Jordi Alba

[Garrus]

At the very least Alba has pace. Alves really has nothing to boast defensively

In terms of defensive 'skill', Alves is better without question, But he lags behind when it comes to pace, And since both of them are high up the pitch, Many times it'll come down to pace, Not that he's a 'worse' defender than alba.

 

[DonAndres]

In terms of defensive 'skill', Alves is better without question, But he lags behind when it comes to pace, And since both of them are high up the pitch, Many times it'll come down to pace, Not that he's a 'worse' defender than alba.

By 'skill' if you're referring to positioning/marking then I disagree on all levels. Alves often leaves his marker to run free and then makes a last ditch sliding attempt at stopping him, often leading to fouls. He tackles wildly, can't track back many times, or leaves the player who he should be marking free

 

[JamDav1982]

Alba's far from a great defender but Alves has been atrocious this season. There are very few people who would agree that Alves has been above Alba, as poor as both are.

The one game that Barca looked like not getting cut to ribbons evry time Madrid broke, guess who was not playing?

Alves as he has done quite a few times got the better of Ronaldo in that match.

 

[JamDav1982]

By 'skill' if you're referring to positioning/marking then I disagree on all levels. Alves often leaves his marker to run free and then makes a last ditch sliding attempt at stopping him, often leading to fouls. He tackles wildly, can't track back many times, or leaves the player who he should be marking free

Everything you have described there Alba does even more wildly!

 

[DonAndres]

Everything you have described there Alba does even more wildly!

Far from it. Even the stats you so often cling to show that Alves commits many more fouls than Alba and gets beaten in dribbles twice as much.

 

[JamDav1982]

Far from it. Even the stats you so often cling to show that Alves commits many more fouls than Alba and gets beaten in dribbles twice as much.

Ha, how can Alba get dribbled if he is never in defence? The point is how much space he leaves.

 

[DonAndres]

Ha, how can Alba get dribbled if he is never in defence? The point is how much space he leaves.

And Alves leaves less space??? He's always advanced so far up the pitch he could be considered more of a right winger than a fullback. He's definitely caught up the pitch more often than Alba.

 

[JamDav1982]

And Alves leaves less space??? He's always advanced so far up the pitch he could be considered more of a right winger than a fullback. He's definitely caught up the pitch more often than Alba.

No he isnt.

Alba makes forward runs that basically no other full back in the world tries.

Not only does he bomb forward but he also tries to get in behind the opposition CBs!

 

[DonAndres]

Alba bombs forward, Alves STAYS forward

 

[JamDav1982]

Alba bombs forward, Alves STAYS forward

What a load of rubbish.

It genuinely like you have never seen him play.

He gets up and down the pitch like no other fullback in world football.

By your reckoning Alba should dominate in distance covered etc.

 

[DonAndres]

.....I've never seen them play? I know what I see during the games but you clearly don't. Go through all the pages of Montoya/Alves/Alba threads and you'll see endless complaints of either Alves' crossing or Alves' defending from so many people who watch Barca rather than relying on Whoscored stats

 

[JamDav1982]

.....I've never seen them play? I know what I see during the games but you clearly don't. Go through all the pages of Montoya/Alves/Alba threads and you'll see endless complaints of either Alves' crossing or Alves' defending from so many people who watch Barca rather than relying on Whoscored stats

Alves crossing?

He has the best crossing stats in the team. Even though I admit it is poor.

Relied on whoscored stats? You were first one that has relied on them in this debate.

Alba is a terrible defender and not as good as Alves. Open your eyes.

 

[DonAndres]

Alves crossing?

He has the best crossing stats in the team. Even though I admit it is poor.

Relied on whoscored stats? You were first one that has relied on them in this debate.

Alba is a terrible defender and not as good as Alves. Open your eyes.

Ok sure you're right and everyone else who watches the team is wrong, that's exactly what's going on here.

 

[JamDav1982]

Ok sure you're right and everyone else who watches the team is wrong, that's exactly what's going on here.

Everyone?

 

[DonAndres]

Everyone?

Perhaps not everyone. There are one or two who somehow actually believe Alves is the superior defender, but a very very large majority