In terms of depth in the back line. The ability to maneuver between the roles of a defenseman, the tackling ability, the strength, the short pass, the long pass. Leadership qualities, aswell as the ability to excel in other roles, not just constricted to being a classic defender.

Who does everyone think is the best, I don't want any bias answers here, but just reasoning behind it all. It's your opinion that matters here, thanx in advance for all responses!!

I reckon Carles Puyol. The man can do it all on the back line, his passing is above-average, he's a hard man, can get into tackles and makes it look easy. His ability to maneuver between the back 4 and also run across that Right Wing as if he were a Patrice Evra, Daniel Alves, or Bosingwa is extrremely exceptional, not to mention his crossing is very fair from the position he derived from just last season. His leadership qualities are World Class, the catalan captain, the real beast of any defense.

William Gallas. Top class centre-back or left-back, and has even played right-back on certain occasions. Always a danger from attacking set pieces, and scores a few vital goals as well.

rio ferdinand! [look what happened when he's taken off the pitch ~ derby scored their first away goal T.T]

Walter Samuel is up there this season. Inter have only concided 8 goals this season and Samuel hasnt made a single mistake so far. He's The Wall of the Roma days again..

Agreed, although not really for that reason

He's got more goals than we're used to seeing from him, aswell as consistently good defending that has give us one of the best defensive records in both the League and Europe.

I gotta go with Rio and Vidic....awesome partnership between the two, Rio awesome passer, while Vidic is just an animal in the air.

For me the most improved defender this past 2 seasons has been Sergio Ramos. Knows how to defend, attacks well, tenacious and scores.

Arguably the greatest defender ever, Paolo Maldini says that the current best defender in Europe is Sergio Ramos. Must be true.

In my opinion it's comes between Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. i'm not being england biased but i think it's the truth because ferdinand has great awareness of where the ball is and good at predicting where the ball is going to go in his own territory.

Ye hes certainly up there. Its stupid to single out simply the best, theres plenty of names that could easily make my best defenders list. ramos,samuel,vidic,carvalho,toure,milito,chivu,nesta,mexes...

Plus this post doesn't thoroughly address whether or not they would like the opinion of the current best player in Europe, or for example the overall best defender in Europe. That that I would answer, the one and only, Paolo Maldini.

Wouldnt that mean current? Plus its always going to be an opinion, as much as alot of people around here think otherwise, no1 is going to say so and so is the best and convince everyone.

By overall, I mean like the best defender in his prime, even if he isn't playing anymore. I agree though, none of these top lists will ever reach an agreement.

Puyol is the best. There are other great defenders but he has been on top of his game for the past three years

william gallas he's been scoring important goals too.

Sergio Ramos .. Passion , Speed , Crosses, Shots , Headers and scores. One of the main reason why Real Madrid won last year which made him best player in La Liga 2007.

for me it has got be sergio ramos.....hes got it all...pace power superb tackling amazing aierel ability skills attitude and a great first touch

hes like the cristiano ronaldo of defenders

william gallas and for a second place i wouls say sergio ramos

Alessandro Nesta. Nothing gets past him and he's always pulling off acrobatic saves.

Man I'm good.
He just scored the winner against Chelsea from... yes, a set piece.

Carlos Puyol and Sergio Ramos...

Toure is ALWAYS consistently world class.I've only seen him play badly in one game:Our loss to Middlesbrough.

Carles Puyol

Best defender and right-full back

Sergio Ramos

Gallas

PEPE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pepe^ was amazing last night against Barcelona one of the performances of the season.

I'd say Nesta is still probally the best tho.

yeah did you see that tackle where he came rampaging down to ronnie all the way from his centre back posistion

Puyol and Sergio Ramos.

Sergio Ramos - In terms of shear ability, this guy has it all as a defender: pace, strength, heading, crossing, skills, etc. He is also VERY versatile, I believe he started out as a center back when he first came to Madrid but now he is more of a Right Back. We saw him versus Barcelona 2 nights ago marking Ronaldinho very tightly and shutting him down. He is very young so he has a lot of time to develop but he plays like a veteran in the game. One of my favourtie players, and defiantly one of the best defenders in the modern game.

Carlos Puyol - has a very different style than Sergio Ramos but equally as effective, maybe even more. His leadership qualities on the pitch are immense and very important as he is one of Barca's top players. Nothing gets past this guy and just like Sergio Ramos, he can play anywhere. He can play in the CB position, which is his preferred position, or he can play in the RB/LB slot. Wherever you put him, he is a beast.

Rio best defender in the epl without question.

He has a shout for CB...but RB isn't his best spot anymore. Sergio Ramos is much better than him now. In a year or two it will be the same case for the CB position as well.

Nesta- is the class of defense, if this topic really is about being a defender then none beats him. i believe puyol is a good defender but a better leader; however nesta beats in this case beats in with the one on one ability his organizational skills are also better imo. he does not have the partners that puyol does but he still consistently makes milans defense looks half decent.

Rio Ferdinand.

Sergio Ramos . Nesta . Materazzi .



Sergio Ramos . Nesta . Materazzi .

Nesta, Materazzi, Puyol, Cannavaro,

^^cannavaro? really? he hasnt been doing very well..

puyol, ramos, nesta, and ferdinand

Canna has found his rhythm now. He's actually quite the CB now.

mm maybe but i dont think he qualifies for the bst defender of the world atm

oh i agree. He still has some way to go to again be considered the best.

Carlos Cuellar. The Titan.

Sergio Ramos & Nesta are the best defenders in Europe .

Gallas, Rio, Carvalho, Toure and Puyol I think.

As a defender, the best is either Rio or Gallas. As a player, Toure is the best.

Richards is a very good defender .

past couple years puyol,cannavaro,ferdinand

Right Now: Vidic, Ramos, Nesta

Mexes
Nesta
Materazzi
Puyol
Ramos

Judging by the thread, it seems we cant have the one best defender, so maybe nominate couple of defenders who you think are one of the best defenders.

I would go for:

Rio
Gallas
Nesta
Ramos