Rio Ferdinand ‘absolutely’ disagrees with what he’s heard from Gary Neville about Jurrien Timber

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Jurrien Timber has been one of the standout performers so far this season, but Rio Ferdinand has one issue.

It’s unheard of for a player to suffer an ACL injury and return to a new league at the highest level possible.

That’s just what Timber has done at Arsenal after missing the entirety of his debut season in England, with Mikel Arteta reaping the rewards.

Timber’s transfer to Arsenal has been described as an act of theft because he’s so good, but Rio Ferdinand has yet to believe that the Dutchman is the best.

• READ MORE: Jurrien Timber is about to hit a new level at Arsenal

Rio Ferdinand doesn’t think Jurrien Timber is the best full-back 

Analysing the drama that matchday nine of the Premier League season produced on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ferdinand referenced a comment made by Gary Neville about Timber.

Neville said Timber is close to being the best in the world in his position, something Ferdinand strongly disagrees with.

“I think I saw Gary Neville speak the other day. I think it was on his podcast. I’m not sure, but he said that. Who did he say? He said Timber’s the best fullback at doing both going back and going forward. I absolutely disagree.”

Though Ferdinand acknowledged how remarkable Timber has been this season, the pundit argued his opinion by mentioning three players, he believes, are better than the Arsenal man.

“I don’t know if he meant Premier League, but if he means around in full stop. No,” Ferdinand began.

“Timber’s top. Timber’s a great defender. I think Timber’s top. But the best fullbacks in the world are PSG, who got the best two in the world, and I think Reece James is probably, Reece James is up there without a doubt.”

Ferdinand thinks Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi and Chelsea’s Reece James are better than Timber, a claim that Arsenal fans would challenge.

Reece James is statistically comparable to two Arsenal players

James is a terrific player when he’s fit, which is what has been an issue the Englishman has combatted throughout his career.

For that reason, it’s difficult to argue that the 25-year-old is currently better than Timber, but Ferdinand’s belief does carry some weight.

As listed by FBref, two of the top five players who are statistically comparable to James in the 2025/26 Premier League season belong to Arsenal. 

Timber is the second most comparable to James, and in third, Riccardo Calafiori’s numbers are similar to the Chelsea star’s.

Time will tell who is the better full-back, with all eyes on Arsenal’s clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November.