David De Gea reveals the best players in various categories he has played with and against

David De Gea picks the best teammates and opponents he has played with and against

Manchester United goalkeeper, David De Gea, has revealed the names of players he considers the best in various categories. In an interview with Manchester United’s official website, the Spanish goalkeeper picked a player he has played with and a player he has played against, in accordance with the attributes.

We take a look at De Gea’s choices ranging from fastest player to the best finisher he has played with and against.

Fastest Player with: Antonio Valencia

David De Gea chose Antonio Valencia as the fastest player he has played with. Valencia is the fastest footballer according to a FIFA study which featured in Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo. He was recorded running at a speed clocking 35.1 km/hr.

Surprisingly, the Ecuadorian is faster than the likes of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are renowned worldwide for their speed with and without the ball. Due to his astonishing speed, Valencia has been used as a wing back by Louis Van Gaal various times during his reign at Old Trafford.

Fastest Player against: Gareth Bale

Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale is the fastest player De Gea has faced

When asked who is the fastest player he has played against, De Gea said, “That’s a tough one, but I think it's Gareth Bale.” Statistically speaking, Bale is the second fastest player after Valencia, so we can say that the Spaniard has got his choices right here.

De Gea has not seen much of Gareth Bale, though. He has played a couple of matches against the Welsh star when he was at Tottenham. Bale failed to score in any of the meetings. So, it is fair to say that De Gea has happy memories of the fastest player he has played against.

Fittest Player with: Rafael

David De Gea named his ex-Manchester United teammate Rafael as the fittest player he has played with. Rafael played at right back for United during Sir Alex’s last years at the club.

“Rafa is the fittest because he has the most stamina,” De Gea said. Rafael started the maximum number of matches after Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie in Sir Alex’s last season. He also completed full 90 minutes in most of the matches, which clearly shows how fit the Brazilian can be.

Rafael left Manchester United for Lyon this summer and it was revealed that he was allowed to leave Old Trafford because Louis van Gaal did not like him.

Fittest Player against: Cesar Azpilicueta

De Gea picked his Spanish teammate and Chelsea player Cesar Azpilicueta as the fittest player he has faced. Azpilicueta is just about the perfect full-back for modern day football. He has the pace to match that of the wingers and is equally strong to tussle with the forwards. Playing on the left with Chelsea, he brings an all new dimension to the attack as well with his never ending stamina.

Azpilicueta and De Gea are yet to face each other this season with Chelsea travelling to Old Trafford after Christmas.

Toughest Tackler with: Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs

Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs won numerous trophies at Old Trafford

Shockingly, De Gea picked Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes as the toughest tacklers he as played with. Normally, one does not consider Scholes and Giggs as great tacklers of the ball. The Spaniard has played with defenders such as Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand who were widely considered to be some of the best tacklers of the ball around.

But, he chose to pick the United legends, saying, “It'd be Scholes or Giggs. Both went in hard!"

Toughest Tackler against: No one specific

The Spaniard did not name anyone as the toughest tackler who has played against him. He argued that goalkeepers don’t get tackled so it is hard for him to take any names.

He said, “I don’t know. Keepers don't often get tackled!”

Best Passer with: Paul Scholes

Well, this choice cannot be so hard if you have played with Paul Scholes. He controlled the game like very few other midfielders in the world can.

Paul Scholes has received praise from every corner of the football world. Zinedine Zidane, Xabi Alonso, Xavi Hernandez, Luis Figo, Roy Keane, George Best are some of the many football legends who have heaped praise on Paul Scholes and his ability to orchestrate the play. So, it was no big surprise that De Gea named him as the best passer he has ever played with.

Best Passer against: Xabi Alonso

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso was named by De Gea as the best passer he has played against. Most recently, De Gea was up against his Spanish teammate when Manchester United faced Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in the round of 16 during the 2012/13 season. Manchester United failed to win the match as Cristiano Ronaldo scored on his return to Old Trafford.

Best finisher with: Javier Hernandez

De Gea named his close friend Javier Hernandez as the best finisher he has played with. This might seem a bit prejudiced given the fact that he has shared the dressing room with some of the great finishers around. Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Sergio Aguero (at Atletico Madrid) are some of the other good finishers he has played with.

Chicharito is currently plying his trade at Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga after he was no longer a part of Van Gaal’s plans.

Best Finisher against: Samuel Eto’o

Samuel Eto’o scored a hat-trick against De Gea

When quizzed about the best finisher he has played against, he replied, “It's hard, there are so many. I'll say Samuel Eto'o.”

Eto’o famously scored a hat-trick against Manchester United, with De Gea between the posts. So, mentioning him as the best finisher he has ever faced must have hurt. Eto’o is currently playing for Antalyaspor in Turkey.

Edited by Staff Editor