Nesta or Ferdinand?

Cal?

CR7 fan
Joined
Mar 18, 2002
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We are continually linked with both and I really do not believe we are going to sign both. Who would you prefer and why?

Personally, I'd go for Nesta, as shown by the Azzuri's (non-)performances in the World Cup, Nesta holds that defence together and he's played at the highest level for 4-5 years now, look set to be named captain of Italy.

On the other hand, Rio has done well in the World Cup, but "form is temporary" so there is no guarantee he won't revert back to his Mr 85min self once the season starts.
 
Rio. Tall, well-built, has European, International and Premiership experience. Can speak English, slightly younger as well. Would definately suit our system imo. Might well turn out to be cheaper as well.
 
Originally posted by Gazza:
<strong>Rio. Tall, well-built, has European, International and Premiership experience. Can speak English, slightly younger as well. Would definately suit our system imo. Might well turn out to be cheaper as well.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Tall, well-built, has European, International and experience. Can speak English, those can be used to describe Nesta as well...
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Nesta is only fluent in Italian, and I doubt his English is good at all. Granted Nesta is taller than Rio, so height and weight are of an advantage to him, but Ferdinand just seems to have more presence in the box. ;)
 
Originally posted by Gazza:
<strong>.....but Ferdinand just seems to have more presence in the box. ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, OUR box - so hands off!! :mad:

;)
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For now, but I'm sure the lure of joining a team which has a chance of success as opposed to a team having to sell it's best players will prove too much for Rio. ;)
 
Well, actually, I was going to say the same thing about Nesta - he has a bigger presence, guess it's just an opinion... :p

But Nesta definitely adds more to the attack than Rio.
 
If both players have about the same ability, Rio always has the advantage of well adapted to the English league. No matter how much Europe experience Nesta has, there is just no guarantee that he will not fail in England just as Veron, Panucchi, Materazzi, etc., did. So Ferdinand is a much safer target for us.
 
Nesta, definitely Nesta. Far more complete than Rio and he's FASTER and technically better. Rio is more of a wall, and sometimes I see him barely catching up with an attacker when he has to run over bigger distances. Nesta is a wall AND has good technique on the ball AND is fast.
Rio is good right now, but we shouldn't exxaggerate things. He's definitely not good enough yet to be mentioned equally with someone like Nesta. Yes Rio played a few good WC games at 23. So??? At around 20 Nesta was already the captain of Lazio (the big Lazio at the time).
 
lets see how rio does against rivaldo and ronaldo, then we will know whether he is utd quality
;) ;)
 
Nesta without a doubt. RHas no equal on the planet eexcept maybe Hyypia. Rio is not half as good. :D
 
Ferdinand would be my first choice - a safer option in my opinion, outstanding already, with so much more to come. But hey Nesta comes a very close second and either would do me sweet!

But i must say i hope the Thuram deal is dead in the water, i think for the sort of money juventus want, its not worth while deal, their talking around the £20mill mark for a 30yr old! I hope not, no offence though, as a person i think the guy is a top bloke (all the work he does for fifa, i.e working with underprivileged kids in the third world all that!)
 
Originally posted by kemo:
<strong>Nesta without a doubt. RHas no equal on the planet eexcept maybe Hyypia. Rio is not half as good. :D </strong><hr></blockquote> <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />

What, so Rio will only win half as many headers as Nesta? Only half as many tackles as Hyypia? Score half as many goals?

Kinell.
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Nesta - Veron swap
Ferdinand - 30m
Ronaldo - 30m

Will the Plc finance those deals... it looks like we can beat Real to the "dream team" title if Sir Alex pulls it off...

Barthez
G Neville, Nesta, Ferdinand, Silvestre
Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Giggs
Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy

Let me dream... :cool: :cool:
 
Ferdinand...few years younger, but mainly because he can speak English and doesn't need pasta or the sun. Proven in the premiership, he is quite consistent and has a presence in the box like Jaap Stam.
 
A no brainer. Ferdinand - he's English, proven in the Prem and would'nt have to move very far. Please ask a more diffuclt question next time. ;)
 
Originally posted by Raoul:
<strong>A no brainer. Ferdinand - he's English, proven in the Prem and would'nt have to move very far. Please ask a more diffuclt question next time. ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>


About baseball?
;)
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Originally posted by Raoul:
<strong>A no brainer. Ferdinand - he's English, proven in the Prem and would'nt have to move very far. Please ask a more diffuclt question next time. ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

and we don't know if he'll ever be as good as Nesta, who is, without doubt, the best defender in the World right now.

Also, Nesta will probably mean that we flock a few more shirts to the female fan base, that would keep the Plc happy.
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Originally posted by Cal:
<strong>

and we don't know if he'll ever be as good as Nesta, who is, without doubt, the best defender in the World right now.

Also, Nesta will probably mean that we flock a few more shirts to the female fan base, that would keep the Plc happy.</strong><hr></blockquote>


As well as Veron.

But now you've really got me confused, I don't know if I'd rather have Nesta or Ferdinand... Hope Fergie makes the right decision
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Come on folks, Nesta is the best defender in Italy, if not the world, so, he will stay in Italy because a) he's Italian, b) they treat him like a God there and c) Italian clubs pay the most ridiculously high salaries.

