Clubs and National teams often are popularized through their strikers and attacking midfielders. Hardly do people notice a quality defender or rather even if they are recognized as great players, they hardly get exposure. Having played mostly as a defender in a variety of positions and having followed world class defenders closely, i decided i should dedicate a spot for a few defenders whom i rate highly of. People talk about Kaka, C.Ronaldo, Messi to name a few as the great attackers in the world. In the past we had Maradona who could run at an entire England team and Pele who has over a 1000 club goals to his credit. But that was back then. Now if you are a Messi, Kaka or a Ronaldo you are special as the competition from defenders that these players face are also tough. There have been a lot of defenders over the years who have been a real impact on the game. I have identified 5 defenders currently in top competition and here is what i think of them with a small video tribute on them too.
Fabio Cannavaro
The now 34 year old Italian captain has by no mean the physical presence of a center back. He is just 1.76M tall, but his speed and anticipation is of the top draw. He still does not lack strength in the air as he has an excellent timing to his jumps. He is dangerous in set pieces in the attacking front as well. Cannavaro has an excellent standing tackle and also has an amazing reverse tackle and hardly is out of sorts with his tackling. He attacks the ball and tries to beat strikers to the ball. With strikers like Henry twice the size as Cannavaro, the Italian plays smart and draws as much fouls as possible on himself. I recently saw the Italy V France match and i was impressed by the way he marked Henry and was a step ahead of him all through the game. 2006 is a year Cannavaro will never forget in his illustrious career. He won the Italian League with Juventus, Captained Italy to the World Cup triumph. He is the first and only defender so far to win the FIFA world player of the year. He was runner up to the Golden ball at the World Cup. He was also winner of the coveted European footballer of the year.
Cannavaro was signed by Real Madrid in the summer of 2006 under the then coach Capello and made some pleasant performances till his 33rd birthday when he made two horrific mistakes against Lyon. Fabio had a better second half of the season last term and won the La Liga in his first year with the champions. This year has been little different though with some quality partners for him in the center of defense. He looks composed and confident in closing down on strikers when he plays alongside taller stronger in the air defenders like Metzelder at Real, or a Nesta or Materrazi in the Italian team. But when the guy wears that Italian jersey and has the captains arm band on he is definitely a Captain in all sense.
Cannavaro needs no introduction but here is a video on why i think he is a good defender.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNsbNyrmzCk
Ashley Cole
In today's football total football is what even the most defensive teams play, where the wing backs are more like additional midfielders due to the importance of being attack minded. We have had the Brazilians Cafu, Roberto Carlos exceed the boundaries of total football. We had Maldini who used to be a wing back before he moved to become a center back. Currently people rate Dani Alves as one of the best wing backs playing the game. For me the best attacking wing back in the last decade has been Roberto Carlos. But i want to stress on the actual concept of defending your flank and providing enough support to your midfield and your strikers. I have picked England LB and now Chelsea player Ashley Cole. Cole is a player whom i share my birthday with- made a 156 appearances with Arsenal when he played 7 years for the Gunners. Tapping issues followed and Chelsea was fined by the Premiership on an illegal approach on the LB. He eventually joined Chelsea and his first season the trip to Old Trafford to face a charged by Ronaldo was a treat to people who enjoy seeing defenders at their best. Time after time Cole kept the high flying winger at bay and choked his attacking play. If you are ready to take on the best and overcome them then you definitely are good. Here is a video with some of the best defending from that game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4djizr5VT8
John Terry
He is a character very similar to Cannavaro who excels when given the responsibilities. Though Chelsea has a very influential Frank Lampard, Captain Fantastic is John Terry. He has been a regular starter with the club from 2000 after coming up through their ranks. Recently also handed the Captain's arm band for the England National team as well. He is a tall, strong defender who just imposes himself on the pitch. He is extremely dangerous in attacking set pieces and has the uncanny ability to rally his team with some crucial headed goals. The Champions League fixture against Barcelona is an example of the same. I would rate a few extra points for his attacking flair and the influence he brings to the teams that he captains. Here is a video of John Terry.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4120563853559794414&q=John+Terry&total=2030&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=9
Carles Puyol
The 29 year old has been an influential captain and player at Barcelona since Luis Enrique left. Puyol was for years one of best right backs in Spain when he started his career at the age of 19. He then moved to the center back role where he has been a regular with Barca and Spain.
The guy is very similar to Cannavaro in his physical stature but in my books has got a lot more consistency in his game. Like Cannavaro Puyol is excellent in the air, though he is short for a Center Back and like a John Terry he marshals the Barca troops excellently. Here is an encore of Puyol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=932BYodF51Y
Alessandro Nesta
Most football journalist consider Nesta as one of the best defenders in the world. The 31 year old Italian world cup winner is in my books the best Center Back in the world. He has the physical attributes that a center back would need, he is strong as an Ox and is 1.87M tall. Excellent standing tackle, pace and excellent in winning balls in the air. During parts of his his time with Milan, they had one of the oldest back fours in the business. Maldini, Cafu, Nesta and Khaladze had a combined age of over 140 but they were the best in their respective positions. Nesta though made his name with Lazio where he made his name playing in the youth team for 8 years and then with the professional team for 9 years. He was captaining the team when Milan wanted to buy Nesta. Lazio valued the Center back at an unheard of 50M Pounds. Eventually Milan got the better of a financial crisis struck Lazio and got the best center back at 30M. He has been playing with Milan giants from 2002. When injuries and retirement from International duty has brought down the so called value of the defender, i want to remind everyone of his quality with a clip from a match at Old Trafford last year against Man U, where the Milan defender rubbed shoulders with youngsters like Ronaldo and Rooney and still shows that he has the legs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jJTvwHgGgA
Here is Nesta against Man U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR-iD0D9qwM
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