As Reece James got his first start after coming back from Injury, we MAY see Azpilicueta phased out or atleast given a rest for the rest of the season. The guy has played the most games for an outfield player over the last few years and has been worked like a dog.
So that got me thinking, he has been exceptional, an absolute steal and wonderful singing for us, but where would he rate overall for the PL era (the era that I remember due to age for all you "football didn't start in the PL bla bla bla")
I think it is pretty evident he would probably be top 3 in the PL era defensively, but the modern day full back is so much more than that nowadays. Overall who would your top 5 be?
Cole, Azpilicueta, Dixon, Neville, Ivanovic, Evra, Irwin (did he play much in the prem), Petrescu,zabaleta,le saux....the liverpool boys are up and comers and in a few years will surely be up there.
1.Cole
2.Neville
3.Evra
4.Dixon
5.Ivanovic/azpilicueta
Best full backs of PL era
posted on 27/9/19
I'd say Cole is overall the best fullback of the PL era. Very dependable defensively, tactically and positionally aware, good in one-on-one duels, dynamic going forward. He wasn't a particularly good crosser, but he was a player who rarely let you down.
posted on 27/9/19
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 1 hour, 40 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 21 minutes ago
Look at Kane too.
I guess on the flip side of us not being a side that spends huge amounts like a City or a Chelsea, we've been less likely to move players on and that's partly why we've seen first Bale and then Kane go from nothing players to superstars.
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Agreed.
I still believe there were potential stars stuck in the Chelsea system who never got a fair crack.
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Agreed. De Bruyne almost messed up his career at Chelsea and he's a fantabulous player. And that's KDB who already had made a name for himself.
posted on 27/9/19
comment by Nostraduncus (U11713)
posted 5 hours, 43 minutes ago
irwin won the CL in 99.
for me the best fullback in PL history.
great defensively, good going forward, great free kick taker and was as good on the left as he was on the right.
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Also had a season for us in the prem, alas not his favourite season i am sure
posted on 28/9/19
Agree with your list Nick. I can't look past A. Cole & G. Neville as 1 & 2. Neville in particular because he was playing like a modern day WB before it was a recognized thing in the PL, no-one else from the 90's can be fairly compared to anything after cos the old FB role evolved very quickly.
I'd have A. Cole at #1 purely because arguably the most talented player in PL history (C. Ronaldo) always had a tough game against him. He's the most complete FB/WB for the longest duration of time the league has ever had.
posted on 29/9/19
Surprised people leaving out Coleman & Baines, probably not too 3 but pure consistency and longevity, Coleman still excellent
posted on 29/9/19
comment by Sheriff John Brown - Emery OUT!!! (U7482)
posted 2 days, 4 hours ago
I'd say Cole is overall the best fullback of the PL era. Very dependable defensively, tactically and positionally aware, good in one-on-one duels, dynamic going forward. He wasn't a particularly good crosser, but he was a player who rarely let you down.
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Without a shadow of a doubt. He was superb at Arsenal and Chelsea.
posted on 29/9/19
comment by The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning (U16342)
posted 2 days, 5 hours ago
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 36 minutes ago
Already discussed I know but you can’t ignore Kyle Walker imo.
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Yeah, he is above Azpi tbh
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posted on 29/9/19
Can’t agrre with that at all. Walker as an athlete yes but had some shockers.
posted on 29/9/19
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 37 seconds ago
comment by The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning (U16342)
posted 2 days, 5 hours ago
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 36 minutes ago
Already discussed I know but you can’t ignore Kyle Walker imo.
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Yeah, he is above Azpi tbh
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I don't think Neville should be two, Ivanovic was better.
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posted on 29/9/19
The best two I've seen are Cole and Irwin
After that, there are plenty