If he goes anywhere outside Italy, I can only see it being Madrid.

To sum up - Rio.
 
Originally posted by bananaman:
<strong>lets see how rio does against rivaldo and ronaldo, then we will know whether he is utd quality
;) ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

Stam was torn apart by Rivaldo at the Nou Camp back in the Treble-winning year, doesn't mean anything. ;) TTR, the word is Real are close to signing Lucio, so let's see how that pans out.
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Nesta - Veron swap sell p nevile 6m
d yorke 6m
n butt 15m

Ferdinand - 30m
Ronaldo - 30m
Duff-20m

Barthez
G Neville, Nesta, Ferdinand, Silvestre
Beckham, Keane, Scholes, duff
Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy

the reason id sell butt is that he wont be happy on the bench next year and after the world cup he's had wed get 15m
 
Sorry Finto - Butt will never leave us, we would be absolutely mad to let him go, he is the ready made replacement for when roy retires. He's a manchester boy through and through and he will be at old trafford for all of his career, just like giggsy, scholes and the nevilles (well maybe not phil)

Plus given his amazing performances at the world cup SAF would never let him leave!!!! And to right to!
 
Originally posted by Cal:
<strong>

and we don't know if he'll ever be as good as Nesta, who is, without doubt, the best defender in the World right now.

Also, Nesta will probably mean that we flock a few more shirts to the female fan base, that would keep the Plc happy.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Let's dispell the myth that Nesta is the best defender in the world right now. It just isn't true. He may be on paper, but not on the pitch. Italy played very well without him and Cannavaro the other day. Those two are riding on the fumes of the distant past. They're both very good players, but they're not the end all - be all that some would make them out to be. I'd prefer Rio over Nesta or Cannavaro in a heartbeat. There is no substitute for being English, speaking the language fluently, being adapted the culture of the country you're living in, and being adapted to the league you're playing in. Rio by a country mile.
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Raoul, on what are you basing your theory that Nesta is NOT the best defender in the world? On occasional results such as AS Roma 5 Lazio 1 (or was it Lazio 0), or on actual examination of his Lazio career and having seen most of his performances in the Serie A?
I'd have to admit though, I myself have not seen Nesta in that many games, so I couldn't possible give a conclusive opinion, but from what I've seen, he's one of the most complete defenders I've ever seen. I mean the basic abilities: speed, positional sense, height, and he's got skills on the ball too. Only thing I've not paid too much attention too yet is whether he's good in the air.
 
Originally posted by Kevin:
<strong>Raoul, on what are you basing your theory that Nesta is NOT the best defender in the world? On occasional results such as AS Roma 5 Lazio 1 (or was it Lazio 0), or on actual examination of his Lazio career and having seen most of his performances in the Serie A?
I'd have to admit though, I myself have not seen Nesta in that many games, so I couldn't possible give a conclusive opinion, but from what I've seen, he's one of the most complete defenders I've ever seen. I mean the basic abilities: speed, positional sense, height, and he's got skills on the ball too. Only thing I've not paid too much attention too yet is whether he's good in the air.</strong><hr></blockquote>

A more accurate starting point should be: What evidence can you provide me that he is far and away THE best defender in the world. The correct answer is that there is no such evidnce. He's a good player, among other good players who has somehow built up a reputation over the past 4-5 years. Reputations tend to snowball with media hype. Meanwhile his one the pitch skills are just as good as quite a few other quality Serie-A defenders. That doesn't make him the best, just among the best. Secondly, what he's done over the course of a career is irrelevant to this discussion since its over a long period of time, and doesn't address his level of football over the last 12-18 months, which is what we're interested in.
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We should see the Nesta situation become clearer on Friday - according to <a href="http://www.channel4.com" target="_blank">www.channel4.com</a>
Their football italia website says that's the deadline for his proposed move to Juve - though they don't mention any connection with United - even though Fergie previously declared his interest...
 
Are you sure Rio is the finished article? Rio may come here and have a similar experience to Brown, but with a £26m price tag on his head.

Go and watch some replays of Man Utds last few games and you'll see that gem of a CB Wes Brown and he will look like the best in the world. But its abit premature to go around labelling a youngster the worlds best after a few games. Most in form in the world perhaps. bBoth are class acts, but not quite best in the world materials, you'll need another season at least.

As for Nesta, he is no Jaap Stam. Nesta is a human, Stam was the titanic. Pre-injury Stam never once got beaten the way Nesta gets beaten by the likes of Heskey etc. Everyone speaks of Nesta as if he will come in and do what Stam did for us, no chance. Nesta will come in and do for us little more than what Blanc has done. Both are great players, but if you think they can come in and save us single handed like Stam did, not gonna happen unless we find the new Hyppia/Stam.

Liverpool is the standard. I reckon Nesta will come here and just slip into his slot resigning us to 4 shirts at the back rather than a well-oiled defence mechanism. To get close to Hyppia/Henchoz we're gonna have to mould and cultivate a partnership or find ourselves the next one-man defence. Rio and Brown should be that partnership, plenty of room for growth- the next one man defence is probably somewhere in Scandinavia.
 
