Rio Ferdinand
Saturday, 19 January, 2008
He scored his second England goal against Russia at Wembley, more than five years after his first.
Rio Ferdinand
DOB 07.11.78
2007 Caps 8, Goals 1
Career Caps 64, Goals 2
Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand was a mainstay in the England side throughout 2007, with the £30m defender proving why he has been mentioned as potential captain material with some imperious displays at the back alongside John Terry.
The duo were paired together in the heart of the England defence for four Euro 2008 qualifiers in the year and kept clean sheets in all of those games.
Ferdinand was aided by his impressive club form, which saw his Manchester United side pick up their ninth Premier League title and the second since Ferdinand joined the club in 2002.
The Peckham-born player was also voted into the PFA's Premier League Team of the Season and he took his club form into the international stage.
This came most notably when scoring the third goal - and the second of his international career, more than five years after his first - in September's win over Russia, at Wembley.
And although Ferdinand was one of England's best players during their narrow 2-1 defeat in Moscow in the return leg, it can be no coincidence that the 29-year-old was absent through injury when Croatia triumphed 3-2 at Wembley to send England spiralling out of Euro 2008 contention.
The year was a personal triumph for Ferdinand, who uses his pace and superb reading of the game to snuff out opposition attacks before they reach the penalty area, and he will surely look to push on during 2008, where he will hope to ensure England are favourites to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
"I've heard people say it looks as if I don't care and I've certainly read that, but the way I play is natural. I don't think I can change it. I know I'm working as hard as the next man, even if it doesn't always look that way." Rio Ferdinand
"I think Rio is probably the best defender in the world at the moment. He's been doing really well for us." Wayne Rooney