A journalist once wrote that England have had only had two world class players since Bobby Charlton, these being Peter Shilton and Kevin Beattie. I think this is utter nonsense in view of some of the players we have had since, but what was surprising was his citing Beattie. Many will probably have forgotten the Ipswich defender whose career was cut short by injury, but from what I remember of him he was a great defender. I would also suggest Hansen and Lawrenson were great ball plying defenders at Liverpool.
However the reason for this thread is that great defenders are as hard to find as great strikers, and it's all very well saying we need better defenders but they do not grow on trees. We have had some really good centre halfs at town over the years such as Breckin, Dyche, Williams, Green, Ridley, Baines, Bell, Phelan, Brien, Blatherwick, etc but they seem pretty rare these days. Find me any defender who doesn't make a mistake.
This post has been edited by Zigsuk: 18 March 2024 - 04:54 PM