I played against Eden Hazard and Sadio Mane, but the player signed by Sir Alex Ferguson and Antonio Conte was among the toughest.

Joel Ward has had to try and keep the likes of Eden Hazard, Sadio Mane and Luis Suarez quiet, but one surprise name stands out as his toughest opponent.

He Crystal Palace The right-back has over 300 Premier League appearances to his name, meaning he has come up against his fair share of electric forwards.

The quality of players has also increased throughout his 12 years competing in the top flight, forcing Ward to constantly adapt his game.

That's not to say it has been an easy path as a right-back, with opposition attackers doing everything they can to fool the Palace captain.

However, when asked by talkSPORT who was the toughest winger he had to try to block, Ward opted for a city ​​of manchester icon.

“I always say things like David Silvajust because he was so smart on the field,” Ward said.

“Going up against someone like him, obviously I know he wasn't an absolute winger, but the positions he took put you in gray areas where you couldn't get in and you couldn't close him down. So if he turns around, he's choosing a world pass.”

Silva scored 60 goals and racked up 97 assists in 300 Premier League appearances for City, while terrorizing opposition defenses with defence-splitting passes and labyrinthine dribbles up and down the pitch.

Ward also had a more surprise name in store and is a man who converted from a speedy winger to an all-round right back at 39 years old.

“I always have to laugh, my brother-in-law mentions it all the time, but someone like ashley youngwho can play both ways,” Ward said of the player Sir Alex Ferguson signed in manchester united And then Antonio Conte brought him to Inter.

“He can cut, use his left, use his right. That's always difficult, especially as a full-back. You would almost prefer someone who is absolutely left-footed, you know he's not going to attack again.” “Okay, at least you can show them the future or something, but when you have someone who can go in any direction, intervene and connect, it's difficult.”

Fortunately for Ward, he never had to face Michael Olise, Wilfried Zaha or Eberechi Eze in the Premier League.

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Zaha and Olise lit up the Palace flanks before moving on to Galatasaray and Bayern Munich respectively, while Eze remains at Selhurst Park and is a vital source of creativity for Oliver Glasner's side.

Ward described training against Eze as “a battle every day” but believes defending against the trio over the years has “surely” made him a better defender, even if there have been some embarrassing moments along the way.

“I think my character is to give everything I have, every day,” Ward said.

“Obviously, playing against those guys, you have to give your best, whether in training or in games.

“There certainly have been times where I've sat back and had to watch them happen.”

Unfortunately for Ward and Palace, the Eagles have had a poor start to the campaign in complete contrast to when they won six of their last seven games last season.

Glasner's team is in 18th place with three points and is one of four teams yet to achieve a victory.

They will look to end their winless streak on Monday when they travel to Nottingham Forest.