Nemanja Vidic is the most important defensive player in the Premier League
With Rio Ferdinand's injury in the last few weeks the significance of Nemanja Vidic has become all the clearer. For me he is the best defensive player in the Premier League with tremendous anticipation skills, heading ability, strength, aggression, presence, passing accuracy and mobility. His ability at set-pieces to time runs and direct power headers on target are also a massive asset.
His partnership with Rio Ferdinand is arguably the best club centre-back partnership in the world. I think this has been an understated vital factor in Man Utd's successive Premier League title wins plus Champions League triumph. For sure Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez et al have been fantastic in maintaining the Ferguson tradition of exciting attacking football - but its all the easier for these great expressive forward players to perform when they know they have Ferdinand and Vidic keeping it solid and aggressive at the back.
My positive thoughts about the contribution of Vidic has been somewhat justified by the seamless way Man Utd have continued to keep clean sheets in the absence of his England international centre-back partner. In fact, this recent period supports my belief that despite my admiration for Ferdinand it is actually Vidic who is the most important defensive player to Man Utd, and, moreover is the most important defensive player in the Premier League
Do you agree that Nemanja Vidic is now the best defensive player in the Premier League? If you have alternatives it would be good to know.
posted by T at 1/16/2009 01:14:00 pm
EFT match of the season for 2008/2009: Barcelona construct a masterclass footballing performance to defeat the reigning Champions League holders and current English champions, Manchester United, by a scoreline of 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome
EFT player of the season for 2008/2009: Chelsea central midfielder, Frank Lampard
EFT player of the month for May 2009: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for April 2009: Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for March 2009: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for February 2009: Phil Jagielka (Everton)
EFT player of the month for January 2009: Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)
EFT player of the month for December 2008: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for November 2008: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for October 2008: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for September 2008: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for August 2008: Amr Zaki (Wigan Athletic)
EFT match of Euro 2008: Turkey's amazing comeback from two goals down to beat Czech Republic 3-2 as captain Nihat Kahveci's two goals in the last three minutes sensationally put his country through to the quarter finals at the expense of their beaten opponents
EFT player of Euro 2008: Spain (anchor) central midfielder, Marcos Senna
EFT match of the season for 2007/2008: Liverpool win titanic Champions League quarter-final second leg 4-2 against Arsenal that also saw two of the best football moments of the season - Fernando Torres' top corner strike and Theo Walcott's thrilling run across the whole of Anfield.
EFT player of the season for 2007/2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for May 2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for April 2008: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
EFT player of the month for March 2008: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for February 2008: David James (Portsmouth)
EFT player of the month for January 2008: Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for December 2007: Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers)
EFT player of the month for November 2007: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for October 2007: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for September 2007: Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for August 2007: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for May 2007: Carlos Tevez (West Ham Utd)
EFT player of the month for April 2007: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for March 2007: Carlos Tevez (West Ham Utd)
EFT player of the month for February 2007: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for January 2007: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for December 2006: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for November 2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for October 2006: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton Wanderers)
EFT player of the month for September 2006: Andrew Johnson (Everton)
EFT player of the month for August 2006: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth)
EFT match of World Cup 2006: Italy win a thrilling 'end-to-end' World Cup semi-final 2-0 against Germany courtesy of two late extra time goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro del Piero 
EFT player of World Cup 2006: Italy captain and centre-back, Fabio Cannavaro
EFT match of the season for 2005-2006: Liverpool win the FA Cup final 3-1 on penalties against West Ham after a Steven Gerrard-led fighback saw the Anfield side recover from 2-0 and 3-2 down to level the match in normal time
EFT player of the month for May 2006: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for April 2006: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for March 2006: Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
EFT player of the month for February 2006: Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Middlesbrough)
EFT player of the month for January 2006: Jason Roberts (Wigan Athletic)
EFT player of the month for December 2005: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for November 2005: Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for October 2005: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for September 2005: Danny Murphy (Charlton Athletic)
EFT player of the month for August 2005: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
EFT match of the season for 2004-2005: Liverpool win Champions League final 3-2 on penalties against AC Milan after sensationally recovering from 3-0 down to level the match in normal time
18 Comments:
Hello, greatings from Iceland :D me and my friends are massive united fans and we think nemanja is a vital part of our team and agree that he is the best centre back and defender overall in the league, if not the world :D
He's like a robot in the backline.
Kristó
1/16/2009 2:12 pm
Good to have your comment Kristo!
1/16/2009 3:18 pm
banana hammock
1/16/2009 7:48 pm
I agree with T. I just wish Rafa was able to snap him up, like he intended to do so.
