The ten best performing defenders of the World Cup.
The World Cup has been full of goals already, but in amongst all of the net-busting strikes there have been some fine defensive displays, believe it or not. Using Squawka‘s scoring system, we have collected the ten best shot stoppers of the tournament so far.
10. Gary Cahill – England
Games: 2
Interceptions: 1
Blocks: 0
Clearances: 20
Total: 21
It’s amazing to think that an England player has made it into a top ten list of anything this year, but the Chelsea stopper has stepped into his role as England’s most prominent defender with consummate ease. Shame about the results, though, eh?
9. Sokratis Papastathopoulos – Greece
Games: 2
Interceptions: 4
Blocks: 2
Clearances: 15
Total: 21
The Greeks have become synonymous for their air tight defences at major tournaments in recent years. Whether it’s because they lack any real threat up front, or whether defenders just emerge naturally to Greek football is unknown, but the Borussia man has been the stand out star so far.
8. Giancarlo Gonzalez – Costa Rica
Games: 2
Interceptions: 5
Blocks: 1
Clearances: 16
Total: 22
Costa Rica have undoubtedly been the shock team of the tournament so far, and one of the reasons they have kept it so tight at the back is thanks to Gonzalez, who has marshalled the back line to keep a lid on two of the best front lines at the whole World Cup.
7. Umana – Costa Rica
Games: 2
Interceptions: 4
Blocks: 0
Clearances: 18
Total: 22
Lined up alongside Gonzalez, Umana’s presence in the centre has helped Costa Rica bat away any impending attack to concede just one solitary goal in the face of strong forward threats like Edinson Cavani and Mario Balotelli. England are next.
6. Giorgio Chielini – Italy
Games: 2
Interceptions: 8
Blocks: 1
Clearances: 13
Total: 22
Despite Italy’s shock defeat to Costa Rica on Friday, the Italian colossus is understandably already one of the top defensive performers at the tournament. Should Italy progress the Juve star will have a good chance of being the best defender at the whole show.
5. Mario Yepes – Colombia
Games: 2
Interceptions: 5
Blocks: 2
Clearances: 15
Total: 22
The veteran star has been the lynchpin at the back for the popular South Americans, who are finally being tipped to show what they’re capable of at a major tournament after so many disappointments. Yepes in 38 now, and subsequently one of the oldest at the tournament, though, not he’s not even the oldest in his own team.
4. Sol Bamba – Ivory Coast
Games: 2
Interceptions: 5
Blocks: 1
Clearances: 16
Total: 22
The former Leicester City star has been so ably protected by Yaya Toure that when he has been called upon he has been ready to deal with whatever has come his way. However, he is in danger of picking up too many booking as his physical style of play isn’t so kindly accepted at the World Cup.
3. Meynor Figueroa – Honduras
Games: 2
Interceptions: 6
Blocks: 0
Clearances: 18
Total: 24
Defending is one thing that the Hondurans do well, despite two defeats that have now ended their involvement in the tournament. However, the Hull stopper has shown his class and his calm, collected personal performances have shown just why he is so high on the list.
2. Jorge Guagua – Ecuador
Games: 2
Interceptions: 2
Blocks: 0
Clearances: 23
Total: 25
The Ecuadorian has been an unsung hero for the side so far this summer, and despite an opening day defeat to Switzerland, the South Americans have given themselves a strong chance of qualifying as they head into their final game with the mighty France.
1. Gary Medel – Chile
Games: 2
Interceptions: 4
Blocks: 2
Clearances: 21
Total: 27
The best defender in the tournament has actually been a defensive midfielder, as Medel has put a difficult domestic campaign behind him to run out as one of the stars of the tournament so far. Unfairly cast as a violent player, he has left the reputation behind him to display his true class in the centre of a talented midfield unit.
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