Best left back in the world?

Not true, regardless of how good you were going forward you have my word you wouldn't make the first team of Spain and Real Madrid if you were 'woefull' at defending.

He is suspect at defending, nothing worse imo.

 

Ashley Cole has been outstanding for Chelsea & England for the past 18 months. I've seen no left full back defend and attack like he has recently, never mind consistently over a season and beyond.

He's still a * and I'd only give him abuse if I ever met him.

 

Right perhaps he's not exactly woefull but his defending isn't up to much considering the level he play's at.

He is consistantly the weak link in Real Madrid's defence; it's no secret that Mourinho want's Maicon instead of Ramos so he can move him into his natural position (centre back). He is a better defender at CB because of his pace but at right back I have rarely seen a player with a worse positional sense at such a high level.

Btw Capdevilla gets a game for Spain and he really is woeful at defending.

 

Cole.

 

Never said he was good at the defensive side of his game mate, just think 'woeful' was a bit harsh

His positional sense isn't great but when you are at a defender with such a number of attacking players (whilst trying to attack yourself) the role is VERY hard to play.

Agree though, he is probably the weak link in there back four.

 

Although he's been amazing for them (mostly on the left wing), Marcelo isn't exactly the best defender either. Can't fault him this season though. He's growing into the player they thought he'd be, but he was, and still is to some extent, suspect defensively.

 

Cole is over-rated. Great player, but its typical Premiership sensationalism and the fact that the Premiership is watched by more people in Scotland than other leagues that make so many people think he is so good...Remeber, if he plays in the Premiership he gets extra top-trumps points

Lahm is a much better player. Just look at what hes acheived, depsite being 2 years younger.

UEFA Team of The Year 2006
UEFA Team of The Year 2008
FIFA Team of The Year 2008
World Cup All Stars Team 2010
Euro 2008 Team Of The Tournament
World Cup 2006 All Stars Team

Compare that with Cole, who has

UEFA Team of The Year 2004
The rest are domestic awards (i.e Premiership team of the year.)


I don't even know if I'd say that Cole is the best Left-back in Chelsea, nevermind the Premiership or the world. Honestly, get all the hype about how good all England players are and Zhirkov has been just as good as Cole if not better, especially when you watch him at international level.

 

Lahm is a sensational player, yes. No doubt about it. In my opinion, FIFA doesn't know it's * from it's elbow, but that's another matter. I don't think Cole is at all overrated and I don't think you'd find a manger in club football or at international level that wouldn't want him in his team or agree with that assessment.

World class footballers have went through their careers without accolades - they can only do their talking on the pitch, which Cole has done. I don't think I've ever witnessed him getting destroyed by any player over the past 5 years. Yes, I get extremely angry at the English press who mark out anyone coming through with a bit of talent or who has went on a hot run of form as the best [insert over-exaggeration here]. They only watch Prem and Champions League football (which somehow gives them expert authority on European football) and therefore their knowledge is not what they believe it to be. However, I can't disagree about Cole.

Zhirkov is also a very talented player, but I doubt whether he could have handled Ronaldo and Messi with as much aplomb as Cole has. I'm sure Ancelotti, one of the best coaches in the world, knows who is better too.

 

Zhirkov is a LW that can play LB

 

Also ^^^^ -

 

Even though he has been CM of late

 

Hasn't exactly excelled there, but not his fault really.

 

He's done all the things right with the Ball from what I have seen, but it clearly isn't natural to the guy- positional sense, defending and all that stuff.

 

Agree completely. I feel sorry for the guy, because he's shown how good he is with Russia. Just isn't getting his chance, but no wonder regarding how Cole and Malouda have been playing the past 18 months.

 

Yeah that is true. He would prefer to play on the Left Side of the Pitch but is finding it hard to get ahead of them two players.

 

I think Salcido is at the same level or not too far behind.

He just came from the Netherlands and got a place in Fulham's starting line-up inmmediatly, that's a proof of his quality.

 

Gonna say Ashley Cole. Evra isn't far off although is having his worst spell on record.

Also a big fan of Clichy who is a very similar type player, not yet quite same class (little bit more error prone) but is every bit as attacking.

(Hmm EPL bias hehe)

 

Or anti EPL

 

Why would choosing 3 EPL players be anti?