World Transfer Records: Fabio Coentrao and the Top 10 Most Expensive Defenders
It is usually said that strikers win games, but defenders win championships. ย
If that were true, I'm sure we'd have a lot more transfers worth โฌ30 million or more for defenders.
Real Madrid has just spent that same amount on Benfica's Portuguese left back, Fabio Coentrao. Many fans and media analysts are already criticizing the move as being way too expensive for a defender.ย
What is true, though, is that Coentrao's transfer sits comfortably with the Top 10 most expensive defenders of all time.
Want to find out who else is with him?
Let's take a look at the list.
10. Sergio Ramos
1 of 10Year: 2007
Position: Centre Back, Right Back
From: Sevilla FC
To: Real Madrid
Fee: โฌ27 million
Sergio Ramos came at a hefty price for Real Madrid to become Hierro's successor.
They signed French youngster Raphael Varane from RC Lens for โฌ10 million to accomplish that same task, so I think it's fair to say "The New Hierro" hasn't been found yet.
9. Joleon Lescott
2 of 10Year: 2009
Position: Centre Back, Left Back
From: Everton FC
To: Manchester City
Fee: โฌ27.5 million
Really? โฌ27.5 million for Joleon Lescott?
If there's one name that doesn't belong on this list, it's this one.
Joleon has progressed to become the Citizens' best bench-warmer ever.
If that's what City wanted, then it's certainly money well spent.
8. Fabio Coentrao
3 of 10Year: 2011
Position: Left Back
From: SL Benfica
To: Real Madrid
Fee: โฌ30 million
Madrid's new signing, and eighth most expensive transfer ever (actually, he's tied for fifth with four other players worth โฌ30 million), is expected by many to fight it out with Marcelo for Real's left-back position.
I actually believe Jose Mourinho has something up his sleeve and could be using his new signing as a right back insteadโleaving our 10th most expensive defender ever, Sergio Ramos, to play inside with Carvalho and Pepe.
He'll definitely have to prove his worth though.
7. David Luiz
4 of 10Year: 2010
Position: Centre Back, Left Back, Right Back
From: SL Benfica
To: Chelsea FC
Fee: โฌ30 million
This is the second season in a row that Benfica sells one of their defenders for โฌ30 million, then.
David Luiz is a fantastic defenderโat least in potential and raw talent.
He'll have to mature mentally to prove he was worth what Chelsea paid for him, though.
To do that, it's a good thing he can start in any position on the back line.
6. Pepe
5 of 10Year: 2007
Position: Centre Back, Defensive Midfielder
From: FC Porto
To: Real Madrid
Fee: โฌ30 million
The Real mad-man has been a hot-and-cold affair at the Santiago Bernabeu.
One day he's the best defender in the world and a dominating presence wherever he plays.
But the very next day, he might get injured for a long spell or get red-carded for his (almost criminal) aggressive style of playing football.
Still, I believe he has been worth every penny.
5. Ricardo Carvalho
6 of 10Year: 2004
Position: Centre Back
From: FC Porto
To: Chelsea FC
Fee: โฌ30 million
The former Porto man was worth every penny for his time at Chelsea.
Ricardo Carvalho has been a consistent feature as a top defender for the last seven years.
If you're paying โฌ30 million for someone, you have to expect to get someone like Carvalho.
4. Alesandro Nesta
7 of 10Year: 2002
Position: Centre Back
From: SS Lazio
To: AC Milan
Fee: โฌ30.5 million
Alessandro Nesta was the man who bench-marked the โฌ30 million price for top defenders.
He's one of the all-time greats already, and while his price was considered exorbitant in 2002, it could be considered cheap by today's standards for someone with Nesta's quality.
3. Lilian Thuram
8 of 10Year: 2001
Position: Right Back, Centre Back
From: FC Parma
To: Juventus
Fee: โฌ36.5 million
The World Cup winning Frenchman (and the oldest transfer on this list) was the most expensive defender ever in 2001 for โฌ36.5 million.
He was mainly a right back then, and was the position's most costly player.
Until a certain Brazilian came along, that is...
2. Dani Alves
9 of 10Year: 2008
Position: Right Back
From: Sevilla FC
To: FC Barcelona
Fee: โฌ41.5 million
Dani Alves cost Barcelona a whopping โฌ41.5 million.
It's actually impressive that nobody talks about how expensive he wasโproving that he's worth exactly what Laporta paid for him in the first place.
Right now he's the undisputed best right back in the world, and you'd have to pay a lot more than โฌ40 million to get his services.
1. Rio Ferdinand
10 of 10Year: 2002
Position: Centre Back
From: Leeds United
Fee: โฌ46 million
Rio Ferdinand should always be advertised like a fine brand: "The world's most expensive defender since 2002."
Manchester United spent โฌ46 million for the Leeds defender; some could argue he's been worth every penny.
I don't think we'll see this record broken any time soon and Rio could keep him for a very long timeโunless an unexpected transfer comes from completely out of nowhere and breaks it.
Follow me on Twitterย @ehrli
.png?w=480)
.png?w=600 "Tatum's IG Story for Brown ๐ฅน")
.png?w=600 "Exec Rips JB Analytics Talk")
