60 Greatest Players in World Football To

The third in a series of six articles looking at the best 60 players in the world at the moment, we are now onto full-back having done golkeepers and centre-backs. Please enjoy, comment, discu s and read the next article; the top 10 central midfielders.Full-backsHonourable mentions:Fabio Coentrao A frustrating year for the 26 year old former Benfica man, playing second fiddle to Marcelo for club and having a disappointing World Cup for country. However, heis still an intelligent player, who is technically skilful and tactically versatile. Young enough to still improve and bounce back. Forms a wicked partnership with Ronaldo down the left for club and country when they play together.Ashley Cole Still a first cla s full back, Coles fall from grace was dramatic and sudden. At the start of last season he waswidely Rick Lovato Jersey considered the best left-back in the world, at the star of next seasonhe will be playing in Serie A for Roma on roughly a third of the pay and having retired from international football having not made Englands World Cup squad. The move may reignite the career of one of very few English players who were consistently world-cla s for nearly a decade.Patrice Evra Another premier league stalwart who looks set to leavefor Serie Athis summer, Evra has developed into a real leader at Old Trafford in the last couple of years. His experience is also crucial in a youthful defence for France and heplayed in four of Frances five games at the World Cup. Athletic, industrious and determined, he would have been in the top 5 even three years ago.10. Filipe Luis AtleticoMadridand Brazil 28 Another previously average La Liga player whose performances have shot up during Diego Simeones Zech McPhearson Jersey title-winning season with Atletico Madrid. Lookscertain to join Chelsea, the team Atleti knocked out of last seasons ChampionsLeague in the semis,after desperately pushing the 20 million move through, resulting in him being frozen out at the Spanish champions during pre season. The move is even more surprising as Filipe had been one of the players that had appeared to epitomise Diego Simeones pa sion and work ethic last season, consistently providing tirele s runs down the left-hand side and defending resolutely against opposition attacks. His form was so great last season that it had some pushing for him to start for Brazil at their own World Cup ahead of star left-back Marcelo, something we didnt see happen, arguably (due to Brazils worrying defending at times) to his benefit. If the it is to happen, Filipe should be confident enough to fill the considerable boots of Ashley Cole at Stamford Bridge.9.ukas Piszczek Boru sia Dortmund and Poland 29 One of three Poles to have achieved succe s at the Boru sia Dortmund, Piszcek is crucial in a tidy back four that includes Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic. Signed on a free transfer from Hertha BSC in 2010, he has been crucial for Jurgen Klopps team in midfield, on the wing but mainly as a buccaneering right-back where he combines great defence with marauding forward runs down the right for the former Champions League finalists. Injury kept him out of the first half of the season and Dortmund looked a much improved side upon his return. He is an unsung hero for them and is one of a very few squad members that havent been linked with moves away. Most Dortmund fans will be very happy if it stays that way.8. Bacary Sagna Manchester City and France 31 After 7 fantastic years at Javon Hargrave Jersey Arsenal, Sagna has finally left for the Premier League champions at the age of 31, a move he has earned and deserves. In a time of a constantly changing defensive line year on year, Sagna had been ever-present and constantly reliable for Arsene Wenger at Arsenal, where he mixed defensive discipline with attacking guile. He had become a fan favourite at Arsenal and fans will be disappointed to see him leave, especially on a free transfer and to Manchester City, again. It will be interesting to see how Manuel Pellegrini incorporates both Zabaleta and Sagna into one team, if he does so at all. For sure, he is one of the most consistent players on this list and Arsenal are going to mi s him dearly.7. Leighton Baines Everton and England 29 After years of excellence finally turned into world cla s performances, Leighton Baines finally ousted Ashley Cole as Englands number 1 left back. After mi sing out on a 30 million move to Manchester United last summer, Baines set-pieces, cro ses and consistent performances helped Everton finish2places abovethem, in 5th. He also earned himself a place as Englands left-back but, despite looking good in qualifying, failed to impre s in Brazil and was at fault for the crucial goal against Italy. Enjoying life under Roberto Martinez, expect more of the same next season for Baines and Everton in their strive to join Europes elite and Baines will bepivotal if they are to achieve that goal.6. Pablo Zabaleta Manchester City and Argentina 29 Into his 6th year at the English champions, Pablo Zabaleta is now a mainstay in the team and vice-captain to Vincent Kompany. He took a while to adapt to the English game and had to fight off competition from Micah Richards for a place in the starting XI but along with fellow Argentines Martin Demichellis and Sergio Aguero, he is now a fully-fledged Jerome Brown Jersey member of the squad and one of the best in his position in the league. His tenacious and determined playing style has endeared him to the City crowd and he is now one of their most reliable and consistent performers following another great season. Played every game as Argentina came within7 minutes of becoming world champions and his pa sion, bravery and tackling were paramount to their succe s. Faces yet another stiff challenge to see off the competition of new arrival Bacary Sagna but knowing Zabaleta, as we feel we all do, it is one he will rise to and utterly relish.5. Jordi Alba Barcelona and Spain 25 The emerging star from Spains victorious Euro 2012 campaign, Philadelphia Eagles Hoodies Sweatshirts Jordi Alba looked destined for staredom playing for the best international and club sides in the world. Unfortunately for him, the next two years didnt quite live up to the hype. He joined Barca almost at what felt like the end of an era, with greats ageing, the style becoming predictable and beatable and perhaps most crucially without their fantastic coach, Pep Guardiola. Spain too,had begun to lacktheir previous zeal and invincibility, with their disastrous World Cup the culmination of that. To top things off, Alba himself struggled with injuries and found himself moving from the fringes of the team to the medical room intermittently. However, having said all that, he is still young and is still an absolutely superb left-back when fit; po se sing pace, determination and a terrific work-ethic. In a time when tiki-taka is said to
 
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