Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has issued a stern warning to his former club and their Premier League rivals Arsenal about signing Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres. Ferdinand believes the Swedish forward may struggle to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League despite his impressive form in Portugal.

Gyökeres, who has scored 27 goals from just 24 matches in the Portuguese first division and another six goals in eight UEFA Champions League games, has attracted the attention of several top European clubs. But according to Ferdinand, stats alone are not enough to guarantee success in England’s top flight.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said:

“I don’t think he’s the guy. I’ve not watched him loads, but I’ve probably watched him three times really, really closely. Three times I’ve watched him and I’ve gone, ‘He ain’t getting those opportunities in the Premier League.’ When I see him physically matched, I don’t see it. What else is there?”

The former England international highlighted the physicality of the Premier League as a major concern, adding that while Gyökeres may thrive in the Portuguese league, it would be a different story in England.

“Physicality is a massive thing in the game today. A Rúben Amorim team needs physicality and runners, but there’s no real physicality in this squad. It just isn’t there.”

He further compared Gyökeres to former Chelsea forward Timo Werner, whose inability to cope with the league’s physical demands saw him struggle to make a lasting impact at Stamford Bridge.

“I remember when Timo Werner first came to Chelsea, they played Brighton, and he said, ‘I’ve never seen anything like that’ in terms of the physicality. Physicality is such a big thing in the Premier League.”

Opinion: Is Ferdinand’s Concern Justified?

Ferdinand’s concerns about Gyökeres’ adaptability to the Premier League shouldn’t be dismissed. The league is known for its fast pace, aggressive tackles, and relentless intensity. While Gyökeres’ statistics in Portugal are impressive, the level of competition and defensive organization in the Premier League is on a different scale.

However, there’s also the possibility that Ferdinand is underestimating the striker’s ability to adapt. Gyökeres’ clinical finishing and ability to score regularly in European competitions show he has talent. The real question is whether he can successfully translate that form to England’s top flight.

Would Gyökeres be worth the gamble for clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United? Or would it be another case of a player failing to meet Premier League expectations?