Analysis: Why Premier league clubs should avoid signing Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand – No longer the player he was

Rio Ferdinand’s future has been fiercely debated since he failed to agree a contract extension with Manchester United, thus ending his 12 year association with the Old Trafford outfit earlier this summer.

The 35-year-old was once regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world and convinced Sir Alex Ferguson to part with a British record fee of £30 million for his services in 2002. However, after a glittering. trophy laden career with the Red Devils he is in uncharted territory as a free agent.

Three seasons ago, he would have been inundated with offers had he found himself in the same situation, but with his reputation rapidly unravelling, he cannot afford to be picky when deciding his next career move.

Aston Villa have become the first Premier League outfit to show their hand in a public attempt to entice the former England defender to his club. However, the defender has spurned manager Paul Lambert’s advances, with <Ferdinand rejecting Aston Villa--.

Although the Midlands outfit’s stature slipping during the last couple of seasons that has seen them narrowly avoid relegation to England’s second tier, they are steeped in tradition and are regarded as somewhat of a fallen giant.

Such a project would seemingly have appealed to Ferdinand after he revealed he wanted a new challenge and one final crack at regular Premier League football. By no means are Villa likely to be the best offer he receives this summer, particularly financially, but they are at the level Ferdinand is now suited too.

The news that former Arsenal man Philippe Senderos is set to join the Villans may not have been greeted with optimism given his shaky performances for the Gunners that stick with the mind and a bullet may well have been dodged due to Ferdinand’s reluctance to make the switch.

The partnership may well have proved a recipe for disaster, given the former Red Devils defender’s decline. It is not only his stature that has fallen away in recent seasons, but more worryingly his lack of pace, which he relied on for the majority of his career.

With just nine tackles won in the Premier League last season, the least of any United defender and a mere 25 attempted aerial duels, Ferdinand was lucky to have been part of a club like United.

Granted their decline under David Moyes was been steep too, but they mustered a seventh place finish and are closer to the top four than many would believe. It was glaringly obvious Ferdinand was not cut out to perform on a regular basis for United and if he turns out for a team in the mid to lower half of the division, he could well be out of his depth.

Having benefited from being surrounded by talented players during some of his worst performances this season, there will be nowhere to hide elsewhere. He will still be able to bring a wealth of experience and level head to the dressing room but he would be expected to lead and marshal the line.

Ferdinand will command vast wages and a pay cut is definitely on the cards as no team will surely be able to justify such a huge sum for a player that managed just 14 league appearances last season. In truth, he will not be worth the risk for many clubs.

If a mid table side breaks the bank for his services and then he spends the majority of the campaign on the sidelines, it could prove to be costly. His decision to turn down Villa is surprising, but he appears to hold onto the belief a top level side could yet welcome him into the fold.

It could be argued that Ferdinand would be worthy of a squad place, at best, in a top six side. Tottenham Hotspur are rumoured to be interested but with Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking style, it seems unlikely.

A lucrative move to an MLS franchise appears to be the best option for Ferdinand. He would be able to slip under the radar and finish his playing career away from the media spot light.

Continuing past your sell by date at elite level can have disastrous consequences. His reputation is at risk and he represents little more than that for many Premier League sides at present.

At 35 years of age, a former great can quickly become a figure of ridicule and Ferdinand does not seem to be someone that would be willing to risk what he has already achieved.