Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell believes there is only one defender in recent football history who was clearly better than he was.
Campbell enjoyed an exceptional five-year spell at Arsenal between 2001 and 2006, making 197 appearances across all competitions, winning two Premier League titles in the process.
Returning for a short second stint in the 2009/10 season, the imperious centre-back finished his career having made 211 appearances in a red and white shirt.
Clearly establishing himself as a Gunners legend, Campbell rates himself as more than just a great in the pantheon of Arsenal stars.
Sol Campbell says only Paolo Maldini has been better than him in recent football history
Arsenal signed Campbell in controversial fashion in 2001.
The England international arrived on a free transfer from rivals Tottenham Hotspur, just two years after captaining the Lilywhites to a League Cup triumph.
Quickly establishing himself as one of the best defenders in the world at Arsenal, Campbell is convinced that his standing in the game is as high now as it was in the early 2000s.
The former Gunners star’s contentious move to Highbury clearly encapsulates his character, as he is certain that only one other defender in recent history can rival him.
In an interview with GIVMESPORT, Campbell was told to make noise when the interviewer named a centre-back who was better than him.
The reporter reeled off an enormous list of names, including the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Vincent Kompany, Gerrard Pique, Thiago Silva, Carlos Puyol, John Terry, Sergio Ramos and Fabio Cannavaro, before Campbell responded.
Halfway through the video, the 51-year-old exclaimed, “there’s only one!”
When Paolo Maldini’s name was read out, Campbell finally admitted that the Italian legend was one defender he couldn’t claim he was better than.
A remarkable reflection of the ex-player’s confidence, Campbell has developed a reputation in recent years of being an assertive and blunt personality.
Does Sol Campbell overrate himself?
Campbell was an outstanding defender.
Contributing to two title-winning sides, he was one of the cornerstones of Arsene Wenger’s invincibles team in the 2003/04 season that conceded just 26 goals in the league.
Quick, aggressive and front-footed, Campbell was able to read the game and make defensive interventions like few others in his era.
That said, it’s certainly possible that one or two of the names read out by the interviewer were, or are, better players than him.
To say that Van Dijk, for instance, is definitively not as good as Campbell was, is perhaps unreasonable given the levels the Liverpool man has showcased in recent seasons.
However, Campbell has every right to back himself in these conversations and display the self-belief that has endeared him to Arsenal supporters over the years.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
