Gabbidon. "I want to model myself on Rio"

Last updated : 27 July 2002 By Michael Morris
City's talented defender has told the Western Mail

"It would be fantastic to emulate Rio but I'm nowhere near his class yet. He's a brilliant player and I want to model myself on him.

"He's calm on the ball and he's also a good passer. He's got everything. He's definitely the best defender in Britain at the moment.

"He's also got pace and is good in the air. Not many defenders have all those things. If I achieve half of what he's achieved I'll be very happy.

"I watched Rio in the World Cup. Before that I always thought he was a good player but I wondered if he was world-class. He proved he was in that tournament.

"If anyone asks me which defender I want to play like then I'll say Rio Ferdinand.

"His move to Manchester United had made centre-backs more fashionable because forwards tend to get all the glory. That deal shows just how important a good centre-back is to the team.

"My plan is to get better in some way each season. I want to move up a level at the end of every season, that's my aim."

He added, "I think I'm similar to Rio in that away from football we're both quiet men who have never forgotten our roots.

"It would be nice to earn £70,000 a week like him although I'm not one for flashy cars and all that. Money isn't the most important thing to me. I'd still play football if there was no money in it because I love the game so much.

"I'll always remember who I am. I'm very lucky to be a professional footballer - at West Brom there were times I didn't think I'd make it. I'll never become a big-time Charlie."

Gabbidon's next step is to get regular football with Wales as well as helping Cardiff Cty get promotion from Division 2. Gabbidon made a successful full debut against the Czech Republic but missed out on playing against Germany when he was injured. City boss Lennie Lawrence said that Gabbidon, 22, "would one day play centre back for Wales" after another comfortable performance from the defender in City pre season game at Ayr Utd.