I think Zanetti was a fantastic all round full back and he’s as technically gifted as you want your full back to be. His engine was second to none and you’d struggle to name too many better attacking right backs.
He had pace, strength and good reading of the game so I think you’re selling him short here with your assessment of his defensive ability.
I actually agree that Neville was a top right back and a very consistent one but I wouldn’t put him ahead of Zanetti defensively except maybe in one on ones.
But Zanetti was good enough to fill in as a defensive midfielder, play both full back positions and never look out of place wherever he filled in.
Neville was decent defensively, nevet a truly great defender as far as I know.
Zanetti was better as a defender, while going forward they aren’t on the same universe.
Actually, Phill Neville was a better player than Gary.
Hardly gets spoken about, brilliant both as a CM or as a RB/LB for Everton. Gary was never that good.
Was it Karetsas? @Flexo mentioned it the other day.
To be honest, can’t take too much credit for him. He was raised in Belgium and has represented them at youth level before opting for the senior Greece team.
There seems to be a good generation coming out for Greece minute. Tzimas, Kostoulas, Mouzakitis, and Kouliarekis are some others.
There’s others a bit older like Delias, Tzolis(Norwich flop) and Zafeiris too.
Personally, I can’t really hype any of them up. I’m always trepidatious when it comes to Greek talent, especially when it’s about attacking minded talents. Too many failed wonderkids.
What do folks think about Eliesse Ben Seghir as a backup LW option if Nico doesn’t work out? I dont watch Monaco but his highlight videos are really impressive. Looks like a player that is tricky enough in one on ones for the wing but also composed enough to play through the middle in attacking midfield. Maybe @SRCJJ has thoughts?
Corruption is one thing, but no one can deny Bergomi, Maldini, Baresi, Nesta, all these players were great defenders. Best of the best.
Gary Neville, wasn’t even good enough to lace their boots.
Neville’s underrated in this convo cos he’s a manc and a cunt on comms.
He was a top full back for over a decade under the most demanding manager prior to pep. Let’s give him credit at least for being reliable and a good all rounder. If not world class, he was the next tier.
Comparing Neville to Baresi and Maldini doesn’t prove anything is my point. You can be world class and not be as good as the absolute best. False dichotomy.
Klinsmann was world class but nowhere near a lot of strikers from that era.
I did not compare them to Neville.
I was saying the Italian league was/is corrupted but the superior defenders that they had was also a fact and had nothing to do with the corruption.
Fair, but I think you find any defender from any league that match up to Baresi or Maldini. Even our Tony Adam’s isn’t in that league and he was World Class.
There aren’t many teams that Neville wouldn’t get into during that era. He’d likely have excelled in Serie A. He was a decent centre back as well.
This could be a potential second transfer target for the summer after Zubimendi arrives. Another good scouting podcast from these chaps at The Cannon Podcast.
