Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has named his top five current Premier League central defenders, including Arsenal duo William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Vidic, who is widely considered one of the best defenders in Premier League history after winning five league titles and a Champions League with Manchester United, made the selections in an interview with CGTN Sports Scene. Alongside Saliba and Gabriel, Vidic also highlighted Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, and Manchester City’s Ruben Dias.
Vidic praised these defenders for their standout performances in recent seasons. Micky van de Ven set a Premier League record for the fastest player in history, clocking a speed of 37.38 km/h in a match against Brentford. Van Dijk, a pillar of Liverpool’s defense since his £75 million move in 2017, has played a critical role in securing six major trophies for the club, including the Premier League and the Champions League. Ruben Dias has been instrumental in Manchester City’s dominance, helping them win nine trophies in the last four seasons, including four consecutive Premier League titles.
Saliba and Gabriel have been crucial to Arsenal’s defensive solidity under Mikel Arteta, with both center-backs receiving significant praise for their performances. Vidic, who has firsthand experience as a top Premier League defender, clearly sees the duo as part of the current elite.
During the interview, Vidic also reflected on his own experiences adapting to the Premier League after his £7 million move from Spartak Moscow to Manchester United in 2006. He explained how the diversity of playing styles among Premier League strikers posed a challenge, as every match brought a different type of opponent. Vidic recalled having to face the technical Dimitar Berbatov, the towering Peter Crouch, and the pacey Craig Bellamy, among others. Adapting to these differences, he noted, was crucial to his success in England.
Vidic emphasized the need for flexibility, saying, “You have to adapt and change,” as he learned to adjust to the unique demands of the English game compared to other leagues like Italy. He also acknowledged how difficult it was at first to earn his place and build confidence after initially struggling to settle in at Manchester United. By studying his opponents and working hard, Vidic eventually became one of the league’s most feared defenders.
