Top players at each position

[5DOM]

Not sure when Vidic and Terry embarrassed themselves tbh. I also disagree with Piqué being the most well-rounded DC in the world. He's a good ball-playing CB, but is no world class defenderIMO. It's easier to defend when you have some of the best ball-winning midfielders in the world pressing for 90 mins. If Piqué played for Chelsea, he would let in just as many goals because our midfielders don't close down.

[lukekarts]

Chelsea have been shambolic at the back all season, and Terry has been part of that. Yeah I appreciate AVB has been playing a different system but the Arsenal game in particular was an embarrassment. Vidic too has been erratic when he's played, but more can be attributed to the constant stream of injuries.

My point about Pique being the most well rounded DC stands true though, you mention he's good with the ball, but he's also huge, great in the air, a good tackler too, and rarely caught out of position. He's also relatively pacey (compared to other guys his size). I don't agree that his midfield makes him look good, it certainly helps but they improved massively in the last couple of seasons and his development was a contributing factor.

[magik9113]

I'd say Pique is without question a world-class defender

[5DOM]

Chelsea have been shambolic at the back all season, and Terry has been part of that. Yeah I appreciate AVB has been playing a different system but the Arsenal game in particular was an embarrassment. Vidic too has been erratic when he's played, but more can be attributed to the constant stream of injuries.

I think it has much more to do with the right side of the defense (Luiz/Ivanovic/Alex & Bosingwa/Ivanovic) and the new high defensive line system than JT who IMO has not been an embarrassment at all. Even if you just look at the Arsenal game, I don't think you can really blame him for any of the goals conceded. As for Vidic, I think he's been just as erratic as Kompany. City's defence hasn't exactly been that great either. If we are only gonna look at this season, Newcastle players have been better than most defensively.

My point about Pique being the most well rounded DC stands true though, you mention he's good with the ball, but he's also huge, great in the air, a good tackler too, and rarely caught out of position. He's also relatively pacey (compared to other guys his size). I don't agree that his midfield makes him look good, it certainly helps but they improved massively in the last couple of seasons and his development was a contributing factor.

Even natural DM's look decent as CB's when they play for Barca . Now I do agree that Pique is a top defender, but in Barca alone Puyol is a significantly more well rounded CB IMO. He obviously hasn't been playing much this season, but neither has Pique and I just think Puyol's much more likely to succeed in any system.

[IronChef]

Song deserves to be in the discussion for holding midfielders, imo. He's been bossing the midfield most every game, along with making some truly beautiful passes. He's been one of our most consistent players, and probably right behind RvP as our best player this season. He's toned down a bit in the poor decision making resulting in bookings this year, nothing since that stamp on Joey Barton. And really, who can blame him for that?

[BC_]

Luke you're an aussie aren't you? We've got a bit of an aussie community starting in the general other sports forum, come join in

[lukekarts]

Luke you're an aussie aren't you? We've got a bit of an aussie community starting in the general other sports forum, come join in

Nope

I think people have got me all wrong this week, JordansBulls thought I was a Bucks fan and now I'm an aussie? Hehe... that would be AussieBuck.

I'm definitely neither; I'm English, living in England, Chelsea fan, Miami Heat fan, my biggest sporting interest being motorsport.

[BC_]

Luke you're an aussie aren't you? We've got a bit of an aussie community starting in the general other sports forum, come join in

Nope

I think people have got me all wrong this week, JordansBulls thought I was a Bucks fan and now I'm an aussie? Hehe... that would be AussieBuck.

I'm definitely neither; I'm English, living in England, Chelsea fan, Miami Heat fan, my biggest sporting interest being motorsport.

Don't know where i got my wires crossed. Anyway, come over if you want to talk cricket or rugby.

[magik9113]

Thiago Silva needs to be mentioned with the top CBs as well. He has been amazing since joining Milan

[TheHartBreakKid]

Imo Silva is better than or atleast equal Xavi now....and it has mroe to do with him stepping his game up than Xavi falling off. This is ofcourse based on my limited viewing experience. Spain in the Euros is going to be too dangerous, probably running a 4-5-1 with Fabregas, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva, Alonso playing the midfield. Almost too many playmakers for their own good.

[J-Mezzy]

So Spain plays with 4 offensive mid fielders and just one defensive one? Interesting, especially since they are a strong defensive team.

[TheHartBreakKid]

So Spain plays with 4 offensive mid fielders and just one defensive one? Interesting, especially since they are a strong defensive team.

This is where "My limited viewership" comes into play. Like i said in the OP I've always been a soccer fan but only now am i starting to follow it religiously, and I figured Spain could play Alonso as the defensive midfileder, with Fabregas and Xavi playing a bit infront of him and Iniesta and Silva would play the wings. Who would be on the bench and what other defensive midfielders do they have if this lineup doesn't work? I ask only cause I'm curious and want to learn more about the formations and tactics not because I'm disagreeing with you.

[lukekarts]

So Spain plays with 4 offensive mid fielders and just one defensive one? Interesting, especially since they are a strong defensive team.

This is where "My limited viewership" comes into play. Like i said in the OP I've always been a soccer fan but only now am i starting to follow it religiously, and I figured Spain could play Alonso as the defensive midfileder, with Fabregas and Xavi playing a bit infront of him and Iniesta and Silva would play the wings. Who would be on the bench and what other defensive midfielders do they have if this lineup doesn't work? I ask only cause I'm curious and want to learn more about the formations and tactics not because I'm disagreeing with you.

Although it would be possible, there's too much overlapping talent there, the middle of the pitch would get congested.

I believe Spain's preferred lineup right now looks a bit like this:

----------------Casillas
Ramos - Puyol - Pique - Capdevila
-------Busquets - Alonso
-----Iniesta - Xavi - Pedro
--------------- Villa

Given that team has won the last two major international tournaments, I expect they will (health provided) continue to use that into the EURO 2012 Tournament.

Silva, Fabregas and Mata have largely been used as substitutes (with Torres, Negredo and Llorente sometimes starting up front) and I expect that will continue; of course it wouldn't surprise me to see any of them start but with the whole midfield in great form it's hard to warrant dropping anyone.

The more I look at the squad the more I am in awe with just how talented it is; especially when considering their U21 dominance and the emerging talents of Muniain, Thiago and Montoya.

[TheHartBreakKid]

Damn i forgot about Bousquet and Pedro. Spain has more pure talent than former superpowers like Italy and France combined. Mata, Navas, Fabregas, and Silva off the bench is just crazy. Out of their 9 midfielders/wingers you could argue that their backups could form the second best midfield team in the world, excluding the Dutch. It's honestly funny how weak France/Italy and to a lesser extent england looks in comparison talentwise.

[sergiio_88]

...

The more I look at the squad the more I am in awe with just how talented it is; especially when considering their U21 dominance and the emerging talents of Muniain, Thiago and Montoya.

And Isco, remember this name. Also Canales, Marc Bartra and Rodrigo* (Brazilian Born player).

In U-20, Alvaro Morata and Sergi Roberto.

In U-19, Paco Alcácer, Rafinha* (Thiago Alcántara's brother, Brazilian born player), Gerard Deulofeu (17 years), Javier Espinosa, Jesé Rodríguez, Álvaro Vadillo(17 years) and Joel Valencia* (17 years, ecuadorian born player).



* They could play in both NT until they play in a senior NT.

[5DOM]

The ones that impressed me the most from last UEFA U21 Championship are Martinez, Mata and Herrera.