1/17/2009 12:06 pm
Skipper, I never knew that Vidic was originally a target for Liverpool. If thats right it shows that the Benitez scouting team is excellent at spotting a very good centre-back. For me Skrtel is very much in the Vidic mould.
1/18/2009 11:05 am
After moaning for three consecutive seasons that Arsene has not learned the lesson that an airtight defence wins titles & cups, I am sad to agree that Vidic is probably a class above most others. In fact I would say that he & Ferdie are the only difference in the two teams.
1/19/2009 1:11 pm
When Mr Wenger stops playing with kids and learns to beef up his team as others leave, then he will learn his lesson, but with you Gooner lot he doesnt need to learn anything, he's magnificent!! Now you guys cant get results (dont say Hull one result counts nothing), you start moaning. Anyone told you you would struggle for this season oyu would have laughed in his face. Now we can laugh in yours!
11th or 12th clean sheet for Man U, coming for our title again, we're a juggernaut and nothign can stop us. And Rio and Vid arent the only players, matey. Ronaldo, Roon, Tevez, Anderson, you aint got it and have lost it. Arsenal? Arse-all, down the drain. Nothing.
1/19/2009 1:30 pm
Anon - with respect what's the point in being provacative? I'm sure you have better things to do. There are other forums who like to promote pointless antagonism - not here because its tiresome.
1/19/2009 3:07 pm
Nothing 'provocative' about it - Gooner comes on and says Rio and Vid are the only differences between Arse-all and us - overlooking Ronnie, Roon, Tevez, Giggs and Scholes, Van der Sar, Anderson, Brown....need I say more? Moaned for three seasons, same amount of time the last time Arse-all won anything. Dont compare, you're a spent force and the formidable plan has not come off, simple as.
1/19/2009 5:16 pm
OK Anon - I don't see the need for adopting that particular tone but respect you taking the time out to explain why.
1/20/2009 12:12 am
You see 't' that these 'sudden' supporters with little knowledge of the game and even less grace cannot read between the lines. My comments were made from the knowledge that Arsenal have recently beaten ManU with 6 first team players out, and two of them for nearly a year. Look at the panic in Manchester when it was announced that Rooney will be out for up to 3 weeks. My other point is that despite ManU being prepared to buy trophies by shipping in a couple of new superstars every six months, we still give them and the Chelski's a good run. Unlike most of the support for ManU/Chelski/Liverpool ours comes from the local area and did not join just because we spend.
I repeat, the only difference between the two teams is a very good defence. Stats show that AFC were only four points behind the title last year and that was entirely down to our leaky defence and of course the extra defender ManU always have in the officials!
The main point of pride I have in AFC apart from not being prepared to buy success is that the whole footballing world want to play like Arsenal the club who make super stars and do not buy them.
1/20/2009 9:33 am
Sorry 't' I forgot to answer the list given by 'Anon from?' Of all the players he listed I would not swap one for any of ours. In fact Vidic is the only player they have that would improve our 'full' squad. My opinion and not that of a few of your fans who send in their thoughts.
In fact I would say that player for player the following are as good as any anywhere. Rosicky,Walcott, Adebajour, Nasri, Toure, Fabregas, Clichy,Sagna,Bentner,Vela & Ramsey although Im not a Gallas fan he would replace Neville easily. Add Vidic to that lot and AFXC would be 6 points clear at the top.The big difference is that Arsene has so many star kids nearly ready that did not cost mors than £0.5mill and most cost Nil ie: Simpson, Barazite, Wilshire,Hoyte, Lansbury, Murphy, Gibbs,Merida, Watt, Traore, Gilbert, and many more. Carry on Arsene and AFC you are doing us proud.
1/20/2009 9:47 am
OK< goonerPet, remember when Arse-all played football? yea, looked good but got nowhere. Nice. Everyone cooing up and down the country and yet where did it get them? Nowhere. Fans calling for Arsene's petite ass, yea I call that football, I call that supporting, we dont boo our own players like the scouse cocks you dont even like our own Nice.
Doesnt matter what you say we have won trophies and trophies mean winning. do we look like were panicking??????? top of the league Tevez and Berba, its the plan son the plan got a rooney in tevez and you have to come to Theatre of DReams mate we are formidable indestructible you would love tobe us now and you wont so suck on that and chew jealousy gets you somewhere.....mental!
First you said rio and vidic now its vidic well see you have your lot who cant defend and we keep our clean sheet crewe yeah? Big difference is we can get players who can take over and you havent and what about buying? £16m on Arshavin, one player who can save the day.....hahahahahah!! shut up. oen player for the season just so the gooner mob can shut up and stop booing the players takes Arsene cowering for cover
You can run along with your tails sticking out now we in the house! I repeat were top of the league!! You can kiss the likes of the uefa cup lot for seasons to come! Jealuousy, jealuousy
1/20/2009 10:51 am
It would be nice for someone to learn some humility, and I'll be frank in stating I have come across that quality in low quantities, in some cases none, when exchanging with a Man Utd fan. My EFT colleague Abdul is a major exception, a Man Utd fan and yet one who displays none of the quite moronic traits that a big number of Man Utd fans I have come across actually display.
