Antonio Rudiger names Premier League duo the best centre-back pairing in the world – and hints that he wants to partner one of them at Real Madrid in audacious transfer bid

  • Antonio Rudiger was asked to name the best defenders in the world today
  • The Real Madrid star went straight to the members of a defensive partnership
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Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger believes one Premier League duo is the best centre-back in the world.

Rudiger, also regarded as one of the best defenders in the world, joined Real Madrid from Chelsea on a free transfer two years ago and has already made more than 100 appearances for the Spanish giants.

And on the Inside Scoop podcast he was asked to name the centre-back he believes is currently performing at ‘top, top level’.

‘(William) Saliba and I also like Gabriel from Arsenal. When you see Arsenal, like the two centre-backs playing together. They’ve been doing it for two years now, they’re doing a great job.’

‘The transformation of Arsenal, that was a bit past and present, and those two are the pillars of that.

Antonio Rudiger has crowned one central defender as the best in the world

‘You have the more aggressive leader with Gabriel and, for example, Saliba, this brother plays clean. No, really, you have to give it to him. You know, he looks like a quiet leader.”

And Rudiger admitted he would love Saliba to join him at the Bernabeu.

When asked which defender he would sign for Real Madrid, the ex-Chelsea player replied: ‘I say William Saliba.

‘I am very happy with my partner as a central defender [Eder] Militao because he also suffered a serious injury and he is back to his best, but there are so many games so we would switch.”

Rudiger believes Arsenal's Gabriel (left) and William Saliba are the best defensive duo

Rudiger believes Arsenal’s Gabriel (left) and William Saliba are the best defensive duo

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Arsenal statistically had the best defense in the Premier League last season, conceding just 29 goals, five fewer than any other team.

They have picked up where they left off this season, with goalkeeper David Raya being beaten just five times in six games, the fewest of any team in the top flight.


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