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Prime Van Dijk (18/19) is a top 5 prime season for a CB ever
A thread
A thread
To start the comparisons, I will look at the % of votes the CB’s got in the ballon d’or votings
It’s better than basic rankings as we can see if they were close or not of winning it and if they were clear or not of other players
I will do : votes for player / total votes x 100
It’s better than basic rankings as we can see if they were close or not of winning it and if they were clear or not of other players
I will do : votes for player / total votes x 100
Beckenbauer 1970 : 26.9%
Van Dijk 2019 : 24.1%
Cannavaro 2006 : 22.5%
Baresi 1989 : 19.9%
Sammer 1996 : 18.9%
Moore 1970 : 17.8%
Maldini 2003 : 16.1%
Maldini had a better % in 1994 but he was playing LB that season.
Note : Only 1 year per player is allowed
Van Dijk 2019 : 24.1%
Cannavaro 2006 : 22.5%
Baresi 1989 : 19.9%
Sammer 1996 : 18.9%
Moore 1970 : 17.8%
Maldini 2003 : 16.1%
Maldini had a better % in 1994 but he was playing LB that season.
Note : Only 1 year per player is allowed
Van Dijk is second, also the ones who are close to him won the World Cup which has a big influence on the voting
The trophy was only for Europeans back then, and Figueroa was named the best South American player in 1974 and the best defender of the World Cup, big mention
The trophy was only for Europeans back then, and Figueroa was named the best South American player in 1974 and the best defender of the World Cup, big mention
The thing is that Van Dijk in 2019 was second behind... Messi who just finished one of the best years of his career, arguably the best taking in account the team he had.
I don’t want to disrespect those players but Cruyff, especially in 1974 wasn’t on 2019 Messi level
I don’t want to disrespect those players but Cruyff, especially in 1974 wasn’t on 2019 Messi level
I could stop now, but I won’t
I will compare his important defensive statistics to the best defenders of the last 15 years (because that’s when data started)
Those players will be : Terry 04/05, Vidic 08/09, Ramos 13/14, Puyol 09/10
I will compare his important defensive statistics to the best defenders of the last 15 years (because that’s when data started)
Those players will be : Terry 04/05, Vidic 08/09, Ramos 13/14, Puyol 09/10
The stats will be used to judge tackling, aerial abilities and attacking play
Tackle % | Aerial % | Long passes p90
VVD : 100% | 74% | 5.4
Ramos : 88% | 66% | 7.8
Vidic : 88% | 69% | 4.1
Puyol : 85% | 65% | 3.7
Terry : 81% | N/A | 2.4
Data from WhoScored / Premier League
Tackle % | Aerial % | Long passes p90
VVD : 100% | 74% | 5.4
Ramos : 88% | 66% | 7.8
Vidic : 88% | 69% | 4.1
Puyol : 85% | 65% | 3.7
Terry : 81% | N/A | 2.4
Data from WhoScored / Premier League
Van Dijk clear ahead for defensive abilities and he’s second to Ramos for long passes p90
Note that those were season stats and not career if you forgot.
Stats to judge CB aren’t the best but the first 2 (tackling and aerial) are pretty good
Note that those were season stats and not career if you forgot.
Stats to judge CB aren’t the best but the first 2 (tackling and aerial) are pretty good
Van Dijk had the best prime season for a CB of the last 15 years
Now I still think the primes of Figueroa and Beckenbauer are better could even throw Maldini but Van Dijk 18/19 is definitely a top 5 prime season ever for a center back
Now I still think the primes of Figueroa and Beckenbauer are better could even throw Maldini but Van Dijk 18/19 is definitely a top 5 prime season ever for a center back
Why don’t people agree ?
1) Van Dijk 18/19 season was recent and some people are sure that there “must” be better seasons
2) He’s a Liverpool player
3) Some get scared because they think I mean overall
I’ll come back in 5 years when his prime will finally get recognition
1) Van Dijk 18/19 season was recent and some people are sure that there “must” be better seasons
2) He’s a Liverpool player
3) Some get scared because they think I mean overall
I’ll come back in 5 years when his prime will finally get recognition
