Who would you say are the FIVE best centrebacks in the world?

[New York Red]

I have to bump this number to five because there are two positions to fill...

[Crazy Horse]

These threads are making me realise how little football I watch these days. I haven't a clue who's good anymore, unless they play for Liverpool - so I'll keep my powder dry until the central midfielders thread...

[Maldini]

There are loads of a similar level who'd be hard to split

 

EDIT - excuse the unintentional pun

Edited January 10, 2007 by Maldini

[nvdm]

Off the top of my head;

 

Terry

Cannavaro

Nesta

Mertesacker

Vidic, probably.

[_00_deathscar]

Ooh now this one's tough.

 

Terry

Carvalho

Gallas

Nesta

Puyol

[Sion]

Carragher

Agger

Hyypia

Paletta

Traore

[Cunny]

Ooh now this one's tough.

 

Terry

Carvalho

Gallas

Nesta

Puyol

 

I think Puyol is someone trading on past reputation - he's been dodgy for a couple of seasons now.

Take him out and put cannavaro in.

[Puskas]

Cannavaro

Nesta

Marquez

Thuram

Ayala

[PhilM]

Cannavaro

Terry

Marquez

Nesta

Gallas

 

As dark horses (no racism intended) I'd put in shouts for Alex and Kolo Toure actually.

[_00_deathscar]

I think Puyol is someone trading on past reputation - he's been dodgy for a couple of seasons now.

Take him out and put cannavaro in.

 

Not seen much of La Liga then? Or Lyon rip the living t***s out of him twice?

 

Oh yea, fantastic call on Marquez by the way.

[Raj]

Terry

Gallas

Nesta

Alex - class shout. really good defender who has excelled in the CL

Cannavaro - although his recent form in La Liga has been worse than s****.

 

Puyol is your archetypal headless chicken masquerading as a centre half. I do not rate him at all

Marquez is a a decent shout.

Thuram is past it. Been awful for Barcelona this year

 

Edit - Carvalho should really be in there. Proper dirty fecker, but always manages to get away with it

Edited January 10, 2007 by roegahnn

[Andy @ Allerton]

Gary Neville

Phil Neville

Silvestre

Brown

Vidic

 

I can't see them shipping another goal for the next 28 years

[Ostrich Man]

Gary Neville

Phil Neville

Silvestre

Brown

Vidic

 

I can't see them shipping another goal for the next 28 years

well hopefully not 6 in one match anyway.

[Bailo]

Gary Neville

Phil Neville

Silvestre

Brown

Vidic

 

I can't see them shipping another goal for the next 28 years

[NWR]

well hopefully not 6 in one match anyway.

 

Your post is actually funnier than Andy`s, so here is a

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Terry

Cannavaro

Gallas

Toure

[Guest Anders Honoré]

It's a really tough call for two reasons. Agger for example, has been immaculate the past year for regardless of the opposition and great going forwards as well, but I think it's too early to make that kind of call with him.

 

Centrebacks are judged on consistency in the longterm moreso than any other position bar the keeper, and I doubt anyone watches european football often enough to keep tabs on player consistency. I reckon most of us just go by the reputation they have built for themselves over time and the performances we have seen them in.

 

secondly there's a large group of top centrebacks with not all that much between them.

 

So in no particular order I'd go for:

 

Nesta

Cannavaro

Gallas

Terry

Carvalho

 

Marquez, Luisao, Alex, Ayala, Tuore, Ferdinand are all with a good shout though. Vidic and Agger will be in there soon enough as well.

 

Imo, Puyol is good, very athletic and plays as valiantly as carragher, but he is too prone to mistakes. As a rightback he was the dog's though.

Edited January 10, 2007 by Anders Honoré

[Hassony]

Cannavaro

Nesta

Ayala

Gallas

Carlvahro

[Gilps]

Bramble

Cygan

Traore

Weir

Boulahrouz

[Flasher]

Cannavaro

Nesta

Ayala

Gallas

Carlvahro

 

 

What he said, though Terry and Puyol are close, and Agger and Vidic will join them.

 

When fully fit, if ever he will be, Woodgate is close too.

[Benzo-13]

Cannavarro

Marquez

Gallas

Ayala

Luisao

[fyds]

Your post is actually funnier than Andy`s, so here is a

Those aren't freckles on your nose, are they?

[Rimbeux]

Cannavaro

Terry

Marquez

Nesta

Gallas

 

As dark horses (no racism intended) I'd put in shouts for Alex and Kolo Toure actually.

 

 

Agree with that maybe Carvalho for Marquez

[Guest Anders Honoré]

interesting that so far no one save Sion has even mentioned carragher.

[Guest zaphod]

Toure

Toure

Toure

Toure

Toure