The complete lack of mentions for Rudiger is surprising to me.
1992 - 2024: 15 Greatest Centrebacks of the PL era? (numerical order please)
- Thread starter Fortitude
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Jamie (@Vault Dweller) get the depressing job of reviewing United's 3-0 loss at Old Trafford to Liverpool. They discuss what went wrong, Casemiro's day to forget, and the pressure now on Erik Ten Hag. They also take some time to give McTominay a proper farewell, and give their overall thoughts on the Summer Transfer Window.
- Rio Ferdinand
- Nemanja Vidic
- John Terry
- Jaap Stam
- Virgil van Dijk
- Vincent Kompany
- Sol Campbell
- Tony Adams
- Gary Pallister
- Steve Bruce
- Sami Hyypia
- Jamie Carragher
- Kolo Toure
- Ricardo Carvalho
- Joleon Lescott
Honorable mentions: Martin Keown, Ledley King and Antonio Rudiger. In a few years we’ll have players like Saliba and (hopefully) Yoro on the list.
Lescott
he doesn't even make the top 30 for me. Stones is already miles ahead of him.1. Virgil Van Dijk
2. Jaap Stam
3. Nathan Ake
4. Micky van de Ven
2. Jaap Stam
3. Nathan Ake
4. Micky van de Ven
Almost impossible because some are 30 years apart - but Rio and JT are the best - and I think most former players agree on that.
So
Rio, JT, Campbell, Stam, VVD, Adams, Kompany, Vidic, Hyypia, Pallister, Bruce, Carvalho, King, Carragher, Hendry
So
Rio, JT, Campbell, Stam, VVD, Adams, Kompany, Vidic, Hyypia, Pallister, Bruce, Carvalho, King, Carragher, Hendry
Mine isn't that far off. I have the same top 8 but in a different order:
1- Vidic
2- Van Dijk/Terry
3- Terry/Van Dijk
4- Stam
5- Campbell
6- Ferdinand/Adams
7- Adams/Ferdinand
8- Company
If Campbell had played for a top side during his prime, I think he'd be remembered as a better defender.
If I am building defence Sol and Stam, then everyone else.
Walker Sol Stam Cole.
Walker Sol Stam Cole.
That defense would hardly concede a goal. Stam had one of the highest peaks (arguably the highest) of any defender in the Premier league era. The only reason he isn't the clearcut number 1 in these lists is because he didn't last long.
Campbell was as good as anyone in that era. I think he was better than even Adams.
A pairing of Sol Campbell and Jaap Stam would be as good as anything we can put up.
What about 15 worst CB's within the same period?
Stam is one of the few players were I was sad for letting him go.
Physical beast who was also talented.
Sol, was specimen too. Had to chance to stand beside him and he was build like a tank. Also good footballer. I still remember meltdown from Spurs fans when he left them for. So bonus for. That too.
Can't beat old school nonsense CB's like that.
People on a United forum putting Kompany ahead of Vidic is like putting Paul Scholes behind Gundogan or something.
I agree on Campbell absolute beast. You could argue he was better than Ferdinand up until 2006. I remember that game he walked off the pitch though for Arsenal, seemed to kinda lose a little around then but even then he was very good for Portsmouth as they overachieved for a few seasons.
I’m glad you have Vidic number 1, someone put him behind Carragher here his placings are a joke.
You’re the first to show McGrath some love. PFA player of the year in the first PL season
1. Vidic
2. Rio and Terry
4. Stam
5. Adams
6. Van Dijk
7. Kompany
8. Keown
9. Carvalho
10. King
11. Campbell
12. Desailly
13. Dias
14. Stones
15. Carragher
2. Rio and Terry
4. Stam
5. Adams
6. Van Dijk
7. Kompany
8. Keown
9. Carvalho
10. King
11. Campbell
12. Desailly
13. Dias
14. Stones
15. Carragher
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Stam won a treble holding fort alongside Henning Berg, David May and Ronny Johnsen. People disrespecting him on lists below the likes of Van Dijk and Terry (let alone some of the other spoofers he's been ranked behind) should be banned. He was a one man colossus at the heart of that defence - most great partnerships marry one style of CB with a contrasting style but Stam gave you all the styles in one, giant, glorious concrete slab of a gleaming bald headed mangod.
Terry played beside a top 10 PL defender in Carvalho, as well as guys like Gallas and Desailly. Despite playing in a side full of mega money superstars, he never led Chelsea to a European Cup and League double, let alone a treble. I think he only even did a league and cup double the once. That's because those things are hard to achieve - a proper treble is close to impossible with the strength of the PL. Just look at the money and cheating City have had to invest to get one.
Van Dijk has never won more than one trophy in a season, despite playing for the universes greatest ever manager in it's greatest ever team (if you listen to Sky Sports and much of the English press). His Liverpool side also finished behind the worst Manchester United side in a generation as often as not during his time there. He's a good defender - a very good one even - but the level to which he is overrated is beyond belief.
And anyone listing Kompany, Adams or bloody Campbell ahead of Stam should simply have their rights to a football opinion revoked.
Terry played beside a top 10 PL defender in Carvalho, as well as guys like Gallas and Desailly. Despite playing in a side full of mega money superstars, he never led Chelsea to a European Cup and League double, let alone a treble. I think he only even did a league and cup double the once. That's because those things are hard to achieve - a proper treble is close to impossible with the strength of the PL. Just look at the money and cheating City have had to invest to get one.
Van Dijk has never won more than one trophy in a season, despite playing for the universes greatest ever manager in it's greatest ever team (if you listen to Sky Sports and much of the English press). His Liverpool side also finished behind the worst Manchester United side in a generation as often as not during his time there. He's a good defender - a very good one even - but the level to which he is overrated is beyond belief.
And anyone listing Kompany, Adams or bloody Campbell ahead of Stam should simply have their rights to a football opinion revoked.
From a Liverpool point of view, Hyppia was an exceptional pure defender and could have easily graced most of the top teams across Europe at the time.
Had injuries not curtailed their careers, I think we'd have seen King and Woodgate high up on these lists.
Had injuries not curtailed their careers, I think we'd have seen King and Woodgate high up on these lists.