captains with the most Premier League titles and his win percentage being higher than any other defender.

Alongside the graphic, he wrote the caption: ‘Opinions are great but stats don’t lie.’

That didn’t go down well with Ferdinand, who responded: “The moment one has to start pushing their own records and stats, it’s really time to start addressing the fragile ego. You’re lucky I even put you in the top 5 after the racism case with my brother, so be thankful you made it.”

Terry refused to back down as he replied: “A fragile ego is putting yourself at number 1. Thanks for putting me in your top 5.”

John Terry Picks His Greatest Premier League Centre-Back Ever

john terry chelsea

Despite their issues, Terry has recognised Ferdinand as the greatest centre-back in Premier League history. The debate started again when Jermaine Pennant claimed Van Dijk is a much better defender than Terry ever was, a claim that Jamie O’Hara couldn’t fathom.

When asked to give his thoughts on the Double Tops Podcast, Terry said: “It’s not for me to say. I know this clip’s gone viral because Jermaine Pennant’s roped me in. The debate started about me, Rio [Ferdinand], [Nemanja] Vidic, and then all of a sudden it just got isolated to me.

“I think myself, Rio, Vidic… we’re different generations to Virgil [Van Dijk]. I think van Dijk is the greatest in this generation. He’s the best by a million miles in the Premier League and has been for the last four of five years. If it’s me to say, I’d say Rio.

“I don’t think it’s for me to sit on here and go I’m the best. What I will do… I will come out when someone says the high scoring defender and clean sheets. No, no, that’s me. So I’m allowed to defend myself in terms of that.

“But if I had to pick someone, Rio, over time, lonbegvity, what he won. Playing at one of the biggest clubs in the world at Man Utd, that’s the greatest for me.”

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Tottenham Make £100m Offer for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali

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Tottenham have reportedly made a £100m offer to secure a new signing in the summer transfer window as they continue their big spending.

It’s already been a hectic window for the North London club, confirming three new additions with plenty of other deals being worked on.

Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi have all signed on the dotted line at Tottenham so far.

They certainly won’t be the only additions to arrive through the door in the coming weeks, with Spurs in talks to sign a number of players.

It’s no surprise that Tottenham are incredibly busy after such a disappointing season in the Premier League, finishing 17th for the second campaign in a row.


Roberto De Zerbi points during Tottenham's win over Everton


Fabrizio Romano: Tottenham Tie ‘Phenomenal’ Star Down to New 5-Year Contract

Tottenham aren’t messing around this summer.

Tottenham Make £100m Offer

Roberto De Zerbi via Reuters

According to reports, Tottenham have taken a big step towards securing their fourth signing of the summer transfer window.

Tottenham have submitted a £100m offer to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, and the Italian international wants to make the move to Spurs this summer to play under Roberto De Zerbi.

A few details are missing before Spurs can complete a deal, but Tonali, who has ‘incredible pace’ according to the Premier League, remains Tottenham’s number one target for the midfield position.

Tottenham are heavily prioritising signing new midfielders after strengthening their defence earlier in the window. Tonali does appear to be the priority target, with Spurs willing to pay a hefty amount of money to secure his signature.

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Tottenham Working on Fernandes Deal

West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring Premier League goal against Sunderland via Reuters

Tottenham are also working on a deal to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the summer transfer window.

The north London club face competition from Manchester United for his signature, but Spurs are actively pushing to bring him to the club in the coming weeks.

The Portuguese midfielder could cost in the region of £85m to prise him away from West Ham, and it’s a competitive race to secure his signature.

Tottenham are clearly prioritising a move to sign a midfielder or two this summer, and it will be interesting to see if they try to bring in both Fernandes and Tonali.



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PSG Leading Race Ahead of Liverpool for Maghnes Akliouche

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Liverpool could be set to miss out on one of their summer transfer window targets, with PSG now leading the race, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds are preparing for a big summer window after a disappointing season in the Premier League.

Liverpool are also entering a new era after it was confirmed that Andoni Iraola would take over from Arne Slot ahead of the new season.

The Merseyside club will be looking to back the new manager with reinforcements, especially with the former Bournemouth boss having a unique style of play.

Iraola style is more high-pressing and energetic than Slot, which could require different profiles of players.

