iSport World Cup Squad : Top Six Defenders

Defenders these days are as important as the frontline of the team. There will be a host of top class players in South Africa this year and iSporter Pulasta Dhar carves out the top 6 rocks at the back…

defenders collage

In this article, I have included both the centre and full backs. As we know, there are many and it was a tough task to pick out six of the most dangerous attacking full backs and rock solid defenders. Many might defer, but below is my list of the top 6 behind the half line:

Lucio

Team: Brazil

Attributes: Strength, Aerial prowess, No nonsense clearances

Lucio is one of the main reasons Inter Milan could go as far as the final in the Champions League and win it. Lucio, a player bought from Bayern Munich proved to his coach that it was not the right decision to let him go through some world class defending.

I admit he did not have to take care of the likes of Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez in the final but had only the short Olic to beat, but look at the way he played against Barcelona, standing like a wall in front of every attack.

For Brazil’s unproven attack to click, Lucio will have to play as good as he does under Mourinho.

Walter Samuel

Team: Argentina

Attributes: Strength, Resilience, Blocking shots

Walter Samuel, Lucio’s centre back partner at Inter Milan is ironically a player from Argentina, cut-throat rivals of Brazil. His career has been dramatic, turning out for Roma and making a name for himself as one of the best defenders around. Real Madrid pounced at an opportunity to buy him and seeing the way the biggest club in the world works, he thought he would be better off at Inter Milan. Under Mourinho, he has simply flourished.

Nemanja Vidic

Team: Serbia

Attributes: Strength, Blocking and Intelligent Interceptions

I was confused between John Terry and Nemanja Vidic. Although Terry is world class, his recent performances have come under some scrutiny and I personally think he can be replaced by Ledley King.

Nemanja Vidic on the other hand is highly important for his team and this made me pick him ahead of Terry. Vidic has also not been in super form but his interceptions and ability to stop attacking moves makes him one to watch. Also, he will get forward in set-pieces and I envisage a goal in this tournament for him.

GERARD PIQUE

Team: Spain

Attributes: Takes advantage of his tall frame, Gets Forward, Good footwork

I could have easily named Carles Puyol in his place, but Gerard Pique is the current top young-gun in the highly talented Spanish team. His prominence came when he put in some good performances for Manchester United in the Premier League, albeit in only a few appearances. He returned to his child-hood club Barcelona because he felt threatened by the prominence of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. From then onwards, under Pep Guardiola the youngster has found his place and of course under the mentorship of the long withstanding captain Carles Puyol, he has learned all the tricks of the trade. His brilliant footwork and goalscoring ability were on show in the semi-final of the Champions League against Inter Milan and he can be put right ahead to assist attackers in desperate situations.

PHILLIP LAHM

Team: Germany

Attributes: Gets Forward, plays on either flank, long shots

Phillip Lahm has since a long time been one of the best full backs in the world. He can play on either side of the back line and when forward, his crosses are pin point. He has trickery and gels well with the winger, allowing the winger to cut in. Also, the lad can shoot from outside the box with some pretty dangerous results and the captain’s armband this year will make this tournament the biggest occasion of his life.

PATRICE EVRA

Team: France

Attributes: Rises high to head ball, Amazing acceleration, Low crossing

He has been the main man for Man Utd. He has a spring like body, agile and fast. He was one player that United could not replace and thankfully he doesn’t get injured at all! Patrice Evra is going to go forward every time he has the opportunity to and his pace and trickery will allow some hard low crosses for Henry or Anelka to tap in. With Henry’s position in the team still in jeopardy, he will most likely lead the side.

No disrespect to John Terry, Maicon, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Gerogio Chiellini and other world class defenders. I have not forgotten about any of them and carefully made my list according to how important they are as individuals to their team.