Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, believes that Laurent Koscielny is one of the two best defenders in the Premier League, with Spurs’ Toby Alderweireld being the other.

Speaking to BT Sport, Ferdinand sang Alderweireld’s praises before following it up that Kos is the other top defender in the English league.

Alderweireld has only made eight Premier League appearances this season due to injury. However, he made his return against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, which Spurs won 3-1 despite already being out of the running for the final 16.

Laurent Koscielny and David Ospina
Arsenal’s French defender Laurent Koscielny (L) congratulates Arsenal’s Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina at the end of the UEFA Champions league Group A football match between FC Basel 1893 and Arsenal FC on December 6, 2016 at the St Jakob Park stadium in Basel. / AFP / Patrick HERTZOG (Photo credit should read PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images)

What’s interesting is that Rio was already talking about Spurs but the fact that he brought up Kos unprompted is pretty telling.

“I think he’s one of the top two defenders along with Koscielny in this league and he does weigh in with a goal here or there,” he said.

Although the France international didn’t have a huge job to do against FC Basel midweek, during our clash against West Ham last weekend he was – once again – immense, keeping us ahead in the tie and allowing us to go ahead and storm it 5-1 in the second half.

He’s one of our most important players, as well as our captain until Per Mertesacker returns. It’s great to have him on board and I’m glad others are noticing.