"Alan will tell you he is not silly enough to think that it's going to happen overnight," said Ferdinand.
"You can't become a world-class player in that position with a click of the fingers. It's going to take time and work but he's progressing very well.
"He came away with
"Alan's first instincts now are to defend rather than look forward and you need someone like that in your team.
"He is getting older and he knows the responsibility is on his shoulders to keep his head in games. He is doing it admirably."