16 May 2016 05:07:16
This one is aimed at Ed001 if he is about and anyone else with an opinion. Ed, you often talk about there being a dearth of full-backs world wide and about being apprehensive about his moving for one if they will be no improvement - I also worry about this! But I have little knowledge of world football beyond the football manager/ fifa world. I wanted to know in the past 20 years who are some of the full backs you have really rated and why? I was always blown away by Roberto Carlos and Lillian Thuram - how about you?

{Ed001's Note - for me the standout has to be Javier Zanetti. He could play anywhere on the pitch and look like a natural there. He was so technically gifted and intelligent (in footballing terms) that he could adapt to the demands of the position, and also the changing needs of the game. If the game required him to be an out and defensive full back, then he was one. If he was needed to get forward he could be a wing back up there with the best of them.}


1.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 05:46:20
In my opinion, it has to be Philip Lahm. Could play both sides equally comfortably and rarely looked flustered. I suppose him and Zanetti would be in my World XI at the Fullback position.


2.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 05:59:15
I always admired cafu for his work rate.


3.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 06:43:35
Look no further than Paul Konchelsy.


4.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 06:54:04
Paolo Maldini.


5.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 08:01:44
Ashley Cole. The only one of England's so called 'Golden Generation' that was truly world class.


6.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 08:02:29
Philip Lahm for me. I think he would adapt easier to life in the PL.


7.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 08:09:32
Lahm and Cole at their peak were exceptional players.


8.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 08:11:45
Andreas. Brehme, not Dossena.


9.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 08:52:07
Always thought Carlos was over rated, had a hammer of a left foot but couldn't defend for toffee which is primarily what a left back should at least be able to do

Lillian Thuram was a superb defender, could play across the defence at full back or centre back, good on the ball, good in the air, quick and not scared of tackling. He had no weaknesses.


10.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 08:54:03
I'm torn between Zanetti, Cafu and Lahm.


11.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 09:23:12
I'm torn between Gary and Philip Neville.


12.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 09:48:44
Steve Finnan and John Arnn Riise for me.


13.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 09:49:18
Kvarme. Legendary.


14.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 10:43:49
I'll never forget Stevie Nicol scoring a hat-trick v Newcastle from right back, was only 10 at the time but it's stuck with me.

Always a place for him in my side.


15.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 11:19:50
Has to he zanetti for me. Ever gane if fm i played he was a must sign to cover the whole back of the pitch.


16.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 11:34:30
God I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the champions league winner, the legend that is djimi traore! Reminded me of bambi on stilts! Such a deft touch on the ball!


17.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 11:42:12
Ed, do you think the paucity of decent fullbacks is related to the modern trend for the 'inside-out winger', i. e. left footers on the right and vice versa?

Full backs now have more responsibility to provide attacking width and less defensive responsibility as wide players are funneled away from the flanks into the center. Hence we have a generation which are decent going forward but pretty poor at the back.

{Ed001's Note - yes. I believe that is the main reason.}


18.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 10:19:45
Ashley Cole to me. The best I have seen in my times in the league.


19.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 15:09:29
Paulo Maldini is without a doubt the best I've seen. But there are a few that come extremely close Bixente Lizarazu, Lilian Thuram, Cafu, Dennis Irwin (hate to say it but he was brilliant), Ronald De Boer, Philip Lahm, Javier Zanetti and Ashley Cole.

I can't think of a single full-back in football right now who is better or even close to any of the above, they are all too pre-occupied with bombing forward and contributing goals and assists than doing their main job, which is defending!


20.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 17:15:31
That is a really good and important point you called out there Muscat. The way the game should adapt, I feel, is to expand the deep lying midfielder's duties to cover the attacking full backs.

-Krishna.


21.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 18:05:28
Stevie Nic played right mid for the Newcastle game- I'm old enough to remember it!

Can't remember the RB- Venison perhaps?


22.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 19:11:59
Have to say in premier league era we have signed some brilliant right backs for really good fees. Problem was always we were robbed of some of them.

R. Jones. Paid a really low fee, but Lost to injury.
M. Babble. Again paid a really low fee could have even been a free transfer but, Lost to injury.
A. Arbeloa. We signed on a really low fee but wish he'd stayed longer.
S. Finnan. Exceptional player who gave his all in every game. Just wished we signed him sinner than we did.


23.) 16 May 2016
16 May 2016 20:28:12
It has to be Glen Johnson's alter ego John Glenson. 😂.