Sportskeeda Football Awards 2014: Defenders of the Year

Defenders are the unsung heroes in a football team. On a personal level, I think they don’t even get the plaudits the goalkeepers receive these days. Goalkeepers get a lot of appreciation when they make incredible saves, especially when they are match saving. Take for example the praises that were showered upon Manuel Neuer for his performance at the World Cup or David De Gea for his incredible saves that have saved many points for Manchester United or Iker Casillas whose incredible performance against Dortmund last season kept Real Madrid in the Champions League. Of course, forwards and midfielders are always in the spotlight because they get to score and display their flamboyant skills to the spectators.In comparison to this, the interceptions and tackles the defenders make are not given the credit they deserve. For example, Jerome Boateng is in the form of his life now, but fans and pundits alike talk more about Manuel Neuer than the defenders ahead of him, who do bulk of the dirty work. So we take a look at some of the best defenders in the calendar year 2014 and give them the credit they deserve.Honourable Mentions: Marcelo, Raphael Varane, Jordi Alba, John Terry, Dani Carvajal, Dani Alves, Branislav Ivanovic and Vincent KompanyStatistics taken from Squawka.VOTE at the end of the slideshow for the best defender of 2014.

#1 Sergio Ramos - Real Madrid and Spain

The Real Madrid star had a year to remember after winning many individual awards as well as team honours. His year got off to a great start after making the FIFProXI for 2013, which was his third inclusion in succession and fourth overall. Ramos was an undisputed starter in the Real Madrid team, thereby forcing Pepe and Varane to fight for the right to partner him.

His best moment of the year came in the final of the UEFA Champions League when he headed in a goal against city rivals Atletico Madrid in the dying minutes of the game to take the game to extra time. If it wasn’t for his goal, Real Madrid would have surrendered another chance to win their tenth Champions League title.

Ramos was also named the La Liga’s best defender for the previous season and he has carried his form from the previous season into the ongoing one. He was also in the shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or and is nominated for the FIFPro XI for 2014.

#2 Pablo Zabaleta - Manchester City and Argentina

Unlike many of the Manchester City players who came to the club for hefty transfer fees, Zabaleta joined the club in 2008 for just £6.45 million. The Argentine slowly and steadily improved his game and his incredible consistency and ability to go forward and defend equally well has made him the first choice right-back for the Citizens for a while now.

This has also forced players like Bacary Sagna, Micah Richards and Maicon to sit on the bench and watch the Argentine put in stellar performances. Zabaleta was an important part of the Manchester City side that won the domestic double last season and started every game for Argentina at the 2014 World Cup where they reached the final and finished runners up to Germany.

#3 Pepe - Real Madrid and Portugal

Pepe was discarded to the bench during the final season of his compatriot Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. But after the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu, the former Porto man has found his feet once again. Pepe’s return to form has kept the promising and skillful Raphael Varane on the bench for a major part of the previous and the current season.

The Portuguese had a World Cup to forget, where his head-butt on Thomas Muller saw him get sent off and end any chance of a Portugal comeback in their opening group stage game against the Germans. But for his club, Pepe has been a rock at the back.

So far this season, Pepe has made 15 tackles, 23 interceptions, 50 clearances and 6 blocks in just 12 league games – all of this while making no defensive errors.

#4 Per Mertesacker - Arsenal and Germany

Mertesacker is often criticized heavily for his lack of pace, but when he does his job at the back more often than not, he is not given the credit he deserves. The German is the only Arsenal defender among the current lot who has not been out for lengthy spells with injuries, thereby making him a very important member of the squad.

He was a key member of the Arsenal side that won the FA Cup last season when they beat Hull City in the final. Mertesacker was also part of the German team that played at the World Cup, starting and finishing all the group stage matches as well as the first knockout fixture.

He came on as a half-time substitute for Mats Hummels against Brazil in the semi-final and as a last minute substitute for Arsenal team mate Mesut Ozil in the final against Argentina as the Germans were crowned world champions.

