Our top 5 defenders of all time!

The journey into work today highlights the night before. We all love a sliding tackle! Defenders can turn a game around with a crunching last ditch tackle or a goal line block! After last nights amazing defensive display by Champions league heroes Tottenham Hotspur, the first thing on our lips this morning as we entered the office was "who do we feel are the top 5 defenders of all time?" 


We stuck the kettle on and gathered around the table. We all had our own take on what makes a great defender, Modern day greats such as John Terry, Cannavaro, Puyol, Tony Adams, Jaap Stam, Jamie Carragher & Lucas Radebe all got a mention along with past greats such as Ruud Krol, Franco Baresi & Roberto Carlos. After hearing the pro's and con's of each player in question and after a silly amount of tea had been drunk we came to our verdict. 


The it's a football things top 5 defenders of all time.


In @ number 5: Brazil are known for producing fantastic forward thinking players, yet along the way they have also produced some gem's when it comes to defensive players. This player is an inspiration to so many players & people around the world today. Ironically he is best remembered for that amazing goal @ the 1970's world cup against Italy, which many consider (including me) the greatest goal to be scored @ a world cup. Over 50 appearances for Brazil including 8 goals.


 In @ number 5 is Carlos Alberto. 

We carry on the count down and @ number 4 we find a German Legend. This player has played in 5 world cups....Yes 5! and keeps a cool head when it comes to taking penalties *Just ask England fans! Part of the famous German team to lift the World Cup @ Italia 90. His career was decorated with medals! After a Ballon d'Or in 1990 he was Voted Fifa world player of the year in 1991. Domestic success included UFEA Cups & League titles during his time with Inter Milan & Bayern Munich. He also played 150 times for the German national team


In @ number 4 is Lothar Matthaus. 

With no time to spare we go straight in to our top 3! Now these next 3 players are legends in their own rights. @ Number 3 is an Italian superstar! Part of the famous Milan team of the 80's & 90's Playing 25 seasons @ The San Siro, As well as playing 126 times for the Italian national team. Many say he is the greatest number 3 ever and as a mark of respect AC Milan retired his number 3 shirt @ the end of his career. The number will only be used again if one of his sons makes the Milan senior side. During his career with Milan, winning medals was part of everyday life. Trophies included; 7 Serie A titles, 1 Coppa Italia, 5 European trophies, 5 UFEA super cups and a FIFA World club cup. 


In @ number 3 is Paolo Maldini 

2. The second German to make the top 5. Der Kaiser *(The Emperor) a fantastic reader of the game, some say the greatest German international ever. The only person to captain & then go on to manage his national team to World Cup success. Spending most of his career in Germany, most notably @ Bayern Munich. During the late 70's Der Kaiser had a  spell over in The United States @ New York Cosmos. During his domestic career he made over 587 appearances scoring 81 goals, Another player to win his fair share of medals, these included 5 Bundesliga titles (4 @ Munich & 1 @ Hamburg) 4 DFB Trophies, 3 European cups, UFEA cup winners cup, 3 NASL championships & 2 Trans-Atlantic cup championships. 


Internationally he represented Germany on 103 occasions. Winning the 72 European Championship & the 74 world cup. 


His personal achievements include 2 Ballon d'Or awards in 72 & 76, 4 x German footballer of the year awards & an NASL most valuable player award. 


In @ number 2 is Franz Beckenbauer 

So that brings us to our number 1. The player we feel is the best defender to have ever played the beautiful game. An icon to a country, an icon to the game. Pele describes him as the greatest defender he ever played against, and who are we to disagree with the Worlds greatest player! 


This West Ham icon went on to make 646 appearances for the Hammers, winning the FA cup in 64 & the European cup winners cup in 65.  In 1974 he moved to Fulham and went on to make 150 appearances for the London club. 


During a fantastic international career he won 108 Caps for his country, as well as being the only English captain to lift the World cup in 66. Ask any football fan who the greatest number 6 is..... and they will all say the same thing.


So in @ number 1 is the legend that is Bobby Moore. 


"Bobby Moore was the best defender in the history of the game" Franz Beckenbauer