But its defenders who win you championships. A sound defense is the key to any side that has even the slightest desire to mount a serious title challenge. Ask any Arsenal fan how many titles they have won in recent years and I can assure you the question will not be greeted well.
I have always been attracted by defenders. For me the greatest players have always been defenders, whether it is Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta for Milan, Fabio Cannavaro for Italy during the World Cup in 2006 or Nemanja Vidić for Manchester United. Defenders put their bodies on the line to protect their goals without ever taking the spotlight from their teammates playing up front. They are the unsung heroes of the game.
We are counting down the 10 best defenders plying their trade in Europe at the moment and if it is true that defenses win trophies then these may well be the most valuable players in the world right now.
10. Jordi Alba
The young Spanish fullback is a product of the famous Barcelona youth academy, where he finally made his senior team debut for Valencia. He originally trained to be a left midfielder, but due to injuries was forced to play left back. This turned out to be a good move and he has flourished, he is also a good attacking threat and frequently interchanged positions with Jérémy Mathieu down the left flank to form a dynamic duo. He had a solid Euro campaign and capped off his good performance with a goal in the final. He was one of the most talked of players at the Euro’s, which earned him a move to the Camp Nou, where he will fill a troubled position for Barcelona. I think we will hear a lot more about this Spaniard in the years to come.
9. Vincent Kompany
The Manchester City skipper, was an inspiration at the back and led his club to the English Title on the back of some extraordinary performances. It was no surprise that the imposing City defender was named the Premier League Player of the Season for 2012. He is certainly the best center back in the Premier League and one of the best in Europe on current form. Standing at an impressive 6 ft 4 in, he is a hard tackler and a good reader of the game, and is an aerial threat going forward scoring a number of goals, and most famously against their city rivals Manchester United in the title decider. He is good on the ball and at just 26 years of age, we can expect him to lead the Citizens to many more titles.
8. Fábio Coentrão
Not a lot was known about the Portuguese left back till Real Madrid acquired him for a modest €30 million. However, by then he had already established himself in the national team and a lot was expected of him ahead of his move to the Bernabéu. His first season with Madrid was not the greatest, but he was often played out of position and seldom got a start in his prefered position of left back. But it was at the Euro’s that he grabbed everyone’s attention with his mazy runs forward, tireless tracking back and some excellent tackling. He played every minute in Portugal’s run to the semifinals, when they were eliminated on penalties by Spain after a 0-0 draw. Real Madrid have definitely found their left back for next season.
7. Giorgio Chiellini
Italy is the origin of the Catenaccio system of football, it is only fitting that we should have the Italian defender on this, surprisingly he is the only Italian on the list. For a country known for its defenders, Italy is shockingly bereft of quality at the back at the moment. Fortunately, Chiellini is not one of them. The no nonsense defender, is a hard tackler and an aerial threat on set pieces while going forward. He has been a constant presence in the Italian and Juventus back four for sometime now and will probably be for sometime to come. At the age of 27 he still has many years in him and, if he is blessed with the same longevity as most Italian defenders seem to be (think one Paolo Maldini), there are a lot of strikers who need to watch out for those cold, staring eyes.
6. Pepe
Pepe arrived at Madrid in 2007 as one of the best center backs in portugal and has done no harm to his reputation while at Madrid, in fact he has established himself as one of the best defenders in Europe. He forms an integral part of this Madrid squad under José Mourinho and along with fellow center back Sergio Ramos (featured further up the list) and his compatriot Fábio Coentrão, he forms one of the toughest defences in La Liga and Europe. There is no doubt that Pepe is an excellent defender, but his temperament and sportsmanship abilities are often questioned, these concerns although quite understandable, have been greatly exaggerated due to his performances against Barcelona and some excellent acting by Pedro, Busquets and Dani Alves. He won the La Liga this season and also had an excellent Euro 2012. He is definitely one who will be moving up this list soon.
5. Gerard Piqué
Another product of the famous La Masia, Gerard Piqué move to Old Trafford due to a lack of first team opportunities, but returned to Barcelona in 2008. Since then he has been a regular starter for Barcelona and is touted to be a future captain. Good on the ball, excellent in tackle as well as possessing a long passing range, Gerard Piqué is an excellent technical defender. He has formed a formidable partnership with Spain and Barcelona teammate Carles Puyol and now that age is catching up with his defensive partner, Piqué has started to forge an equally impressive pairing with Sergio Ramos for Spain. The pair had an excellent Euro 2012, in which they conceded just a single goal and created a new record by not conceding for a record 509 minutes.
4. Mats Hummels
Mats Hummels started his career with Bayern Munich, but was shipped off to Dortmund. How they must be kicking themselves right now, given their recent defensive woes. Hummels has flourished at Dortmund and is one of the most exciting defensive prospects in world right now. Hummels is a throwback to the old days, playing as a sweeper, he is an outstanding defender possessing excellent technique. He is an excellent tackler, good on the ball, and possesses a pace to catch up to opponents and strip them of the ball. He is known for his positioning, frustrating opponents with well-timed interceptions. His style of play has earned him comparisons to the great Franz Beckenbauer. He has lived up to these expectations by playing an integral part in Germany’s run to the semifinals in Euro 2012 and winning the league-cup double in Germany. Still just 23, he is one player who will definitely be on this list for a long time to come.
3. Philipp Lahm
Philipp Lahm is perhaps the best full back the world has ever seen. He can play on either flank. He is quick, an excellent dribbler, and a precise tackler. He is well known for his lung bursting runs, and possesses a thunderous shot and a good passing range. The only attribute missing from his play is an imposing physique but he more than makes it up with his excellent technique and reading of the game. He is a one-club man, having started his career at Bayern Munich, he’s currently the club captain as well as the captain of the German National Team. He debuted for Germany in Euro 2004 and has been a regular in the national team ever since. Still only 28, there is still a lot to be seen from the “Magic Dwarf”.
2. Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos has already been named twice in this list so it is no surprise that we find him so high up on this list. The Spanish defender has always been a crowd favorite due to his passion on the pitch, playing for both Madrid as well as Spain. Sergio Ramos was trained to be a central defender, but initially during his time at Madrid he was forced to play as right back. It is no doubt a testament to his talent that he has flourished in both roles at Real Madrid. He has lightning fast pace and formidable ball skills. He displays an attacking prowess unseen in defenders, he is good in the air, and has an equally thunderous shot. He has now switched back to the center of the defense for both Madrid and Spain and has forged an unbelievable partnership with both Pepe and Piqué. If he keeps on delivering like he has so far in his career, he may well be topping the list soon.
1. Thiago Silva
And finally it is time for the top of the lot - Thiago Silva! Milan bought the young Brazilian defender from Fluminense in 2008 and then under the tutelage of Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta, he has developed into perhaps the finest defender in the world. Along with Alessandro Nesta, Silva formed the defensive rock on which Milan’s team was formed. He is quick on the ball, uncompromising in his challenges, and an excellent athlete. He recently moved to PSG (run by the traitor Leonardo, who seems hell bent on destroying Milan) for a sum of €42 million an amount, which is in no way unjustified for perhaps Milan’s best player for the past couple of seasons. His quality is evident when you consider the fact that Milan was the only team that could stop Lionel Messi from scoring last year and if it wasn’t for some very dubious refereeing (how many times has this happened against Barcelona), Milan could well have reached the semifinals of the Champions League. Thiago Silva is definitely the player to look out for at the World Cup in 2014.
No comments:
Post a Comment