When it comes to quantifying what makes the best defender it's no longer as easy to decide on the main factors. Defensive ability itself is useful, but perhaps no longer as sought after as traits such as crossing or set piece threat.
This isn't just a fullback thing either, centre backs in a three man backline need to be ball players and carriers as well as systematically sound. It's a factor to modern day football which is still a grey area. Whereas some defenders were born to keep the ball out of the goal in anyway possible, some have special attacking characteristics that suit them to aggressive positioning and forcing the opposition back.
Thomas Tuchel likes a perfect blend, as does everyone, the defensive gold is a technically gifted player that is aware and snuffs out danger, but nobody has been able to clone Thiago Silva yet.
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As Tuchel and Chelsea look to add a world class defender to their squad they have already come across a scattering of multitalented defensive players. First was Matthijs De Ligt, more of an old school centre half but still with a range of passing and effective dribbling, then came Jules Kounde in a move that might still happen, the Frenchman is a more versatile option.
The Sevilla man can play across a back three in any spot and also at rightback and wingback too. His speed, control and technical excellence would make him a welcome addition for Tuchel. football.london also understands that one target for Todd Boehly has gone under the radar, 26-year-old Bayern Munich man, Benjamin Pavard.
He is another versatile defender who is comfortable at centre back and right back, and amid the reports linking him with a move to Stamford Bridge he has compared himself to Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“A defender must first defend well," said the French international earlier this year. "On paper, Pavard may be less sexy than [Achraf] Hakimi, [Trent Alexander] Arnold, but I find that defensively I am more complete.”
His decision as a more natural central defender, as opposed to Alexander-Arnold's hybrid fullback-come-wide midfield position, is that defensive traits are more desired and important than the attacking components of his game. This is understandable, Alexander-Arnold has more assists, 12, last season than Pavard does in his professional domestic league club career, seven.
Given that Pavard's role is very different to that of Jurgen Klopp's demands for Alexander-Arnold, his shouldn't be a surprise. However, with the Bayern player on Chelsea's radar and Tuchel interested in him, setting his stall out as a safety first style player might be exactly what attracts the Londoners to him.
“My position is a central defender. It always has been," he continued. "This is where I feel most comfortable, where I take the most pleasure. This is where I find myself the best. I think we see more of my qualities in this position. If the great coaches put me on the right side, it is because they have confidence in my abilities.”
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