Source: Daily_Mail
Redknapp opens door to possible move for 'world's best' Ferdinand
Harry Redknapp has hailed Rio Ferdinand as the best centre-back in the world and hit back at those who have criticised the player's high-profile blunders this season. [LNB]Ahead of the weekend's north London derby Tottenham manager Redknapp launched a passionate defence of the player who he moulded as a teenager. He also suggested he could offer Ferdinand a way out of his recent difficulties at Manchester United.[LNB] Have faith: Redknapp gave Ferdinand his first-team debut[LNB]'I speak to him, I send him messages,' said Redknapp about their relationship these days. 'I can't think of a better centre-half in the world. I think he's that good still.[LNB]'Everybody has a blip. Tony Adams was a great centre back. He made a mistake and suddenly he was a donkey or whatever. We go overboard about a mistake. He's human.[LNB]'Bobby Moore made mistakes. Bobby gave away a goal against Poland - and he was the greatest. When you try to play football, sometimes you make a mistake.'[LNB]Star of the future: Ferdinand in his West Ham days[LNB]'I used to say that to Rio when he was a kid. I said: "I don't just want you kicking the ball in the stands and up the field - I want you to play. And by making you play, there will be times Rio, one or twice a year when you'll make a mistake. I won't be on your case because I want you to play." [LNB]'That's why he's such a fantastic player. He gets it, he passes it, he plays.'[LNB]Redknapp gave 17-year-old Ferdinand his first-team debut, in May 1996, when the pair were at West Ham. Under the current Tottenham boss' watchful eye, Ferdinand became the youngest defender to play for England when he made his debut on November 15, 1997, aged 19 and eight days.[LNB]Three years later Ferdinand left Upton Park for Leeds United in an £18million deal that made him the world's most expensive defender.[LNB] World beater: Ferdinand's £18million move to Leeds was a record[LNB]'He's recently made important mistakes that have cost the team," Redknapp continued. 'But you don't suddenly say "Look Rio, I don't want you to do that - just kick it up the field". I've always said to him "play, play, play". And I'm sure Sir Alex [Ferguson] will be saying the same thing.'[LNB]Regarding the prospect of a move to Tottenham for Ferdinand, Redknapp said: 'He's a great player but he belongs to Manchester United. He's the captain of Manchester United, playing in the Champions League and playing for England.[LNB]'I think he's fantastic but he isn't coming to Tottenham... well, unless something goes wrong. I don't know.'[LNB] EXCLUSIVE: Spurs in summer swoop for under-fire United defender Rio Don't give up day job, Rio: Ferdinand has to forget red carpet and fix his formFerdinand will put fears into Fabio: Rio's mental lapses proving costlySunderland v WEST HAM: Scott Parker banned for Black Cats matchValon Behrami pledges future to struggling West Ham but Juventus line up January move for all-action midfielder[LNB]
