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Goal.com Player Of The Decade: Central Defender
Choose the best central defender from the list of 10 below...
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Dec 22, 2009 1:00:00 PM
The Nominees
Roberto Ayala
The Argentinian was an integral part of a successful side built by Hector Cuper and developed by Rafael Benitez. Ayala clinched two Liga titles, a UEFA Cup and was a defeated Champions League finalist in 2001. Ayala, currently at Zaragoza, has won over a century of caps for his country and also picked up a Gold Medal at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
Fabio Cannavaro
Italy's captain guided his side to a 2006 World Cup triumph and was also an essential part of the side that pushed France to the brink of Euro 2000. At club level, Calciopoli dented his claims of two Scudetti wins with Juventus but he did manage to win twice in La Liga with Real Madrid. Canna was also the first defender to receive the FIFA World Player of the Year award, also in 2006.
Ricardo Carvalho
A highly-decorated defender, Carvalho has been among the best imports to the English league since arriving from Porto in 2004. He followed Jose Mourinho from Portugal, having won the UEFA Cup, Champions League and a raft of domestic honours. He's continued the winning ways with Chelsea with two Premier League titles and two FA Cups to his name. Combined with that, Carvalho has won a host of individual honours and played in the Euro 2004 final and World Cup 2006 semi-final with Portugal.
Rio Ferdinand
The world's most expensive defender joined Manchester United from Leeds United for around £30m in 2002. With the Red Devils, Ferdinand has won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and Club World Cup, among other honours. He also forms part of one of the most fearsome defensive partnerships in international football, alongside John Terry.
Sami Hyypia
Finland's captain was a major factor in Liverpool's successes throughout the decade. After signing from Willem II, Hyypia established himself as one of the Premier League's finest stoppers. He led the Anfield side, from the back, to victories in the Champions League and FA Cup, among others. The Reds have found it increasingly difficult to replace the veteran since his move to Bayer Leverkusen, who he has helped to the top of the Bundesliga as undefeated winter champions.
Lucio
The Brazilian was part of 'Neverkusen' - 2002's serial runners-up before moving onto Bayern Munich and reeling off a hat-trick of Bundesliga wins. He was an important factor in his nation's 2002 World Cup win though and has added two Confederations Cups to his international tally. Most recently, he has been plying his trade at Inter.
Alessandro Nesta
Although injury has severely curtailed the contributions of Nesta in recent seasons, there can be no doubt that he is one of the finest defenders of his generations. After leading Lazio to the Scudetto in 2001, he gained a further Italian title at Milan as well as two Champions League trophies. Also, he was a part of Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad and is still featuring at the highest levels for his club.
Carles Puyol
The inspirational leader of his beloved Barcelona, 'Puyi' has led the club to a series of successes this decade that accumulated with this year's six trophy haul. On the international stage he played a huge part in Spain's 2008 European Championships win and ends the decade as one of the game's most iconic captains.
Jaap Stam
Sir Alex Ferguson maintains to this day that it was a rare 'mistake' to sell the Dutchman to Lazio in 2001, from where Stam joined Milan. At San Siro, he formed part of a 'dream team' defensive line that included, at one time or another, Cafu, Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini. Retired since 2007, Stam has been a hard act to follow on the international scene for The Netherlands too.
John Terry
Chelsea's driving force and inspiration throughout the Roman Abramovich era, Terry is a defensive leader of the highest order. The England captain has marshalled the Pensioners to two Premier League titles and was the width of a goalpost from winning the Champions League for his side in 2008.
Back to the Poll page!
Roberto Ayala
The Argentinian was an integral part of a successful side built by Hector Cuper and developed by Rafael Benitez. Ayala clinched two Liga titles, a UEFA Cup and was a defeated Champions League finalist in 2001. Ayala, currently at Zaragoza, has won over a century of caps for his country and also picked up a Gold Medal at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.
Fabio Cannavaro
Italy's captain guided his side to a 2006 World Cup triumph and was also an essential part of the side that pushed France to the brink of Euro 2000. At club level, Calciopoli dented his claims of two Scudetti wins with Juventus but he did manage to win twice in La Liga with Real Madrid. Canna was also the first defender to receive the FIFA World Player of the Year award, also in 2006.
Ricardo Carvalho
A highly-decorated defender, Carvalho has been among the best imports to the English league since arriving from Porto in 2004. He followed Jose Mourinho from Portugal, having won the UEFA Cup, Champions League and a raft of domestic honours. He's continued the winning ways with Chelsea with two Premier League titles and two FA Cups to his name. Combined with that, Carvalho has won a host of individual honours and played in the Euro 2004 final and World Cup 2006 semi-final with Portugal.
Rio Ferdinand
The world's most expensive defender joined Manchester United from Leeds United for around £30m in 2002. With the Red Devils, Ferdinand has won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and Club World Cup, among other honours. He also forms part of one of the most fearsome defensive partnerships in international football, alongside John Terry.
Sami Hyypia
Finland's captain was a major factor in Liverpool's successes throughout the decade. After signing from Willem II, Hyypia established himself as one of the Premier League's finest stoppers. He led the Anfield side, from the back, to victories in the Champions League and FA Cup, among others. The Reds have found it increasingly difficult to replace the veteran since his move to Bayer Leverkusen, who he has helped to the top of the Bundesliga as undefeated winter champions.
Lucio
The Brazilian was part of 'Neverkusen' - 2002's serial runners-up before moving onto Bayern Munich and reeling off a hat-trick of Bundesliga wins. He was an important factor in his nation's 2002 World Cup win though and has added two Confederations Cups to his international tally. Most recently, he has been plying his trade at Inter.
Alessandro Nesta
Although injury has severely curtailed the contributions of Nesta in recent seasons, there can be no doubt that he is one of the finest defenders of his generations. After leading Lazio to the Scudetto in 2001, he gained a further Italian title at Milan as well as two Champions League trophies. Also, he was a part of Italy's 2006 World Cup winning squad and is still featuring at the highest levels for his club.
Carles Puyol
The inspirational leader of his beloved Barcelona, 'Puyi' has led the club to a series of successes this decade that accumulated with this year's six trophy haul. On the international stage he played a huge part in Spain's 2008 European Championships win and ends the decade as one of the game's most iconic captains.
Jaap Stam
Sir Alex Ferguson maintains to this day that it was a rare 'mistake' to sell the Dutchman to Lazio in 2001, from where Stam joined Milan. At San Siro, he formed part of a 'dream team' defensive line that included, at one time or another, Cafu, Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini. Retired since 2007, Stam has been a hard act to follow on the international scene for The Netherlands too.
John Terry
Chelsea's driving force and inspiration throughout the Roman Abramovich era, Terry is a defensive leader of the highest order. The England captain has marshalled the Pensioners to two Premier League titles and was the width of a goalpost from winning the Champions League for his side in 2008.
Back to the Poll page!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
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