29. David Alaba, Tommy Gemmell (10 points)
David Alaba looked like the greatest thing since sliced bread when he broke into the Bayern's first team. Aged only 17, he became the youngest ever debutant for the German powerhouse in the league and, later, in the CL, starting against Fiorentina in 2010. After a 6-month loan at Hoffenfeim he came back and earned a starting place at Bayern, for a team that would reach the CL final in 2012 (he missed it due trough a suspension), and that was when he was named the Austrian Footballer of the Year for the first time (he has 6 of them at the moment). Originally a central midfielder, he was mostly used as a left back, both in a more traditional interpretation of the role (he formed a fantastic understanding with Ribery on that left wing) and as a Guardiola's trademark false fullback. With 8 Bundesliga titles at 27, he'll probably end up as one of the most decorated footballers of all-time, but at the time it doesn't look like he's going to be considered an all-time great, despite his initial appearance.
Tommy Gemmell was one of the Lisbon Lions, immortalised by scoring the equalising goal in the ultimate final as Celtic lifted the European Cup in 1967. He also scored in the 1970 European Cup Final in a defeat to Feyenoord, making him one of only two British footballers to score in two different European Cup Finals*, the other being Phil Neal of Liverpool. Funnily enough, both were defenders. Gemmell also joins an elite club of right-footed left backs that includes Maldini, Facchetti and Nilton Santos; he was equally comfortable on either flank though.
Herald journalist Hugh McDonald said:
The Gemmell all-action reel would feature prominently a kick up the bahookie of Helmut Haller and a goal in the European Cup that came from a shot so thunderous it should have been followed by a shower of rain.
*Bale also joins this elite group, although he did it in a differently named competition.
27. Rafael Gordillo, Víctor Rodríguez Andrade (13 points)
A bit of info on Víctor, you can go & see the whole post if you're interested:
Víctor was José Leandro Andrade's nephew. He idolised his uncle so much he insisted on being referred to using both his parents' surnames, otherwise he would have just been one of a million Rodríguez's. He played as a right halfback just like him, although he was stronger in defensive phases while somewhat less adventurous going forward. His tactical discipline and submission to what the team needed was further demonstrated at the 1950 World Cup when, in the absence of good quality leftbacks and with a fair few good rightbacks around, it was Rodríguez Andrade who was deployed on the left with Juan Carlos González on the right and then Gambetta when he got injured against Spain. With Zizinho starting the final on Gambetta's side and Zizinho-to-Ademir being a proven devastatingly effective route to goal, things looked ominous. So Uruguay surprised Brazil on the day by starting Rodríguez Andrade on the right and Gambetta on the left. Within five minutes though, the entire issue was sorted. The first or second time Zizinho gets the ball Víctor puts in one of those skeleton-busting tackles which are honest but dare you to try what dishonesty could be like. Zizinho didn't want to, and was largely anonymous for most of the game.
Rafael Gordillo was a tremendously attacking left-wingback for Real Madrid and Spain — he had won 5 La Liga titles and reaches the Euros final in 1984 (he represented his nation in five international tournaments!). His quality, commitment and charisma on and off the pitch meant that he was admired by everybody, and his characteristically laid-back look, with his socks rolled down and his peculiar style of running, made him a much loved character among the fans. He overlapped with Camacho during his time in Madrid and they formed a devastating interchangeable duo on the left wing.
26. Marinho Chagas (14 points)
Marinho Chagas was a skilful and innovative right footed left back who was considered at the time one of the top players at his position. He was an attack minded full-back with a powerful shot, and is considered a pioneer, becoming very influential in helping the lateral position evolve into what it is in today's Brazilian football. He is best known for his flowing curly blond hair and his performance at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, in which Brazil finished fourth. That year was the highest point of his career — he got into the World Cup Team of the Tournament and finished 2nd in the South American Footballer of the Year award. At club level he is mostly associated with Botafogo FR of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo FC, but he played for numerous other teams, as well as in the North American Soccer League, in a career which spanned from 1969 to 1987.
25. Kenny Sansom (16 points)
Kenny Sansom is one of the finest full-backs England has ever produced. And at Arsenal, he is held in similarly high regard. Sansom was an accurate passer and devastatingly quick over short distances. But with that pace came great adventure that, in his early years, was occasionally misjudged. Sansom's forays forward set the tone for the modern full-back and, as his tactical nous grew, the Arsenal man became the complete defender. Despite his relatively small stature, Sansom was strong in the air, and he was never one to dive in when the ball was on the deck. The Highbury crowd tagged him 'Kenny White-Shorts' as a result but it was a term of endearment for a man who won their hearts with his timely interceptions. Sansom earned international acclaim - his 86 England caps remains a record for a full-back - plus praise from his peers. For eight consecutive seasons he was named in the PFA Team of the Year at left-back, a record that no-one has come close to emulating.
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