Anon (10.51AM), you are clearly not an exception. An example.
There have been some annoying, quite incomprehensible comments left here, and when you have others who scoff at the odd slip, punctuation, spelling mistake found during articles, it makes me look back and think 'are you really making a fuss over that when there are worse things being mentioned outside of the site?'
Now Anon, Man Utd have been successful the past years since the Premiership began. Was that a coincidence? A new era in English football and a change of champions from Liverpool. Ferguson took over in '86, I would like to know of those who were supporting Man Utd then, through to this nearing dismissal, through the Premiership and now. Two decades.
I would hope to be speaking to someone in their thirties, not a teenager, not an adolescent. Not those who jumped on the wagon as it was populated by the majority. True supporting fans. Because they seem to be the more constructive talking, analysing, thinking fans. Not the type that comment the drivel seen here by Anon.
Some people don't care about comprehension, spelling, grammar, making solid points, technical explanations. They just like to splurt out their ridicule, bile, rant. Gloating, perhaps. No humility. At every, any, all corners, whether it be football or food shopping, the constant gloating is too much a resisting factor to hold onto. Anon (10.51AM) refers.
I don't have jealousy, because one wins by victories, and they do so by scoring one goal more than the oppositon either on the day or night or over an aggregate. That is why I don't feel the better team on paper will always be the victor. Anyone at anytime during the game can score from any position with any touch. From those who are at multi-million pound value to those who regularly emerge in the reserves.
You consider that so far, Man Utd have squeezed 0-1 or 1-0 wins via Sunderland, Wigan, Stoke, Bolton, with their multi-million pound squad (£90m+ considering their striking talent). The Chelsea mauling was down more to Chelsea's poor showing than Utd's good one.
The showing off puts me off people. Most only talk when their team is winning, otherwise they cannot see the woods for the trees. Ask them an opinion on the current football status in the English leagues, and they're stuck. As them for a little run-down on their team and they can only provide so much. Otherwise, there's a need to gloat and ridicule. Moronic mentality, you might as well revert to a neanderthal.
Just wish there was more of the constructive points-of-view than the now casual flirting of gloating and ridicule being abound at the moment. You can rest assured that if that was Liverpool with the achievements, you wouldn't find me of such a deplorably stature. 100%.
RedsMan.
1/20/2009 5:26 pm
"Cool, impartial, observant, thinker; Honest, trustworthy, companion drinker; Listener, helper, and prime negotiator; Wise teachings at hand if one is a hesitator"
Is that you, mate?? hahahahahahahahahaha Pity your fat waiter isnt as cool as you think you are, might have been top of the league right now.
Champions of England, Champions of Europe, Champions of the World!! We are the most powerful team in the world!! No scouse twats, Goonergits can beat thatnow!! So you can all kiss that goodbye and Liverpool, you aint winning anything witht hat fat turd!
Adios, mi amigos!!
1/20/2009 9:38 pm
Well said Redsman..I wish Id said that. Just look at the intelligent answer it provoked! The only fault I found in your article was the spending total of Manure (£90+).
in Millions,Rooney £24,Berba £28, Teves so far (£7 &£23 to pay) Ronaldo £12, Anderson & Nani total £32, Evra £11, Vidic £12, Ferdinand £25?, and £32 mill for the two England Midfielders. A rough total of £183 mill not including the two serbs signed last week for £16 mil the pair.
get over it our big brave Manchunian ??? from??? If your lucky you and your club will learn to win with the grace of Liverpool and Arsenal. then we will take you serously.
1/21/2009 9:29 am
My £90m+ was in reference to their known strikers. I understood Rooney was sold to Utd for £31m, Berbatov was £30.75m and Tevez, though it has not been agreed and paid yet, is valued at £32m. The same £90m+ strikers who mustered one goal at Anfield whilst starting together, while we had both Gerrard and Torres out.
But Anon can easily correct us on those figures, being an astute fan for so long. He'll know about his club's business. I would expect. Provided he can muster a few intelligent words to sieve through the spiel he has currently provided.
RedsMan.
1/21/2009 11:17 am
Can't put it better - as always the case - than both Redsman and GunnerPete.
Disappointing stuff... you will find that your way is not the way to go if you want respect and self-respect... that's the point we are trying to make. Take it constructively.
1/21/2009 11:45 am
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