Raoul your explenation doesn't convince me sorry. I can't say that I have enough knowledge of Nesta to determine whether he is the best, but from what I've read of your post, you haven't watch sufficient games of Nesta to determine that he is like you say "He's a good player, among other good players who has somehow built up a reputation over the past 4-5 years." either. There are "good players among good players" and there are the Ronaldos and the van Basten's among the "good strikers". Whether Nesta is just a good defender or a really GREAT defender, I can't determine, maybe you can if you've seen him play enough - then I will give value to your opinion... but if you haven't then the logical thing to do is to say that you're speculating and not sure.
 
Nesta is the only other one man defence existing anywhere in the Universe apart from Hyypia and Tudor. When he was taken off due to injury when the Italians played Croatia their defence fell apart. So what we all thought was the best defence was all down to Nesta. Once he left they looked like shit hence their world cup exit.

In truth, their is no way Stam is in Nesta's class . He is not as good an organiser, or as good on the ground and he does not read the game in as good a fashion. On Blanc reads the game better and he would be Nesta's partner. Also, his speed is very good to. Rio for me is getting their but he is still far frm a finsihed article. Nesta is at 26. And he will be at his peak for at least the next 10 years. He is a must buy! Only if he reufuses to leave Italy should we not try to bring him this way. Remebr Veron was his best mate at Lazio! ;)
 
Originally posted by Raoul:
<strong>
Let's dispell the myth that Nesta is the best defender in the world right now. It just isn't true. He may be on paper, but not on the pitch.... ...I'd prefer Rio over Nesta or Cannavaro in a heartbeat. There is no substitute for being English, speaking the language fluently, being adapted the culture of the country you're living in, and being adapted to the league you're playing in. Rio by a country mile.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Italy, despite their shocking exit from the World Cup, did show that they DO defend well. In fact, the only goal Italy conceeded when he's on the pitch is that rather freakish Mexican header, and their defence fell apart when Nesta went off against Croatia.
You don't get to accumulate so many caps for Italy being a bad defender. He's the best defender in Italy since Maldini and trust me, I've lived in Italy for a while and that Italians think that Nesta will go onto level of Maldini and Baresi. There is no bigger praise than that for a defender.
Personally, I'd prefer Nesta over Rio, Hyypia, Tudor, etc.
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Nesta has regularily said he wants to stay in Rome, so moving to another italian city would be a push, never mind another culture entirely.

Nesta at his best has the edge over Rio IMO, and has been performing at the top for years now, But can you just take than ability and transfer it to a new team and culture- I'd expect you'd lose something, just look how Nesta's form has been affected this season under speculation he would be sold.

Not saying Ferdinand is already a 'great', but he is showing quality for the big event, which is the real test, and with more 'big game experience' he'll get more confident and influencial.

Nesta is the more accomplished player, but Ferdinand would deliver more for Utd.
 
Cal and Kevin,

I never said he was a bad defender, but he certainly isn't the best defender in the world. And if you think that our current situation with Veron is a nightmare, then just wait until Nesta comes (pray he doesn't). It will be a disasterous nightmare from start to finish. I'd rather buy two quality defenders like Van Buyten & Mexes than take an enourmous gamble on Nesta. He's Italian, Lazio through and through and would not adapt well to the physical play in the Premiership imo.
 
Originally posted by ShAoLiN_ChRoNiC:
<strong>Pre-injury Stam never once got beaten the way Nesta gets beaten by the likes of Heskey etc.</strong><hr></blockquote>I agree in principle to what you're saying, but how many times has Nesta been beaten by Heskey in the past ?
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Raoul, the story is van Buyten's agent claimed a month or so ago that a big European club had agreed a deal with Marseille and had more or less concluded the deal, but they haven't announced the deal yet, and it could be Juve or us according to RedNews.
On the subject of Rio v Nesta, Rio just looks more of a United player to me. I doubt Nesta will ever leave Rome, and especially not to the Premiership. Plus, Nesta would cost about 10m more than Rio, which I don't think is worth it. I don't buy in to those who make the Italy - Croatia game as an example of Sandro's importance to the side. He was hardly a tower of defensive class when he was on, and the fact that Croatia hit Italy with two goals after he was replaced was a mere coincidence. Canna played better that day imo. Rio and Mexes would defo suit me. :cool: Though Mexes ain't going nowhere for now, atleast not till his price has been raised sufficiently after CL experience. <img src="graemlins/annoyed.gif" border="0" alt="[Annoyed]" /> ;)
 
I'd chose Rio over Nesta any day of the week (and twice on Sunday).

Nesta might well be the better footballer but I believe Rio would do more for Manchester United. It will also always be easier for a defender in the more defensive-minded Serie A.
 
Ferdinand's nationality and association with the English United players can not be underestimated imo. Rio seems to have a good working relationship with Becks, Butt, Scholes etc. and whereas Nesta would probably just hang around Seba for the first few months, Rio would offer so much more for team morale, get involved with banter etc. Those hoping for Nesta can kid yourselves all you want, but the fact is Rio is the way to go.
 
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