hard to pick Robbies best pick, but seems to be Luiz, JT, Gary C then Ivan...........but not sure thats our best choice - so if we break it down (not scientific at all) I'd go with JT & Cahill - as on strengths for each key element they come out on top in my book as;

defensive heading - GC, JT, Luiz, Ivan

attacking heading - GC, JT, Ivan, Luiz

positional - JT, Ian, GC, Luiz

tackling with no foul - GC, JT, Ivan, Luiz

pace - Luiz, GC, Ivan,JT

breaking out defence and not losing possession - JT, GC, Luiz, Ivan

accurate diagonal pass - pretty level

accurate quick long to feet pass - Luiz, GC, JT, Ivan

long ball over the top - Luiz, JT, GC, Ivan

so you can argue every line but if you want the nest (proper) defenders its JT & GC every time - sorry Luiz fans but centreback not his best position (Brazil must be wrong to)

postscript - midweek Luiz was awful

I definitely think you have the heading ability wrong...Luiz is very good in the air and wins a lot of crosses whereas Cahill tends to just flatten people

I think based on this season so far, the best defense from left to right would be:

Cole--Terry--Cahill--Ivanovic

On the topic of CB's, I don't think Luiz should be playing there based on the last couple of weeks. He seems to be struggling there at the moment, although having said that I definitely think he can improve and he has decent pace. Ryan Bertrand has the potential to be a fantastic replacement for Ashley Cole also.

Edited November 9, 201213 yr by omnidroid70

Jt is #1, no doubt, and I actually see Gary Cahill becoming his successor. However, i still think Luiz is a great player all round. He reminds me of a young Percy, and I hope he can develop into the defender he's shown he can be.

I would argue that JT is by far our best header of the ball and long passer out of defence. Both feet as well (right Liam?)

defensive heading - JT, GC, BI-DL

attacking heading - JT, GC, BI-DL

positional - JT, GC, DL, BI

tackling with no foul - JT, GC, DL, BI

pace - DL, GC, BI, JT

breaking out defence and not losing possession - JT, GC, BI, DL

accurate diagonal pass - JT, DL-GC-BI

accurate quick long to feet pass - JT, DL-GC-BI

long ball over the top - JT, DL-GC-BI

JT is the best in pretty much every department except athleticism. Overall I'd rank them JT, GC, DL, BI.

Edited November 10, 201213 yr by CunningStunt

Who the hell is Ian? And if his positional sense is that good he better be getting a game sooner rather than later!!