30 Sep 2017 16:32:38
Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, dead at 53. Over Barcelona today, the famed reindeer was hit by a flock of seagulls and a 747. Eyewitnesses report, that the reindeer in Spain was hit mainly by the plane.

On to the cenre backs then, we need four this time.

I would pick Diego Godin, Leonardo Bonucci, Jerome Boateng and Thiago Silva.


1.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 16:48:08
Godin, Chiellini, Ramos and Kompany.

I know Ramos gets banned a lot, and Kompany is injury prone, but they are insanely good and who cares when you have Godin and Chiellini as first choice 👀

Considered Hummels, Jiminez, Pique, Bonucci, Barzagli, Boateng, Bailly, Glik, Papasthopoulos, Laporte, Manolas and Silva as well. Lots of choice for this position! I expect this to be far more interesting than any of the debates which have gone before it!

This was a tough choice!


2.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 16:51:35
1. Alderweireld- best cb in PL, toughest league in the world
2. Godin - best cb in world currently
3. Ramos - leader
4. Chiellini - so consistent.


3.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 17:25:08
Good shout on Alderweireld Ninja. I completely forgot about him. I'd probably swap him for Kompany actually purely because he has a better injury record. Kompany is marginally better for me but as you say, Alderweireld does it every week in the best league in the world.

Agree with all 4 of your picks mate. You've swayed me. I revoke my original picks and go with Alderweireld, Godin, Chiellini and Ramos.


4.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 17:45:44
Alderwield, Bonnuci, Boeteng, and Azpiliceuta who can play anywhere!


5.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 17:57:59
Mk, Alderweireld is my favorite cb. I so wish we signed him.


6.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 18:11:37
Alderweireld, Verthongen (partnership), Cheillini and Godin.


7.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 18:11:57
Toby Alderweireld, Diego Godin, Sergio Ramos and Georgia Chiellini for me!


8.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 18:13:21
Choosing CBs is a lot harder than choosing FBs. With CBs, you have to consider them as a unit (either 2 or 3) and you also have to consider what system would the manager want to play. A high line with ball playing CBs or a deeper line with giant CBs who would throw themselves in front of a rocket launcher if needed?

Therefore, I'm not choosing the best individual CBs although they will be some of the best. Taking into account the ways a team could play against an intergalactic team, I've chosen the four that have skillsets which complement each other as best as possible.

My first pick has to be Godin. Best CB in the world, no nonsense and hard as nails. Personally think he's best in a deeper line, and the player who I would pick to play alongside him would be Giorgio Chiellini. A similarly no nonsense CB who also plays best in a deeper line.

My next two picks are a bit more complicated. I've looked at CBs who like to get on the ball and is used to a high line. If Kompany could keep fit, he would definitely be in, but in such a high stakes match, I don't want one of my CBs limping off after twenty minutes. Boateng is a similar case. I wouldn't trust him to be fully fit and so have chosen to exclude him. The third CB I considered for this is Bonucci. I know people like Bonucci (I quite like him too) but he doesn't seem to do well whenever he plays in a more expansive team. Also, he's got a lot of baggage and I don't like to include such players (one of the reasons I did not want Alves as RB) .

Now we get to Alderweireld. He's the best CB in the PL, is comfortable on the ball, and plays a high line with Spurs. No brainer. I was tempted to go with Vertonghen next to him because they already have such a great partnership. However, in the case that Alderweireld doesn't make the match, I wouldn't trust Vertonghen to keep his head. He looks half the player without Alderweireld beside him, and so I decided to go for another player, Mats Hummels. Is there a CB who's better on the ball than Hummels? Perhaps Kompany, Alderweireld, Bonucci and Luiz. But with Kompany and Bonucci out, Alderweireld already one of the four, a choice between Hummels and Luiz is simple. Luiz looks lost and rash when playing in a back four as he does not have the same amount of cover he gets when he plays with two other centrebacks. Hummels, on the other hand, can play in a back three or four. He's played a high line with Dortmund under Klopp and Tuchel, with Germany under Loew and with Bayern under Ancelotti.

I know Ed002 chose Thiago Silva but I think he's overrated. He's not a real leader despite the armband he wears for PSG and wore for Brazil, his defending is average, and his passing is not too great either for someone who's lauded for it.

Ramos, I suspect, would be a popular pick too. I think he's a fantastic defender, but it was an easy decision not to pick him. He gets wound up so easily, he's been sent off nearly twenty times in La Liga alone, and that is playing for Real Madrid who mostly get decisions their way. Against an intergalactic team, who knows what underhanded tactics they might deploy to get an advantage? As admirable a defender, ballplayer and leader Ramos is, I am going to go for the safer options if I want my first eleven to stay on the pitch.

