I think its fair to say that these 5 are the best right backs in the world and based on team composition and the opposition they would each warrant a pick based on their strengths. Sagnol, Neville and Zanetti in no particular order are for me, the 3 RBs I would chose going into a full season. They get this nod because of their allround capabilities and their consistency over a long time. Miguel and Zambrotta, who's not played THAT much RB would possibly get the nod in tournaments because of their ability to change a game more than the above 3. To me, it depends on what you want out of your RB.
Re: I feel you, but I'll say this. Neville's contribution is far greater than stats. He is, positionally the best RB in the premiership and perhaps has the knowledge of his position as good as anyone in the world - he knows exactly when to break forward and when to stay put, when to pinch in and when to get into the box. If Neville could finish there wouldn't even be a debate about who the best RB in the world is. He gets into 1v1's more than 10 times a season, a return of 5 goals wouldn't be too much to ask and goals are the only area Neville isn't fantastic in.
Re: He occasionally makes bad mistakes. Giving away a bad penalty... or a stupid red card. Especially in Europe... where he faces more creative players... they can completely fool him. If Neville could finish? How about if he could pass, dribble, get past players, cross the ball well? Since he can't do those things, you would expect him to be a decent CB... but he has been a failure at that position when he has been needed.
Re: Not going to get much purchase out of me with such a lame wind up. Neville's the best crosser at United and I don't think you'll find too many defenders who has played more games than Neville who've given up less penalties and have been shown fewer red cards.
I still firmly believe that Zanetti is the best RB in the world simply because of his versalitily and utility.
This thread has certainly gone down hill. Aside from the ridiculous Neville abuse, we now have people somehow listing the likes of Cicinho and Alves, neither of whom can defend and both could easily be listen as wingbacks or even wingers.
Re: That's nonsense. Gary Neville has been among the best 3-5 RBs in the world for no less than 10 years. He is easily one of the most decorated RBs in the world and has played a part in several well vaunted defenses. He has been England's default RB for YEARS.
Re: I think Neville barely makes the top 5 right backs the last ten years. Thuram, Cafu, and Zanetti were clearly better than Neville imo. And Panucci, Pessotto, and Salgado were at least as good as Neville throughout his career. I'd rank Neville like this: 1. Zanetti 2. Cafu 3. Thuram 4. Hugo Ibarra(many may disagree but I think he's one of the best) 5. Panucci 6. Neville 7. Pessotto 8. Salgado I'm sure I'm missing someone but those are the only names that come to mind atm.
They pretty much are wing-backs. But if you're going to have a separate category for that how about one for ponta-de-lança (spearhead) and another for ponta (pure winger, not the current 4-4-2 kind) when discussing other positions? Listing Cicinho or Alves as a winger would be comical in many places where wingers are still exclusively offensive positions.
Eboue plays excatly like Cafu but the problem with Eboue is sometimes he gets exposed at the back a bit too easily which didn't happen last year
Re: I'm already on record as stating that how you rank them is based on what you need in a RB. That said, Thuram has played CB for much of the last decade. Panucci? I'm not having this debate.
Re: When he played RB, which he did for most of his time for France, he was good enough to merit his inclusion on this list.
Re: I completely agree with that. However, how can you say X has been one of the best RBs in for last 10 years if he's only played RB for 6? or or so... tbh I'm a bit shady on when he stopped playing RB and moved central.
Re: He has played both most of the time. Its only the past several years when he has been too slow to play RB anymore that he's playing exclusively in the center.
Re: Pretty low but in fairness Panucci has been doing great this season. Note that I said this season and not the last decade or so.