Top 5 defenders of year 2011!!
By ram_cv
@ram_cv (16513)
India
December 30, 2011 8:31am CST
ESPN list of top 5 defenders for year 2011 is now available. It is a bit controversial for the choices. The list includes: Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Vincent Kompany (Man City), Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan) and Philip Lahm (Bayern Munich).
Of these lot, I am not even aware of Nagatomo and given the fact that Inter has been losing so regularly, not sure if he makes the cut. Also, I think Steven Taylor has emerged as the best of the defenders in England ahead of both Vidic and Kompany, but he is not in this list as well.
What do you guys think of this list?
Cheers!
Ram
PS: For the complete list check out: http://www.espnstar.com/editorial/news/detail/item728056/Top-5-defenders-of-2011/
7 responses
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
30 Dec 11
All this lists are subjective, because it is very hard to follow all the defenders in all leagues of the world and in every single game. All of the players from this list are good defenders, but I think that Terry was better than Kompany or Nagatomo, considering that Nagatomo hasn't played in the first part of 2011.
I think that there is no question about the quality of Vidic, Silva or Lahm, but the other two are not so impressive, at least not in my eyes.
1 person likes this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
30 Dec 11
I was talking about Thiago Silva, not David Silva. And Thiago Silva is a defender.
1 person likes this
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
31 Dec 11
Everyone has their own top 5's. All the defenders mentioned in the ESPN list are good and all I would like to have in my team although I am not that impressed by Kompany. Nagatomo is a bit too early in any list considering he is still new to Europe but he has been performing well for Inter. Steven Taylor is definitely a good defender that Newcastle will find it hard not to lose his service to bigger clubs in the next summer.
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
31 Dec 11
I agree with you that I would like to see Steven Taylor in that list. I do not think he is going anywhere as he seems to be that loyal club player. I think unless some one hangs a carrot like Champions League in front of him, he is not leaving.
Cheers!
Ram
1 person likes this
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
31 Dec 11
I think all the so-called "big clubs" if they are without Champions League football, their "bigness" is in question! :) Having say that, any up and coming ambitious teams with backings from financial moguls like Manchester City 2 seasons ago, in my opinion, is more likely to get players like Steven Taylor. As for the matter of loyalty, to play for a bigger club on a bigger stage is any footballer's dream. He can not be accused of disloyalty if he were to leave for the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester United. Instead, he has to be seen as ambitious and trying to be a better player. He also needs to attain financial security within a relatively short career of a professional footballer. He has a responsibility to make sure his family is going to live in comfort after he leaves active football.
1 person likes this
@omchesunche (1755)
• Indonesia
30 Dec 11
Well, I think this list the worst one compare the other top five list. I am proud Nagatomo included in the list as Asian player but not sure whether he deserved in the list even Inter performance has also not really good this year.Same thing with Vidic, I know he is one of the greatest defenders but his performance not that good in 2011. I think Skrtel is deserved in the list consider his contribution to make Liverpool one of the best defends club this season and he also often score from header.
@jaihobalodiji1 (949)
• India
30 Dec 11
again another list, hey ram you seems to be great lover of the football, teach us to some intresting facts about the football.and surely steven has made his mark into the horizon of football in a lesser time...cheers
1 person likes this
@jaihobalodiji1 (949)
• India
30 Dec 11
thats what i told you before ram that every one has their favourite and they wants to bring them to the top of the table.
1 person likes this
@AshwinSajith (602)
• India
30 Dec 11
well said ram. I totally agree with you that a defender from inter featuring in the top five seems strange as they have been struggling a lot.
I agree with the other choices though with kompany being the player of the year for man city and being so solid defensively. Philip lahm is ever present bombing down the flanks that you sometimes over look his importance and thiago is not bad. As for Vidic came his importance to man united I just need to look at the city game at home . He has been their best defensive player whenever available and has scored some crucial goals too.
As for Taylor to be featured in such a prestigious list I believe he has to move on to a bigger. yes newcastle have been doing very well with him in the side and have one of the best defensive records but only defenders from big teams get recognised. Like Taylor I like shawcross, Huth and a lot of other defenders from the smaller teams
1 person likes this
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
30 Dec 11
Thanks for your views Ashwin. My only point is that Vidic was out a lot of time injured this season. Of course, he has been fantastic when he has been around. Given that, I thought Taylor was more instrumental as a defender for Newcastle for most of the year.
Cheers!
Ram