TL;DR - My four CB picks are Godin, Chiellini, Alderweireld and Hummels. Four defenders who can (actually) defend well, who are leaders and who have a complementary skillset which allows them to play as a unit of two or three CBs.

{Ed002's Note - Thanks for such a well thought out response.}


9.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 18:34:17
Bonucci, Godin, Boateng.

Alderweireld or Chiellini?

I'll go with Alderweireld for age and the fact I've got a player from the other top leagues.


10.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 18:59:45
Alderwerield
Bonucci
Chiellini
Godin.


11.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 19:30:52
Godin, Vertonghen, Alderwerield and Kompany.


12.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 19:35:02
Tough one; there is still an abundance of world class CBs, but some of them have started to head towards their twilight years and some underperformances may have been overlooked; on the other hand, the newer crop tends to be. less assured than desired.
In no particular order:

Diego Godin - a great player, slowly heading to the twilight zone; I have been curious for a long time how he would do outside of Atletiko's great defensive set-up.
Giorgio Chiellini - not much to say.
Laurent Koscielny - another one headed to the twilight zone, but I grew to admire him, because other than him I have NO other logical explanation what is holding a deplorable Arsenal defense together.
Toby Alderwield - the top defender in the premier league.

Some great players overlooked, like Bonucci (hasn't looked the same in Milan), Ramos (cheating c***), Kompany, Martin Skrtel and others.


13.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 19:56:06
Alderweireld
Godin
Chiellini
Bonucci.


14.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 20:22:22
alderweireld
varane
bonucci
godin.


15.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 20:43:55
Zpecialone with the reply of the century, well thought out and many valid points (strengths, weaknesses, partnerships, playing style)

But, am I the only one who started reading the OP as the song, thinking the whole sentence would be in rhythm somehow but getting very confused? XD damn you ed2 haha :P.


16.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 21:10:22
I would pick Diego Godin, Leonardo Bonucci, Jerome Boateng and Toby Alderwerield. Similar reasons as all the other comments on these players.
It would be hard to pick the 2 that start though.


17.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 21:11:53
Kompany, Alderweireld, Godin and Varane.


18.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 21:52:07
Alderwereild, Hummels, Tah and Varane.


19.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 21:57:11
Pontus Janssen
Alderweireld
Kompany
Boateng.


20.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 22:28:38
I can't see beyond the four that Ed2 chose initially. I do think that if this choice was being made a couple of seasons ago Kompany would occupy one of the spots and I also think that many moons ago Hyypia would have too.

For originality I'd throw Gimenez into the mix too.


21.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 22:35:35
Chiellini, Alderweireld, Hummels and former comedy defender David Luis.


22.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 22:37:24
Mine are Balanta, Aldeirweild, Hummels and Gimenez.


23.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 22:42:16
Alderweireld, Godin, Van Dyke and Varane with special mentions for Bailly, Koulibaly.


24.) 30 Sep 2017
30 Sep 2017 22:43:40
Sorry ED002, I understand you have a dislike to Liverpool and Klopp but to not include Lovren and Klavan in your top four is rather disappointing to say the least 😜😜.


25.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 00:24:22
Godin
Bonucci
Chiellieni
Alderweireld.


26.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 00:34:11
Silva, godin, kompany and bonucci for me.


27.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 00:55:06
Might get a lfc player tomorrow👍.


28.) 01 Oct 2017
30 Sep 2017 23:52:19
For me i would go with 2 experienced and 2 relatively younger centre backs- Godin and Bonucci as the experinced guys with Bailly (i know he plays for united but he is going to be gr8 player) and Marquinhos (PSG) .


29.) 01 Oct 2017
30 Sep 2017 23:53:22
A lot of options here for the centre back slots. Kompany should be a no brainer but missed out due to being injured for 90% of games. Alderweireld and Vertonghen have such a fantastic understanding together it would be difficult to split them up- they would be my backup pair. First choice goes to Godin who can tackle hard, cut out pretty much eevery ariel ball Andy a threat from set pieces. Boateng would be alongside him as he too is strong and composed whilst in possession, can read the game and adds versatility.


30.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 06:23:39
Alderweireld for being a top quality defender in the toughest league to defend in.

Godin because it is Godin and he is everything you would want in a defender.

Hummels because he is so technically good on the ball as well as being excellent defensively.

Last one was a coin flip between Chilleni and Varane - I went for Varane based on age and the fact that he is a very quick for a central defender, something that could be useful if playing a high line.


31.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 08:07:25
Godin, hard as nails no nosense CB

Eric Bailey, has rarely put a foot wrong at United, young, atletic, very underated in my opinion.

