Football: Defender set to join elite

His best years are - or should be - still to come. He can become one of the best. He likes to work hard to improve his game. - WestHam Manager Slaven Bilic on Winston Reid. - Photo / AP

Winston Reid is on track to become one of the best defenders in the English Premier League, according to his club coach Slaven Bilic.

Bilic's words carry some weight. Not only was he an accomplished centre back in his own right, with years in the Premier League and Bundesliga and 44 caps for Croatia, highlighted by their third-place finish at the 1998 World Cup, but he is also a student of the game.

Bilic has been in charge at West Ham since June, and has been impressed with the All Whites captain.

"He's a top defender," Bilic told the Herald on Sunday. "We were so happy when he signed a new contract last year. It was a surprise for people in England because a lot of bigger clubs were after him. But he committed himself to West Ham."

According to Bilic, who guided Croatia to the quarter-finals of the 2008 European Championships and managed Besiktas and Lokomotiv Moscow, Reid has a compelling skill set.

"He is a dominant defender," said Bilic. "Physically, he is good and strong but for that size, he is also very quick. It is rare to find [that combination], someone who is good at tackling, strong, good in the air and also quick. He is also very skilful. He is a really top player [and] has a lot of qualities to be a modern type, top defender."

And Bilic believes the best is yet to come for the 27-year-old Reid. Ryan Nelsen started his Premier League career at that age, while centre backs such as John Terry and Rio Ferdinand played their best football in their late 20s and early 30s.

"His best years are - or should be - still to come," said Bilic. "He can become one of the best. He likes to work hard in trainings and do a lot of individual stuff to improve his game. Like any player, he can improve and I'm sure he is going to."

Reid has worn the arm band at West Ham and is a vice-captain. He's had three managers at West Ham (Avram Grant, Sam Allardyce and Bilic) and his latest wants Reid to develop his leadership role.

"He should become a little more vocal and more of a leader because he has that potential," said Bilic. "Winston has leadership potential by his presence, because he is a good guy. He leaves you no option but to like him, in the dressing room or on the field, but I would like him to be more vocal."

Reid agrees it is an area that can be better.

"I've always had that in my career," says Reid.

"Coaches want me to speak more. It's something I've always had to work on. It's important that when you do say something, it gets across the room. I have to work on it but also need to make sure everyone is tuned in, whether in a game situation or in training."