It looks set to be a busy summer transfer window for Liverpool, but they already appear to be missing out on targets.


Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca


Fabrizio Romano: Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race to Sign ‘Ridiculous’ Star

Man City are keen on the midfielder.

Liverpool Behind in Race for Star

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola looks on during Premier League match

According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Paris Saint-Germain are now leading the race ahead of two Premier League clubs for Monaco talent Maghnes Akliouche.

Reports claimed earlier this year that Liverpool were showing strong interest in signing the French star in a deal worth around £60 million.

Akliouche, described as ‘insane’, is expected to move this summer, with ‘talks and approaches intensifying’, according to Romano.

Monaco expect bids for Akliouche soon, and it remains to be seen where he will end up.

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Liverpool May Have Other Priorities Now

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande celebrates a goal REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Liverpool appear to have other priorities in the summer transfer window ahead of the likes of Akliouche.

The Reds are pushing to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who also has interest from PSG, and he has already agreed personal terms to join the club.

Liverpool have already seen an offer in the region of €100 million rejected for Diomande. The offer was €80 million plus €20 million in add-ons, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

The Reds are looking to find a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is leaving the club on a free transfer this summer. Diomande has been identified as the ideal option.

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Sweden’s Alexander Isak is Playing at the World Cup With Eritrea’s Flag on His Boots

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Alexander Isak is currently competing in his first-ever World Cup tournament this summer, but has another country’s flag on his boots. Liverpool’s British transfer fee record signing has looked much more like himself so far this tournament, with one goal and three assists in three appearances meaning he ranks among the best performers based on stats.

Sweden drew 1-1 with Japan in their final match to set up an unenviable Round of 32 tie with France, who are among the favourites for glory come July 19. In that crunch fixture, Isak is likely to come up against Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but there’s no reason for him not to believe he can go toe-to-toe with them alongside Viktor Gyokeres.

Eagle-eyed supporters watching Tuesday night’s action might be keen to spot which flag Isak wears on his boots ahead of the iconic blue and yellow Swedish emblem. There’s a reason behind it.

Which Flag Alexander Isak Wears on his Boots – And Why

Alexander Isak TT News Agency via Reuters

Isak is proud of his heritage and has the Eritrean flag on his boots. The flag has been seen on Isak’s right Adidas boot in both World Cup games. Though he was born in Solna, just north of capital Stockholm, Isak’s parents are from Eritrea in Horn of Africa and moved to Sweden. Speaking in an interview with Alan Shearer, he said:

“Even though I grew up in Sweden, there is a big Eritrean community. I was always around, and raised, in that type of environment. I haven’t been there many times lately, but last time I was there, it was a really good experience. I don’t think there are too many idols they have within the sports world.”

He visited a football school during a trip to Eritrea, where he was mobbed by young children who look up to him. The country marked its 35th Independence Day in May after decades of struggle, and Isak wore an Eritrea shirt to send a celebratory message.

Located on the Red Sea coast, Eritrea borders Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. The country gained independence in 1993 after a long war of liberation.

Isak represented Sweden at youth level before making his senior debut in 2017, ultimately committing his international future to the Scandinavian nation. Although he was also eligible to play for Eritrea, the national team had endured a long absence from major continental competition, going close to two decades without an Africa Cup of Nations appearance.

Their return to competitive action in March this year marked a rare bright moment, as they beat Eswatini 2-0 in a qualifier staged in Morocco due to a lack of suitable infrastructure in Eritrea. They followed that up with a 2-1 win in the return leg, results that finally earned the nation an official FIFA world ranking after years of inactivity.


FIFA World Rankings


FIFA Men’s World Rankings List

The latest international rankings have been revealed – Spain have been dethroned ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Before those victories, Eritrea had been the only unranked side in the system. Their earlier absence from qualifiers, including withdrawals from 2026 World Cup qualifying, left them in a unique position within the rankings. Reporting has previously suggested that repeated pullouts were linked in part to concerns over players seeking asylum while travelling abroad for international fixtures.

Since 2007, it is estimated that dozens of players and coaching staff have left the national setup during overseas trips, according to UN figures. More recently, Eritrea sit around 184th in the FIFA rankings, though that position could improve if they maintain consistent participation and results moving forward.

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