Vvd. My luxury CB, great footballer, brings the ball out well, glides across the pitch, scores goals at the other end. A bit of a rare talent still but in this team he could be a real superstar.

Last but not least Alderweirald. Top top defender, playing in a league where you need to be switched on every minute. Does he ever make a mistake?

Luis might have made it instead of VVD but he is a bit rash, great footballer tho, can also score a free kick and good in the opposing box but its time for VVD to step up in this team of superstars to see what he is made of before Liverpool buy him next season 😆.


32.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 10:18:23
I'm just to sad to post after hearing Rudolph is dead.

{Ed025's Note - im sad about the weather max...it looks like rain dear..


33.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 11:34:53
Picking 4 CBs seems easy and a little bit difficult.

First is Diego Godin, who I think is the best centre back in the world. Tough as nails, good leader, good at set pieces, makes whoever his centre back partner is look good. The total package.

Second is Leonardo Bonucci. The one I wish Liverpool could've gotten - even if he had his mind set on Milan. Good reading of the game, very composed.

The next two for me come as apart of a unit - Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. The best centre back pairing in the premiership since they started playing together. I saw Toby at Sotton and I felt he would be a solid centre back for any team - especially Liverpool. Wonder why we never signed him (thought he was linked with us) .
I think Toby is the best centre back in the premiership. And while I could've gone for Hummels or Boateng who are very good at playing from the back and actually defending, I'll go for Vertonghen because the centre backs should be a pair/ team. and there's none better than Toby/ Jan.

So:

Diego Godin
Leonardo Bonucci
Toby Alderweireld
Jan Vertonghen.


34.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 11:45:11
Surprised David Luiz hasn't been given a shout he was great last year, I'd have to take him in mine given he will have world class dm to protect him. Chiellini is the rock solid head he needs beside him. I'd happily have Ramos and bonucci as back up to these two.


35.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 12:57:57
Oh dear ed.

{Ed025's Note - sorry max..


36.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 14:36:57
Mat hummels

VVD

Ramos

Alderweireld.


37.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 16:10:27
why not sign a gk too on the way?


38.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 16:11:39
I'd go for: Godin, bonucci, alderweireld as the experienced ones and and baily as the Young face.


39.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 16:20:01
Alderweireld, Bonucci, Chiellini and Thiago Silva. Hummels came close but when I see him for Germany he sometimes looks like an articulated lorry trying to turn. Still a cracking player tho. Special shout out to James Collins too just because.


40.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 16:24:49
Varane
Chiellini
Bailly
Godin.


41.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 17:01:04
Aldeweireld, Godin, Bonucci, Thiago Silva.


42.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 19:25:36
Godin and chillini as the 2 old heads and bailly and varane are the 2 that i believe will be the best cbs in world football over next 5 years.
Alderwield and kompany are also outstanding imo.


43.) 01 Oct 2017
01 Oct 2017 20:38:45
Bonucci, hummels, thiago silva and Ramos.
All the very best at what they do (most Of The time) and good mixture of qualities.


44.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 06:03:46
Definitely Bonucci but the other three.? Difficult choice. Personally, if I’m a football manager right now, I’d pick Luiz, Alderweireld, and . wait for it. Joel Matip.


45.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 10:36:17
Matip? Seriously?


46.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 11:02:13
Godin, Chiellini, Bonucci, Alderweireld. The 4 centre backs with the best defensive ability and playing in teams with the best defensive records in the world. The likes of ramos and silva shouldn't even get close imo.


47.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 11:26:54
Surprising none picked Albiol and Koulibaly. Two CB who play high line and has most of the grounds to cover also get exposed to danger than any other defenders in Europe!
Albiol and Koulibaly for me! Purely based on what liverpool play and intends to play. One of the riskiest system in football!


48.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 11:53:40
Rudolph was hit by a Flock of Seagulls? Did they run? Run so far away?


49.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 13:09:14
Not sure if this is still open but here's my 4

Chiellini
Kompany
Hummells
Godin

Loving this at the moment Eds, nice one!


50.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 13:48:48
Maybe Rudolph was wishing!


51.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 14:14:48
Ed, we should do the WORST possible intergalactic team after this. With the rule that players must play for a team in the top leagues in their respective countries.

{Ed002's Note - I am sure we can come up with an idea or two.}


52.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 16:57:17
Varane, Manolas, Sarr and Boateng for me. 2 in their mid twenties, Boateng as the experienced leader we need and Sarr for the future. All 4 also have decent pace so should be able to play a high line defence.


53.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 18:35:05
Here is my pick luiz chelini or pique boateng.


54.) 02 Oct 2017
02 Oct 2017 19:24:44
The winners are Godin, Alderweireld, Bonucci and Chiellini. The defensive midfield is next - three required. New thread soon.