World's Best Defenders

[AngryOfTuebrook]

Maybe I've just lost touch with international football, but I'd struggle to name the world's greatest defender(s) these days. Not just ones who are quite good, or people who you'd like Liverpool to sign, but the absolute, unbeatable, towering forces of nature who strike terror and despair into the hearts of attackers. In the past, I'd be able to bandy around names like Maldini, Cannavaro, Stam or Hyypia, or even wax lyrical about France's Ligne Magique. Now I'm not so sure.

 

So, help me FF, you're my only hope.

 

Who are the very best defenders currently playing?

[Josef Svejk]

We were once realistically linked with this lad, who has got to be one of the very best these days:

 

[Jairzinho]

Chiellini, Silva, and Hummels are all great centrebacks.

[Fugitive]

Lahm.

[chauncey]

Ashley Williams

[VladimirIlyich]

Ashley Williams

 

Haha!

 

Mind you,you have somebody who agrees with you in a position of power in the club.

[fowler9]

does seem to be a bit of a shortage, the real class ones at the moment are I would say are Pique, Chiellini and Tiago Silva whereas 7-10 years ago you could reel off the likes of Maldini, Nesta, Hyypia, Carragher, Terry, Stam, Puyol, Thuram, Lucio

 

also think there is a major shortage in top class full backs, just Ashley Cole, Alba and Lahm for me at the moment

[AvB]

Jan Vertonghen

[VladimirIlyich]

Jan Vertonghen

 

Not world class for me but still an excellent defender who would improve a club like us and has helped Spurs too.

[AvB]

Not world class for me but still an excellent defender who would improve a club like us and has helped Spurs too.

 

I think he's got it all. This is his first PL season and he will only get better with more experience under his belt. I predict he will become one of the best defenders in the future.

[Megadrive Man]

According to Fifa 13, Thiago Silva & Sergio Ramos are the best in the world at the moment.

[Innova]

Cheillini and hummels are like the best now, and I always felt pepe was one of the best defenders, goes down hard on anyone going past him.

[Trucker Paddy]

Cheillini and hummels are like the best now' date=' and I always felt pepe was one of the best defenders, goes down hard on anyone going past him.[/quote']

 

Hummels has been shit most of this season

[Red Banjo]

Stefan De Vrij. Obviously.

[fowler9]

I think he's got it all. This is his first PL season and he will only get better with more experience under his belt. I predict he will become one of the best defenders in the future.

 

not saying it will turn out the same way but Vermaelen had a very similar first season, Belgium centre back/left back signed by a North London Club from Ajax capable of scoring goals,good on the ball and very solid at the back and its gone a bit down hill for him since, still a decent player like, don't think Verthonghen has done enough yet to be among the top centre halves but he does have the potential

[Trucker Paddy]

Stefan De Vrij. Obviously.

 

According to James Pearce in the echo, Rodgers watched him but doesn't want to follow up his interest.

[Red Banjo]

Neven Subotic, Mats Hummels defensive partner at Dortmund is the better defender of the two in my book. Top class that lad

[Red Banjo]

According to James Pearce in the echo, Rodgers watched him but doesn't want to follow up his interest.

 

Why would he? He is already captain of his club - having amassed over 100 appearances to date, and already has 5 International caps for Holland. At the age of 21.

 

We could spend twice as much on a 29 year old, who only appeared in top flight football for the first time last season, and plays for Wales.

 

Its a no brainer.

[Bjornebye]

According to Fifa 13' date=' Thiago Silva & Sergio Ramos are the best in the world at the moment.[/quote']

 

I think Ramos is a calamity. Very neat on the ball but fuck me, e makes a lot of big mistakes. That young lad real have got though is going to be world class. Can't remember his name and I'm too hungover to look.

 

Chiellini for me is the best right now.

[fowler9]

forgot him earlier but think Kompany deserves a mention too

[Red Banjo]

I think Ramos is a calamity. Very neat on the ball but fuck me, e makes a lot of big mistakes. That young lad real have got though is going to be world class. Can't remember his name and I'm too hungover to look.

 

Chiellini for me is the best right now.

 

Raphael Varane?

[amli]

That young lad real have got though is going to be world class. Can't remember his name and I'm too hungover to look.

 

Raphael Varane?

[AvB]

not saying it will turn out the same way but Vermaelen had a very similar first season, Belgium centre back/left back signed by a North London Club from Ajax capable of scoring goals,good on the ball and very solid at the back and its gone a bit down hill for him since, still a decent player like, don't think Verthonghen has done enough yet to be among the top centre halves but he does have the potential

 

I see why you compare the two, similar in many ways, but Vertonghen is much taller and stronger than Vermaelen is.

 

He also looks more like a leader on the pitch.

 

Vermaelen has been troubled with injuries. May be the reason why his performances went downhill.

[VladimirIlyich]

Cheillini and hummels are like the best now' date=' and I always felt pepe was one of the best defenders, goes down hard on anyone going past him.[/quote']

 

If Hummels plays for Dortmund then hes not very good. Dortmund are poor at the back but fantastic in all other areas.

[Dec]

Can't believe nobody's mentioned David Alaba yet. Bayern LB, he's been absolutely phenomenal this season.

 

On a similar note Bayern's summer signing Dante has been one of the key reasons for their success this term. Fantastic organiser.