So basically you're going off who is in form. Ok I get it. Didn't realise that was what the thread was getting at.
Who are the top 5 centre-backs in the world?
- Thread starter Fortitude
- Start date
Dias looked pretty average when actually asked to defend this tournament. I don’t think you can really judge Guardiola defenders, they so rarely defend.
A good defender plays in any formation and style. Imagine Klopp is setting up his rock and roll football for the new season. TAA and Robertson have disappeared into the horizon up front. Which two CBs is Klopp going to trust for their pace and experience of winning from these challenging situations?
VvD
Gomez
Maguire
As this is a partisan site, obviously, I'll give you a clue. The first two have wiped the floor in that formation on the way to two CL finals, two 90+ point finishes, one CL trophy and one PL trophy. All deserved, none as passengers.
Maguire needs Wan Bissaka and Shaw next to him at nearly all times or he's fecked against a half decent forward. Ferguson is doing a good job managing this team with the limitations Maguire brings to a formation.
Nope not buying it.
1. Maguire
2. Lindelof
3. Bailly
4. Tuanzebe
5. Phil Jones
PS In all seriousness, people who don't put Marquinhos are insane. He might be the best CB in the world considering VVD is injured.
2. Lindelof
3. Bailly
4. Tuanzebe
5. Phil Jones
PS In all seriousness, people who don't put Marquinhos are insane. He might be the best CB in the world considering VVD is injured.
clearly you don’t watch united at all. Fergie retired years ago
I look forward to Ole's rock and roll football, now you have Sancho, in the new season then. Shaw and Bissaka to park their asses semi permanently just outside of the oppos penalty area. Do it!
Not sure I could come up with 5, there aren't many standouts.
From the PL I would say Maguire, Van Dijk and Dias (although one season isn't enough to earn such plaudits in my opinion) are the current best based on the last few years. Rudiger is also underrated, I feel. I think the stuff about Maguire's pace is well overblown to be honest, hardly ever gets shown up for pace, people just tend to cling onto a few moments.
I wouldn't have De Light anywhere near such a list either, still very much young and learning in my opinion.
From the PL I would say Maguire, Van Dijk and Dias (although one season isn't enough to earn such plaudits in my opinion) are the current best based on the last few years. Rudiger is also underrated, I feel. I think the stuff about Maguire's pace is well overblown to be honest, hardly ever gets shown up for pace, people just tend to cling onto a few moments.
I wouldn't have De Light anywhere near such a list either, still very much young and learning in my opinion.
Well I don't think you're that great.
I'd go with
VVD
Marquinhos
Stones
Romero
Dias
And Maguire is closer to making my list than Varane
VVD
Marquinhos
Stones
Romero
Dias
And Maguire is closer to making my list than Varane
Stones 
This is a hard question because where I agree that consistency should probably be key some of them have shown previous form or reached a peak where you just know that really they are better equipped to be classed as elite.
I don’t think there is any argument over who number 1 spot is.
1-VVD
2-Laporte
3-Varane
Those lot at their best are far and above the others for me but Laporte basically didn’t play the last season, Varane has been average.
4-Diaz, would like to see him do it again but given his performance last season I can’t see how anyone could deny him as one of the top 5 in world football right now.
5- Marquinos
you could make a case for Stones, Maguire, Silva, Rudiger. Don’t watch much Italian football if any so no idea if there are any decent defenders left.
I don’t think there is any argument over who number 1 spot is.
1-VVD
2-Laporte
3-Varane
Those lot at their best are far and above the others for me but Laporte basically didn’t play the last season, Varane has been average.
4-Diaz, would like to see him do it again but given his performance last season I can’t see how anyone could deny him as one of the top 5 in world football right now.
5- Marquinos
you could make a case for Stones, Maguire, Silva, Rudiger. Don’t watch much Italian football if any so no idea if there are any decent defenders left.
Well we all know he first put Smalling there so had to come up with a replacement name before he dared post.Stones
Only on a man utd forum would anyone put maguire in the top 5 in the world. We're having to buy a partner with recovery pace to make up for his weaknesses.
Anyway top CBs, split over 30s and under.
Over 30: Chinelli, Bonucci, Ramos, Hummels, Koubailly, Godin, Thiago Silva
Under 30: VVD, Varane, Dias, Marquinhos, Felipe, de ligt, Lucus Hernandez (lot more than 5 i know)
Anyway top CBs, split over 30s and under.
Over 30: Chinelli, Bonucci, Ramos, Hummels, Koubailly, Godin, Thiago Silva
Under 30: VVD, Varane, Dias, Marquinhos, Felipe, de ligt, Lucus Hernandez (lot more than 5 i know)
He can obviously play there, but it's a waste when you've got a Rolls Royce centre back in there. I expect he'll take over the mantle from the big boys (Ramos, Chiellini, Bonucci).
Sure. I don't think Gomez would be considered a guaranteed starter for England if he was fit. And definitely not if you lot didn't have Van Dijk taking the load off, which he also does for your other crock, Matip. Gomez was hugely rated, but he's had an absolute mare with injuries disrupting his development, so the jury is out. Matip is not even close. Will be interesting to see how Konate does (would definitely have wanted him here, not least at that hideous price).I appreciate all the responses, all civil I may add.
