My apologies for the delay. I know everyone has been waiting with bated breathe for the release of my Top 5 defenders of the World Cup, but March Madness rendered me incapable of brain activity (even more so than usual).
Now that we've made it through the shit storm that is March, we can get back to bizness.
As far as defenders go, the 2010 World Cup is as broke as a $5 hooker...what, that didn't work? No good? Alright then, the defenders in this cup suck worse than Rory at Fifa. Ohhhhhhhhhh...Burn Rory! Suck on that shit.
Seriously though, this World Cup should be an exciting one because the field is littered with teams that are absolutely wretched at defense. Even the upper echelon squads have been known to allow some fairly egregious goals (i.e. Brazil, Spain in Confederations Cup).
That being said, there are a few worth mentioning...
Honorable Mention:
John Terry (England), Phillip Lahm (Germany), Martin DiMichelis (Argentina), Eric Abidal (France)
Here are my Top 5 (0r 6) defenders:
T-5. Patrice Evra - France
Evra is not exactly a picture of menace on the back line at 5-foot-8 and 166 pounds, but what he lacks in stature he more than makes up for in tenacity. Initially forced into a role in the backfield, the Man U defender has grown comfortable with the position. Still, he's best in open space as a counter attacker, setting pace for the offense.
T-5. Gerard Pique - Spain
As far as actual talent goes, Pique is the richest La Furia Roja defender. The Barca center back is a pup on the international level at only 23 years of age, but is a powerful and imposing figure for any attacker to approach and will be a factor if Spain is to go deep into the knockout round. Pique is also a major threat on the offensive side as he is known to launch his fair share of silky smooth deep balls to attacking forwards.
4. Carles Puyol - Spain
Puyol is the seasoned vet of the Spanish lot. Rocking the horse mane haircut like the pitch is a bad 80's movie, Pique's Barca counterpart has seen and done it all in his 80 appearances for the Spanish national team. Consider Puyol the Andrei Kirilenko of the team. He's not always in the right position, but he more than makes up for that with his craftiness and hustle. The Spanish will need solid form and leadership from their captain to achieve the lofty expectations before them.
3. Dani Alves - Brazil
Alves isn't a conventional back by any means and his minutes on the national team have suffered because of that, but he definitely deserves to be on this list. The Barca back is a crossbreed, stifling opposing attacks and yet leading plenty of his own as a pseudo-winger. The Brazilians have been trying a more defensive-minded approach in recent years under coach Carlos Dunga and, while Alves is a solid defender, he doesn't fit the concept to a T. Still, expect plenty of minutes and spectacular plays from the versatile right back.
2. Nemanja Vidic - Serbia
Yeah, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that there is no way the Serbians will go anywhere in the tournament so why should Vidic get any strokes? Because he is the fucking man, that's why. Vidic is the perfect prototype which all defensive backs should be modeled after. He's got size and speed, marks like Deion is his prime and is an unparalleled aerial defender. Scoring on Vidic is the equivalent of scoring with a supermodel. Unless you're in the top .00000001% of Awesome in the world, don't even try it. You'll just embarrass yourself.
1. Maicon - Brazil
Without Maicon, Dunga's dream of a more defensive Canarinho team would be shot to shit. Luckily, he's got the wily and impervious right back. The Inter enforcer is the best all-around defender in the world and may be the most vital cog in Brazil's quest for a World Cup title. The Yellow and Green's M.O. has always been scoring goals and they will never be lacking in that area with talent like Kaka and Luis Fabiano. If Maicon and his backline cohorts can hold the Spains and Frances of the world to one goal per game, then Dunga's team should prevail for its sixth crown.
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