Ferdinand OR Nesta? If we are going to pay more than 25 million for Rio, then I think that that money would be better spent on Nesta..
Who'sThe Better Defender?
- Thread starter sebaveron
- Start date
However, who is younger? Who is a bigger risk? Who is potential 'british backbone' which I feel is vital?
Nesta without a doubt, he's 26, the best defender in the World, has done it over and over again against the best strikers; Rio, okay he's a little younger, but his "world class" reputation was built on 5 games.
Nesta without a doubt. At 26 he is at his peak. Has the speed, leadership qualities, manmarking, attacking and calm ability that we need. He is naerly as calm as Blanc in a tight situatuon while Rio does panic from time to time. And on the other hand Rio has the potential to better than Nesta in the near future i.e 3 years from now, that we do not need. We nedd a defender who will make us solid for Fergie's last three years and beyond. In addition, since Rio is a sweeper like Blanc I don't beleive they would compliment each other. Hence I would prefer Nesta.But I still feel he is the better player.We don't need potential we have O'shea and Brown for that. 
In addition. There is nothing over hyped aboutNesta. He is a good as all the pundits say he is . Rio on ther other hand is overhyped. He still has some way to go to be like Nesta or Hyypia. The good thing is he is not that far behind.
Nesta is incrasingly the epitome of Hype, and would easily be the worst big name signing we've ever made. Ferdinand would be a rock for a decade. A year from now this won't even be debatable, since Rio is going to assert himself as a universally regarded world class defender, and it won't just be on paper like Nesta.
I remember watching the Rome derby and Nesta was dreadful, and he didn't impress me much during the world cup, playing in a defensive team.
I prefer Rio, already proven in the premiership and is imprving all the time, I don't think Nesta's going to get much better.
I prefer Rio, already proven in the premiership and is imprving all the time, I don't think Nesta's going to get much better.
id rather gamble 25million on a english based player who's already proven he can do it, than an eyetie who cant speak english and is not guaranteed to be a success. And i would say the PLC would have the same sentiments.
discussion over.
discussion over.
Fully agree with Raoul. Ferdinand can be a defensive backbone for 10 years+. Nesta would be a major risk that could prove excellent and could have us fall on our backsides.
A bit of British backbone please. although It's totally up to Rio now.
A bit of British backbone please. although It's totally up to Rio now.
I tend to agree that Rio would be the better option even if he lacks the glamour of some of the overseas options.
I would hesitate over the price however as the UK press seem to have raised Rio into the loopy transfer bracket on the back of a solid WC performance. £22 - £25M for Rio and Ridsdale takes it or leaves it, otherwise I would take the gamble of a Nesta or similar player in the knowledge that we can shift him for similar if he doesn't fit in.
If Rio were to fail, who would take him off us, and at what sort of devalued fee? Whereas if Nesta (read Veron if you like) were to up sticks and leave you could hope to recoup the bulk of the original fee.
I would always prefer the solid British backbone to the team, but the finances need to make sense also if the deal is to go ahead.
I would hesitate over the price however as the UK press seem to have raised Rio into the loopy transfer bracket on the back of a solid WC performance. £22 - £25M for Rio and Ridsdale takes it or leaves it, otherwise I would take the gamble of a Nesta or similar player in the knowledge that we can shift him for similar if he doesn't fit in.
If Rio were to fail, who would take him off us, and at what sort of devalued fee? Whereas if Nesta (read Veron if you like) were to up sticks and leave you could hope to recoup the bulk of the original fee.
I would always prefer the solid British backbone to the team, but the finances need to make sense also if the deal is to go ahead.
Nesta is the better player IMO. Ferdinand is the wiser choice if we take all the circumstances in account. But I don't think Ferdinand is as great as everyone makes him out to be. Too many ppl have been influenced (even some ppl of whom I didn't expect they would be influenced) by the world cup and the hype of the English media surrounding him during these 2-3 weeks.
Well, to be fair to United and Sir Alex, we have made an enquiry before the world cup. So it isn't as though we watched a few matches on the TV, got into the hype and decided we want him.
Good point Amir.
Ferdinand is without doubt the less risky investement. Nesta has apparently stated that he does not wish to come to England so I think it's a choice between Rio (1st choice), Thuram or Ayala if he doesn't come.
Ferdinand is without doubt the less risky investement. Nesta has apparently stated that he does not wish to come to England so I think it's a choice between Rio (1st choice), Thuram or Ayala if he doesn't come.
God forbid Thuram is signed
We need UNIVERSe class
nesta a better defender right now, rio a better fit for united though.
Nesta's the better defender...however, Rio would suit us more.
Nesta is a very good player, indeed he is world class, but there are numerous faults in his game, that i believe would be exploited in the pace of the premiership. Seemingly those who are staunch nesta supporters seem to lose sights of his faults in the hype over his reputation, marketability and so on.
