I just want to ask some hardcore Arsenal fans a question. I dont get a chance to see Arsenal play on a regular basis as here in Canada I am restirced to what sportsnet decides to show and that could be anything from Arsenal-Man U to Sunderlan vs Birmigham. My question is would it be a crime against humanity (or just Chelsea and England fans ) to say that Kolo is a better player than John Terry? Toure is much improved this season and even with Campbell out has led the charge with what one could say not the most experienced of partners. The fact that you guys have yet to concede a goal in the CL since the one of the early matches in the group stage has also got to be mentioned when thinking of this season's achievements. Not to mention with only 26 goals allowed (just six shy of the champions elect) in what can be said to be a domestic season to forget for the Gunners am I wrong in thinking that Toure has had a big hand in that? From what I have seen this season he has more mobility than Terry and seems to be much more decisive with his feet when making the tackle. he is a al hustle no nonsense defender and everytime I see him play I like him more. Maybe I am just catching Terry on the wrong days but when I see him he just doesnt seem to shine for me he is still a very good defender but watching Yakubu give him such a torrid time in the Middlesborough game in Februrary reall took his stock down in my book, not to mention what Ronaldinho did to him in the Nour Camp. I would really like your opinion on this guys, thanks.
Hell no. Toure certainly is faster but his defensive abilities pales in comparision to Terry. Toure is error prone at times while Terry hardly makes any error. And Terry is a million times better in the air than Toure.
I think Kolo is fantastic. He can only get better as well. And I'd really love to see us get his brother Yaya... but better than John Terry? Ummm... no way. Terry is a ROCK defensively and he and Lampard are what that team are build around.
They're very different players. Toure is a lot more like Gallas than he is like Terry (although not quite as good). That being said, however, Toure has had an absolutely amazing season, and he's been, in my opinion, the 4the 4th best defender in the EPL this season.
Gallas>Terry>Toure the thing about defenders is that in a low-scoring game such as soccer there's often little difference between a great defender and a legendary one.
legendary defenders usually stay at one club and win trophies/cups over a longtime. eg. kaiser, maldini, baresi, gentile, adams, o'leary, hapgood, krol, fachetti, etc. if lazio were not so suicidal and italy not so unlucky, nesta would of claimed name to this group already. i think thats more then a little difference.
I can say undoubtedly that NO ONE likes Kolo, or rates him, any more than myself but Terry is the ONLY Chelsea player I completely and totally respect. Dude is a rock, and just wills his team to wins sometimes. I think the world of John Terry...though I'd kick his 10 teammates squarely in their (wo)manhood given the chance.
well thats an obvious point because you cant tell the difference between defenders unless that defender makes a horrendous mistake. defenders dont get judged like strikers do. sure strikers win games, midfielders dominate games but defenders(and goalkeepers) win you championships. sure without toure we would get by 1 game here or there but over the course of this season we would be fcuked without the ivory coast guard.
Don't rate Terry very highly. I'd take Kolo over him in the Arsenal team every time. Gallas is the best defender at Chelsea.
I do rate Terry highly but agree that Toure offers strengths to Arsenal that Terry doesn't have. Now a Terry-Toure CB pair...
I was also thinking along the same lines after making the post. They are just a tad too different to compare as they do not play the same style of game nor do their teams really operate on the same system. I also like Terry he is a good solid defender, I was just wondering what you guys thought of the matter. Thank you all for your responses. Toure's rep will rise a solid amount if he is able to lead Arsenal into the CL finals. Knowing from experience Arsenal should not have a problem with Villa. As long as they play a good game at home and a tight game away like they have done all season I see no reason why they shouldnt make the finals. Should they manage to win it Toure and Henry would go down as gods in Aresnal history.........that is if Henry is not already in that category.
if we won the CL Toure wouldn't be one of the first 2 immortalized. my guess is that the whole team would reap the rewards with Henry slightly more acclaimed than the first among equals.
Kolo is an amazing player and good defender. (Kolo can play just about anywhere on the pitch). Terry is a excellent defender. I think Kolo is more athletic, but Terry is better with head (great footie mind and also damn fine at heading the ball).