Gomez being a crock has nothing to do with whom is a better defender, Matip is a bigger crock if that is scientifically even possible. However when they play they are proper champions level material (PL / CL take your pick). If Gomez was fit he would have been England's number one choice with Maguire his number two partner. I'm sure even none of you would debate that.
Matip is the most frustrating. He comes closest to VvD for me but is made of wet biscuits.
Konate I just threw in there as I've hardly seen him play but he comes with a huge rep apparently.
Maguire last season was probably the third best defender in the league, behind Stones and Dias. But I'd take him every single day over Stones.
Insanity. Not only a misguided call, but allowing him to strengthen your major rival is crazy. They should have just gave him a few minutes in a game to make the change of country a non issue.
Van Dijk, Silva, Chiellini, Marquinhos. Not sure about the fifth spot, any one from Giminez, Felipe, Ramos, Varane, Laporte, Dias. The old boys aren’t quite at the level they used to be, but they haven’t quite been usurped by the next generation yet.
Stones is nowhere near a top 5 CB in the world. It's laughable to even suggest him.
They're not better than Lindelof, let alone Maguire.
1. Van Dijk
2. Ruben Dias
3. Marquinhos
4. Varane
5. Maguire
2. Ruben Dias
3. Marquinhos
4. Varane
5. Maguire
What a defender Chielini is. I absolutely love him as a player. He just loves defending.
He won't get the credit he deserves in the modern era when being able to defend isn't a prerequisite to being anointed a world class defender. But he's without a doubt, the best defender in the world over the last 10 years.
It would be really fitting if he leads Italy to winning the Euros. I hope he does it.
He won't get the credit he deserves in the modern era when being able to defend isn't a prerequisite to being anointed a world class defender. But he's without a doubt, the best defender in the world over the last 10 years.
It would be really fitting if he leads Italy to winning the Euros. I hope he does it.
I don't think this tournament is accurate to judge how good/poor the player is. Players like Mbappe and Bruno has been poor in this tournament, yet they are arguable the best player in the world in their respective position.
VVD? That guy who conceded 7 vs Aston Villa? He about to get exposed something serious this coming season.
1. Marquinhos
2. Varane
3.Chelini
4.De ligt
5. Thiago Silva
He about to get exposed something serious this coming season.1. Marquinhos
2. Varane
3.Chelini
4.De ligt
5. Thiago Silva
Love these kind of posts, I'll throw out a few names and then ask who I should add as a final choice as I've really no idea kinda thing
VVD has yet to return from a long term injury and hadn't been that great prior to being injured, so personally wouldn't be a contender for top 5 seeing how he's had zero football in 2021. Your last 3 are basically all not anywhere near best 5 in the world and not even best in their own teams.
Lack of Pepe again 
1. Ruben Dias (Man City)
2. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
3. Marquinhos (PSG)
4. Aymeric Laporte (Man City)
5. Harry Maguire (Man United)
will I get shot for naming Maguire ?
2. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
3. Marquinhos (PSG)
4. Aymeric Laporte (Man City)
5. Harry Maguire (Man United)
will I get shot for naming Maguire ?
Van Dijk, Marquinhos and Dias are the best. That Maguire is even mentioned says enough about the level of the others.
Van Dijk, Koulibaly, Chielini, Marquinhos and Varane are my 5.
WUMRudiger
Pepe
VVD
Marquinhos
Chiellini
I cant believe I'm seeing Varane in people's lists. Genuiely shocking in a top 5.
Pepe
VVD
Marquinhos
Chiellini
I cant believe I'm seeing Varane in people's lists. Genuiely shocking in a top 5.
Same goes for Pepe and Rüdiger, to be honest
Stam was a class above maguire and had excellent recovery pace. Biggest weakness of Maguire's game is lack of pace hence we need a Varane next to him to turn on the afterburners when we get in trouble.
Maguire has been an excellent signing. Last season he was outstanding.
Loved Jaap Stam, was gutted Fergie moved him on. Still am haha..He was World Class centre-back.
Imagine a Stam and Maguire partnership? They wouldve complemented each other perfectly.
Dias
Van Dijk
Marquinhos
Chiellini
Bonucci
Van Dijk
Marquinhos
Chiellini
Bonucci
To be fair, even though Rudiger had a very good season, his ratings here won't be helped by him being an absolute shambles at the Euros - comfortably the worst performing defender in German's underperforming defence. Maybe he couldn't see properly out of his mask or something.
Our standards have really gone down the drain.
People saying things about Rudiger, Stones ect. not being close are going a bit over the top.
I think there is a lack of top class centre backs meaning that the best ones other than the top 2 or 3 are all fairly close to each other. Inter have 2 that are in contention, we have 1, Stones is very good, Varane too, aparantly Kimpembe had a very good season, not sure what Koulibaly and Manolas are upto. Really hard question and the answer probably changes every couple of months.
I think there is a lack of top class centre backs meaning that the best ones other than the top 2 or 3 are all fairly close to each other. Inter have 2 that are in contention, we have 1, Stones is very good, Varane too, aparantly Kimpembe had a very good season, not sure what Koulibaly and Manolas are upto. Really hard question and the answer probably changes every couple of months.
Yes I put Pepe in there. Not sure if people actually watch him play. Dias looked like a child next to him this Euros. Not to forget his CL performances for Porto. Varane is too inconsistent for me to be top 5. Top 20 ok...
Pepe did well. But can he do it over an entire season at the very top level?