I believe Rio although not the finished article, will if compared to nesta at the respective peaks, be a better all around player than nesta. I also believe subsequently, that Rio would be a safer option to buy, the whole tried and tested argument that others have mentioned. Indeed he would cost more money, perhaps £5-£10m more, but it would be a safer option, i could see major problems with nesta, especially if he is signed as the sole centre back. If he was playing alongside a Bruce, Hyypia or Ferdiand himself i would have no doubt over sigining him, but as his defensive partner, is likely to be Blanc, i habe my fears.
Don't get me wrong he is world class, but not the player i think we need.
Furthermore I think a partnership of Ferdinand & Thuram would be an outstanding prsopect, Thuram would definately help develop Rio's game as well as providing strong cover in the central position. But i don't think we will sign Rio & Thuram, personally i believe the pecking order of centre back signings is:
1. Rio
2. Nesta
3. Thuram
4. Ayala
I think most of you would agree with that?
I believe Rio although not the finished article, will if compared to nesta at the respective peaks, be a better all around player than nesta. I also believe subsequently, that Rio would be a safer option to buy, the whole tried and tested argument that others have mentioned. Indeed he would cost more money, perhaps £5-£10m more, but it would be a safer option, i could see major problems with nesta, especially if he is signed as the sole centre back. If he was playing alongside a Bruce, Hyypia or Ferdiand himself i would have no doubt over sigining him, but as his defensive partner, is likely to be Blanc, i habe my fears.
Don't get me wrong he is world class, but not the player i think we need.
Furthermore I think a partnership of Ferdinand & Thuram would be an outstanding prsopect, Thuram would definately help develop Rio's game as well as providing strong cover in the central position. But i don't think we will sign Rio & Thuram, personally i believe the pecking order of centre back signings is:
1. Rio
2. Nesta
3. Thuram
4. Ayala
I think most of you would agree with that?
Just wanted to state that I believe that Fabio Cannavaro is better than both Rio and Nesta, but then again he is 29 and they ar 23 & 26 respectively.
If Rio is a no go, I would prefer it if we bought Ayala for 10-12M [and wait a year or two to see the next crop of young cb's]
Then use the money to strengthen the full backs and wings. And possibly a striker.
ie
Rio + 1
or
Ayala
Finnan/Bridge
Duff
Young quick Striker
That said I think we will sign Rio. And rightly so. He's Utd and Englands future.
Then use the money to strengthen the full backs and wings. And possibly a striker.
ie
Rio + 1
or
Ayala
Finnan/Bridge
Duff
Young quick Striker
That said I think we will sign Rio. And rightly so. He's Utd and Englands future.
Overated or not (no he can't play on Saturn), Nesta is class!
Rio is overated too.
I just thought that I would mention that.
Give it 3 years and Brown and O'Shea will be better. And no, I'm not joking.
I just thought that I would mention that.
Give it 3 years and Brown and O'Shea will be better. And no, I'm not joking.
Brown will never be as good as Rio. O'Shea has a ways to develop, and needs to get much faster if he is going to have a chance at being as good as Rio. In three years, we will see how far O'Shea has developed, and then we can say--of course, Rio will develop then as well.
Of course, Rio will not be as good as a Nesta or a Cannavarro, but he is still a whole lot closer than what we currently have.
Of course, Rio will not be as good as a Nesta or a Cannavarro, but he is still a whole lot closer than what we currently have.
If Rio has a better tempremant, better positioning and a greater understanding of the game now, how are Oshea and Wes going to be better than he is?
Rio will only get better if he stays injury free.
Rio will only get better if he stays injury free.
i think Nesta is better than Rio, but Rio is younger and already play in England for many year, it is also good for England as G.Nevilll, P.Neville, Brown, Rio will be the new England defence line.
Its worthy of noting that Rio may or may not be as good as Nesta or Cannavaro. That's completely subjective based on who you ask. Hence when making comparisons, they need to be made with regard to how each player would fare at United.
Rio - Excellent defender, very good in the air, scores goals, tremendous leadership potential, English, proven Premiership player.
Nesta - Excellent defender, good in the air, doesn't score as much, proven leadership, not Enligh, life long Lazio fan and Serie-A player, not proven in the premiership.
Rio stacks up very favourably with Nesta, when you factor in both football AND non-football related variables. The fact that he's English, and has a good Premiership and International record at the age of 23 is also huge.
Rio - Excellent defender, very good in the air, scores goals, tremendous leadership potential, English, proven Premiership player.
Nesta - Excellent defender, good in the air, doesn't score as much, proven leadership, not Enligh, life long Lazio fan and Serie-A player, not proven in the premiership.
Rio stacks up very favourably with Nesta, when you factor in both football AND non-football related variables. The fact that he's English, and has a good Premiership and International record at the age of 23 is also huge.
Exactly
Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>
Rio has only developed faster than Wes because he's had more chances to play first team football. Not because he is more talented.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Excellent post!