Euro 2012 Top 10 Defenders

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In the second installment of our “Top 10 Countdown” of Euro 2012, we’ll be looking at the defence.


Over the course of the next 10 slides, we’ll consider just who makes the cut in terms of the tournament’s best pedigree amongst defenders.
As was explained in part one, these selections are based entirely on individual performance and don’t depend on the success of the player’s nation in international competition.


Also, each squad is still limited to just one nomination, giving each participating country the fairest chance of inclusion.
Lets get this show on the road.


1. Philipp Lahm



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With Germany being unanimously pinned as favourites to topple current champions, Spain, from off of their throne, it seems only fitting that their captain take the honour of first position on this list.
Philipp Lahm is just about the only assured fixture in the German defence with the likes of Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Holger Badstuber and Per Mertesacker all showing signs of inconsistency.
That being said, the 28-year-old is one of the best fixtures that a manager could ask for and with him marshaling the rest of Die Mannschaft’s back four, Germany can risk a degree of comfort in their approach.
With five assists in an incredible 50 appearances for Bayern last season, Lahm was a key factor in the club’s run to the Champions League final, as well as their tight-knit league encounter with Borussia Dortmund.
Operating from either side of the defence, Lahm is nearly as much of a helping hand in attack as he is in defence; an attribute that opposing sides would be careful to look out for if they are to prevent him contributing to his optimum.
That being said, “nearly” is the key word there and it’s the pint-sized leader’s devoted defensive diligence that makes him one of, if not the best in the world at what he does.

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2. Sergio Ramos



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As current World Cup and European champions, Spain’s nomination for this list was always going to be very highly placed.
Were it not for the injury that ruled him out of the tournament, it could well have been Carlos Puyol who took the spot, but it wasn’t to be.
Gerard Pique was the other candidate, but Sergio Ramos is the man who ultimately gets the nod after playing a massive part in Real Madrid’s La Liga-winning campaign.
It’s the 26-year-old’s versatility that makes him the superior choice above his teammates after having shown his ability to feature as both a top-class centre-back as well as a potentially destructive full-back.
In your average understanding of what a defender is, to call Ramos “attacking” would be an understatement.
In a season where he made 51 starts for his club, Ramos managed to score four goals along with a generous six assists in turn.
As is the case with goalkeepers, it can often be seen that defenders look more glamorous than their individual talent suggests due to the abundance of skillful players around them.
However, having first turned heads during his days at Sevilla more than seven years ago, it’s safe to say that Ramos is an incredible power all on his own and will feature prominently for Spain in Poland and Ukraine.

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3. Ashley Cole



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Whether you hate to love him or love to hate him, the controversial figure of Ashley Cole is still amongst the best players in the world in his position.
Shooting Chelsea trainees with an air rifle, having numerous run-ins with the law, maintaining an eight-year “on again, off again” relationship with Cheryl Tweedy—Ashley Cole has done it all.
However, no matter the amount of disturbance that would block his path, the Premier League veteran has rarely let off-the-field incidents affect his performances on it.


At 31 years old, the argument is still there that Cole is in the prime of his career—a statement backed up by the player’s performances for the Blues in their triumphant Champions League run.
With speed as his natural ally, it will be intriguing to see whether or not Cole is able to link up with his England teammates down the left touchline as efficiently as he has done at Stamford Bridge.


This is, of course, made all the more intriguing when you consider that it could be the stuttering form of Stewart Downing—a player who managed barely two assists for Liverpool last season—playing with Cole as his partner on the left flank.
With Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard both out of the squad, Cole will be one of the most senior figures in the England squad and will have to lead along with Chelsea teammate John Terry if his side are to succeed in Poland and Ukraine.

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4. Giorgio Chiellini

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Fresh off the trail of a Scudetto victory, Giorgio Chiellini was a monumental figure for Juventus in the 2011-12 campaign where the club won their first Serie A title for seven years.

Italy’s defensive play has been a key feature in their game for some time now, and with Chiellini leading their back line this summer, Cesare Prandelli can feel assured that that will remain the case at Euro 2012.

The 27-year-old will team up with several members of his Juventus side in Poland and Ukraine, hoping to produce similar form as they face a tough group against Croatia, the Republic of Ireland and, of course, Spain.

Although Juve's successful season can't be attributed to one player, Chiellini was massive in the centre of defence all season long, and that isn't specifically in reference to his height.

Amidst the controversy involving match-fixing in Serie A, it will up to several figures in the Italian dressing room (Chiellini being one of them) to ensure that the player's heads are screwed on right as they head into this competition.

Despite Italy’s disappointing run of results heading into the tournament, the Azzurri will be striving to return to the World Cup-winning form of 2006—a feat in which Chiellini will be vital if it is to be achieved.

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5. Gregory van der Wiel



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After emerging as an Eredivisie talisman in the 2008-09 season, Gregory van der Wiel has slowly evolved into one of the premier full-backs in European football on both the club and the international scale.
This is evident in the fact that Chelsea have been linked with a move for the defender for around a year now.
The Ajax right-back was a massive component in Ajax’s 2011-12 campaign that saw them retain the Eredivisie title.
Despite being just 24 years old, Van der Wiel has already accumulated an impressive 184 appearances for the Dutch outfit and it seems as if he is unlikely to remain at the club long enough to add to that tally.
The wing-back has done enough on the club scale to remain the first-choice right-back under Bert van Marwijk for the last three years now and while the Netherlands defence isn’t their strongest asset, Van der Wiel’s helping hand in attack will be a very common sight in Poland and Ukraine.
Thanks to a three-month injury this season, Van der Wiel made just 18 league starts for Ajax this season but still managed an impressive four assists as well as two goals playing out of defence.