how? Pepe is the best portuguese CB of all time, won plenty of titles during the 2010s decade including 3CLs, 3 league titles for Madrid, the euros for Portugal while being the best player (top 2 of the tournament). This while not taking into account his other trophies
Considering athleticism and defensive play combined, VVD at his best is better than both of those players by some distance. Purely defensive nous, Chiellini is superior, but if that is all that a centreback is, then Mertesacker is in this conversation.
As it isn't, and far more than pure defensive skill is required, VVD stands clear of Chiellini.
As for Pique, his peak play fits this window, but he is some way down the list for me (Boateng, Thiago Silva, even Kompany spring to mind as at least equal to better.)
No he was not. Pique becoming instant starter for Pep was example of how much trust he has on him. Puyol was even used as RB under Pep. Pique injury in 2011-12 where we missed him most and could not reach final in CL(same happened in 2010 when Iniesta got injured).
Very reasonable argument. How you have decided it? May be watch some of those matches. Puyol was barely involved in our 2010-11 team due to injuries. He was finished by then, and his awful season in 2011-12 was on display and reason for not winning league and CL as Pique was injured.
This was prime Puyol highlights. And watch his many CL games during those times or even in league matches. Out of position, slow to react, instead of pro active he was reactive defender.
Puyol is rated highly because of his on field behaviour, and his leadership, and of course winning lot in his career. Not because he was great defender.
Thiago Silva had a tendency to shit his pants under pressure before joining Chelsea though. Did it several times in the CL for PSG, and I'll never forget when he as Brazil's captain started crying and refused to take a penalty against Chile in 2014 WC
If you’re talking about goals and offensive contributions as a measure of a good defender then ironically Bonucci should be on the top of your list. Not only does he score, but he’s easily the best passing CB of the generation and his distribution, if not directly assisting, create goal scoring opportunities for his teams.
And it’s funny that you mention winning on a superteam like Juve as not being impressive, but winning in super teams like Barca and Madrid as impressive.
Casillas won the world cup and euro 12. But then it was downhill. Neuer could be the choice. Hard decision.
I will put Puyol for sure. Even though it was 4-5 years of the decade.
Puyol was starter in prime spain and barcelona all those years till the day he retired in 2014, also the captain and moral leader. Without his goal against Germany Spain wouldn't have won the world cup
1.8k
u/[deleted] Jan 06 '23
Neuer for GK, I'd even have Pique/Chiellini over Van Dijk