#5 Thiago Silva - PSG and Brazil

The former AC Milan star has been in great form for both club and country this year. His importance to his side was highlighted when Brazil lost to Germany in the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup. Silva missed the match through suspension and an unorganized Brazilian defence was run over by Germany who put seven goals past the hapless Brazilians. Despite losing the third place game, he was named in the World Cup’s All Star and Dream team.

Silva captained PSG to a domestic double last season and was also part of the Ligue 1 Team of the Year. He has recovered from some minor injury setbacks this season and has made 11 tackles, 16 interceptions, 63 clearances and 6 blocks in just eight league games.

#6 Jerome Boateng - Bayern Munich and Germany

Jerome Boateng is in the form of his life at present. The Bayern Munich centre back recently set an individual record of playing 50 games without tasting defeat – winning 44 and drawing just six. The former Manchester City man has become Pep Guardiola’s first choice defender at the Allianz Arena and Boateng has repaid his manager’s faith in him with his performances on the pitch, helping his side to a domestic double last season.

Boateng started every game for Germany at the FIFA World Cup and completed all but one of them as his side were crowned champions. His versatility proved to be a vital asset for German manager Joachim Lowe as injuries to some players forced Lowe to play Lahm in midfield in some games.

Boateng filled in at right-back for Germany and he played in that position against Portugal and kept the dangerous Cristiano Ronaldo at bay throughout the game.

#7 Philipp Lahm - Bayern Munich and Germany

Philipp Lahm is among the rare breed of footballers who get better and better with age. The Bayern Munich captain led his club to a league and domestic cup victory last season, but more importantly led Germany to a World Cup triumph in Brazil.

Lahm who was often moved to a central midfield role under Pep Guardiola, excelled in his new position with relative ease and played with his usual charisma when he was deployed in his favoured right-back position. The German captain started and finished every game for his nation in Brazil and switched between the right-back role and the defensive midfielder role throughout the tournament.

The German is currently out for a while with an injury, but nevertheless he has been in great form in the games he has played this season, scoring two goals and providing two assists.

#8 David Alaba - Bayern Munich and Austria

Alaba started his career as a central midfielder but has been a revelation after he was moved to a left-back position. The Austrian is easily one of the best full-backs in the game today. And at the young age of 22, we may not have seen the best from him yet.

The Austrian is a set piece specialist and this adds to the artillery he brings to the German side. But don’t get the wrong impression, because even though his attacking prowess is incredible, he is equally good at defending and surprisingly better than what is usually expected from a converted full-back.

Alaba, like many of fellow teammates in the Bayern side, is currently out injured. But the pacey full back has still played 10 league games this season making 9 tackles, 18 interceptions and 11 clearances without making a single defensive error.

#9 Diego Godin - Atletico Madrid and Uruguay

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone emphasizes on good defending and Deigo Godin has been a key figure in keeping the Atletico defence organized, keeping things tight at the back.

The Uruguayan, who is known for his no-nonsense approach to defending, also scored some very important goals this year. His first one was against Barcelona on the final matchday of the previous season. The goal was crucial as it drew the game and snatched the La Liga title from Barcelona and gave it to Atletico Madrid.

His second one was against Real Madrid in the final of the UEFA Champions League which almost won the game for them and the third was against Italy in the final group stage game at the World Cup which helped Uruguay qualify for the knockout phase.

Godin has played 14 league games this season and made 15 tackles, 41 interceptions and 74 clearances. These figures are amazing for any defender.

#10 Mats Hummels - Borussia Dortmund and Germany

Hummels didn’t enjoy domestic success like the other defenders on this list, but the German has done enough and more to get a spot here. He started all but one game for his nation at the World Cup and scored two goals at the tournament – one against Portugal in their opening game and another in a 1-0 win over France in the quarter-final that helped Germany progress.

Hummels was nominated for the Golden Ball at the tournament and was included in the tournament’s All-Star team and dream team. He has been in and out of the Borussia Dortmund side due to injuries, but his recent return from injury had initially helped his side pull themselves out of the relegation zone.