Looks to me like it is Materazzi that is being doubted in our team. But really, I don´t think that we doubt Materazzi any. It´s just that Nesta is the best central defender in the world and if we could get him, it´s something we would wanna do. I do not take the words about Lucio too seriously, since I believe that Materazzi is better than Lucio.
But back to the odd thing then...
Since Nesta is more of a sweeper kind of player and not a manmarker like Cannavaro and Cordoba, it becomes natural that Materazzi who is the same kind of defender that Nesta is, would be the one that would leave if Nesta signed. Most teams in Italy wanna have one defender with pace and manmarking skills and one defender that are good in the air and a good passer and organizer.
It would be unfair to say that either Cordoba or Materazzi is weaker. They are both worldclass, but IMO Cordoba is better and can only become better. Cordoba has all the skills that is needed in a central defender. Although he is short, he is very good in the air. He´s also the fastest defender in Serie A. That is a thing Materazzi lacks right away - pace. Cordoba is also a great leader and can be in charge of a defence if he had to. He proved that when he played with Sorondo and he had to be the defender that was organizing the defence.
Cordoba doesn´t play so brutal as Materazzi does either, but still Cordoba is being more sent off. That´s because of him arguing with the referees. Not because of brutality.
So for me, the "weak" link is Materazzi, but I can´t say it is weak at all. Materazzi rules and it´s ONLY Nesta I would ever prefer over a guy like Materazzi.
Lucio would be a crap transfer though. He´s not THAT impressing defensively. And he too has similarities with Materazzi so if we are interested in Lucio it is even more obvious that we are looking for a player like Materazzi and not Cordoba. If we were to replace Cordoba we would go after Canna, I believe.
Nontheless, having Cordoba and Materazzi as central defenders would be one of the best in the world anyway. I don´t know how many clean sheets we had this season when they played togheter. So IMO, we don´t HAVE to replace anyone of them, but I guess it´s the temptation of having the best defender in the world (Nesta) in the team that is too strong to ignore it.
So to me, I don´t see it as we are displeased with Materazzi. This is ONLY because of it is Nesta and Nesta only. And I don´t buy the Lucio thing.
But back to the odd thing then...
Since Nesta is more of a sweeper kind of player and not a manmarker like Cannavaro and Cordoba, it becomes natural that Materazzi who is the same kind of defender that Nesta is, would be the one that would leave if Nesta signed. Most teams in Italy wanna have one defender with pace and manmarking skills and one defender that are good in the air and a good passer and organizer.
It would be unfair to say that either Cordoba or Materazzi is weaker. They are both worldclass, but IMO Cordoba is better and can only become better. Cordoba has all the skills that is needed in a central defender. Although he is short, he is very good in the air. He´s also the fastest defender in Serie A. That is a thing Materazzi lacks right away - pace. Cordoba is also a great leader and can be in charge of a defence if he had to. He proved that when he played with Sorondo and he had to be the defender that was organizing the defence.
Cordoba doesn´t play so brutal as Materazzi does either, but still Cordoba is being more sent off. That´s because of him arguing with the referees. Not because of brutality.
So for me, the "weak" link is Materazzi, but I can´t say it is weak at all. Materazzi rules and it´s ONLY Nesta I would ever prefer over a guy like Materazzi.
Lucio would be a crap transfer though. He´s not THAT impressing defensively. And he too has similarities with Materazzi so if we are interested in Lucio it is even more obvious that we are looking for a player like Materazzi and not Cordoba. If we were to replace Cordoba we would go after Canna, I believe.
Nontheless, having Cordoba and Materazzi as central defenders would be one of the best in the world anyway. I don´t know how many clean sheets we had this season when they played togheter. So IMO, we don´t HAVE to replace anyone of them, but I guess it´s the temptation of having the best defender in the world (Nesta) in the team that is too strong to ignore it.
So to me, I don´t see it as we are displeased with Materazzi. This is ONLY because of it is Nesta and Nesta only. And I don´t buy the Lucio thing.
