Claims that Rio Ferdinand and John Terry would struggle to adapt to the modern day of football have been waved off by Arsenal icon Ray Parlour.
The former midfielder, who was part of the Gunners' Invincible squad in their 2003/04 Premier League-winning season, has gone on to become a pundit for the likes of BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT since his retirement in 2007.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand, 45, and Terry, 43, are still regularly regarded as the two greatest English centre-backs of all-time. Despite their hefty achievements which combine for 11 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, and 11 FA Cups and EFL Cups.
Despite their legendary status, some have levied accusations that the former centre-backs would struggle in today's era. Defenders nowadays are expected to play from the halfway line as well as build up play from the back, which is deemed as paramount for the success of many teams.
With Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk dominating this era of defenders with their newer responsibilities, Parlour wasn't having the questioning of whether the England greats could adapt to the modern day way of playing in the Premier League.
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"Rio and John Terry would do well in this era," he said speaking exclusively to the Mirror, via NetBet Sports Betting. "Both unbelievable centre backs and would get into any team in this Premier League. They won so much between them in their playing days, they would excel in this era for sure.
Rio Ferdinand spent 12 years with Manchester United (Getty Images)"So it is disrespectful to say they would struggle in this era." Parlour has enjoyed much of the 2023/24 season with his former club currently top of the Premier League with just two games to go, while reigning champions Manchester City sit just one point behind with a game in hand.
Should they get pipped to the title for the second year running by Pep Guardiola's side, the 'Romford Pele' insists it'll still be a successful season for the north London club despite a lack of silverware.
"Arsenal set the bar high last year with a 2nd place finish and although they fell short after the lead they had, this year Arsenal have raised the bar even further," he said.
Both defenders enjoyed stints as England captains (PA)"This year Arsenal have improved on last year as defensively they’ve been outstanding and offensively Arsenal have been brilliant. It’s just you’re coming up against a team like Man City who are just unstoppable at this time of the season.
"Arsenal have improved this year and Rice and Havertz have proved to be the right signings for Arsenal. Depending on who leaves Arsenal this summer, Edu and Mikel will look at this and then look to invest well as they have been doing."
John Terry spent the first 19 years of his professional career with Chelsea (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Looking on to next season, the ex-England international had his say on which positions Mikel Arteta should target in the summer transfer window. "I think Arsenal will add to their striker department as you can’t have enough top quality strikers," he remarked. "I have said before, in our era we had Bergkamp, Wiltord, Kanu and Henry and this was important to our success.
"If Ramsdale moves on then Arsenal will have to buy a suitable replacement, but there is no better place right now than be at Arsenal."
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