This Chelsea defender rated the best in the Premier League

Former Man Utd star and pundit Rio Ferdinand has rated Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger as the best in the Premier League.

Ferdinand stressed that Rudiger has been at his best since Thomas Tuchel took over as coach at Stamford Bridge.

This comes ahead of Chelsea’s faceoff vs Aston Villa in the Carabao League on Wednesday night.

Ferdinand stressed that both Rudiger and Manchester City’s centre-back, Ruben Dias, have stood out as top defenders in the Premier League during the last year; he, however, added that the Germany international’s effect on his teammates means he edges it as the best in the Premier League.

“Since Tuchel has come, I think he’s [Rudiger] arguably been the best centre-back,” Ferdinand was quoted by Metro UK as saying.

Ferdinand noted that during the reign of Frank Lampard as coach at Stamford Bridge, it was evident the former Chelsea star didn’t like him.

He stressed that this made it hard for Rudiger to perform during that period.

The Germany international contract with the Blues is expected to lapse at the end of this season, and he is yet to put pen to paper for a contract extension, which has created speculations that he wants to leave.