World XI of the Year - 2012

[Epic]

Totally forgot to add this in; you guys can vote right here.

 

[War]

True but how many full-backs these days would you call excellent? With the trend for full-backs to provide a lot of width for sides these days, defensive ability is often compromised.

You don't have the solidness these days that you had back at the start of the millennium with the likes of Thuram, Zambrotta, Zanetti, Irwin, Neville, Maldini, Lizarazu, Sagnol etc.

But at the same time, full-backs have a greater responsibility in providing another avenue in an attacking sense, hence a lot of the full-backs these days are converted wingers.

Indeed, which is why the standard of world defending has dropped. Most full backs are roberto carlos in style instead of Neville & the rest you correctly mentioned in style.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

I disagree with those who say Alves isn't solid defensively. When you consider how high up the pitch he is when the ball is lost, it would be impossible for him to be in the right position when the opponents counter. However he has the stamina and work rate to track back constantly and always put in last ditch tackles. He is a complete freak of nature. He can cover an entire flank by himself.

 

[Bevab]

He isn't a bad player. But he's surely not in good form.


The state of defending has truly gone down, when a player like Marcelo declares himself the world's best left-back.

 

[War]

I disagree with those who say Alves isn't solid defensively. When you consider how high up the pitch he is when the ball is lost, it would be impossible for him to be in the right position when the opponents counter. However he has the stamina and work rate to track back constantly and always put in last ditch tackles. He is a complete freak of nature. He can cover an entire flank by himself.

Yes this is a fair point. But i think the criticism of his defensive skills is when he is faced in one vs one battles with competent wingers (the few times it happens to him & many of the games full-backs) & the majority of them always come out second best.

 

[Anish.]

--------------Casillas-------------
Alves----Ramos---Pique----Lahm
-Pirlo----------Xavi--------Iniesta
---Messi ------RVP------Ronaldo