Aaron Ramsdale has claimed Manchester City have a defender who is the best ball-playing centre-back in the Premier League.

It is fair to claim that for the Arsenal goalkeeper to make such a statement is bold.

The Gunners have two centre-backs in Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba who would also classify as top ball-playing defenders.

This season, the Arsenal duo have an argument to have been the league’s two best centre-backs based on their respective displays.

After all, Mikel Arteta’s side have the best defensive record in the division and the pair are a huge reason why that is the case.

Furthermore, Aaron Ramsdale has an idea of how much quality they possess, having played behind them and watched them in training.

Ramsdale says City have the best ball-playing defender in the Premier League

However, one can understand why Ramsdale has made such a claim as well.

After all, Pep Guardiola’s men have several centre-backs who could be regarded as the best ball-playing defenders in world football.

Josko Gvardiol has showcased his footwork is akin to an attacker, as his showing against Wolves exemplified on Saturday.

Gvardiol was ghosting past players for fun and that too in tight areas.

According to Sofascore, the Croatian completed three out of his three attempted dribbles during the game.

Manuel Akanji is also a top centre-half, with Rio Ferdinand emphasising how “valuable” he is to this City side in March.

The same can be said about Nathan Ake as well.

However, Aaron Ramsdale believes John Stones is the best centre-back in the Premier League.

“I don’t like what you’ve done with John Stones there, putting him CDM [central defensive midfielder]”, Ramsdale said as the £50 million man was named as a defensive midfielder on EA FC 24.

When asked to pick either of two teams, with one featuring Ruben Dias, Nelson Semedo and Pedro Neto or the side featuring Luke Shaw, John Stones and Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Ramsdale conceded that the Portuguese team is superior.

“Yeah, I think if John was centre-half, I might try and be swayed because I think John’s the best ball-playing centre-back in the league”, he added on the Premier League’s official YouTube channel.

Aaron Ramsdale needs no reminding of how brilliant John Stones is

Ramsdale has faced City on several occasions for both Sheffield United and Arsenal.

Aaron Ramsdale has also trained and played with John Stones on international duty for years.

As a result, the former AFC Bournemouth shotstopper needs no reminding of how exceptional a defender the 29-year-old is and has been for several seasons now.

Perhaps having witnessed Stones also be able to play in midfield, Ramsdale might still feel he is on another level compared to his Arsenal teammates such as Saliba and Gabriel.

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