World Transfer Records: Fabio Coentrao and the Top 10 Most Expensive Defenders

It is usually said that strikers win games, but defenders win championships.  

If that were true, I'm sure we'd have a lot more transfers worth €30 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. 

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

Year: 2007

Position: Centre Back, Right Back

From: Sevilla FC

To: Real Madrid

Fee: €27 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 €10 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

Year: 2009

Position: Centre Back, Left Back

From: Everton FC

To: Manchester City

Fee: €27.5 million

Really? €27.5 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

Year: 2011

Position: Left Back

From: SL Benfica

To: Real Madrid

Fee: €30 million

Madrid's new signing, and eighth most expensive transfer ever (actually, he's tied for fifth with four other players worth €30 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 instead—leaving 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

Year: 2010

Position: Centre Back, Left Back, Right Back

From: SL Benfica

To: Chelsea FC

Fee: €30 million

This is the second season in a row that Benfica sells one of their defenders for €30 million, then.

David Luiz is a fantastic defender—at 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

Year: 2007

Position: Centre Back, Defensive Midfielder

From: FC Porto

To: Real Madrid

Fee: €30 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

Year: 2004

Position: Centre Back

From: FC Porto

To: Chelsea FC

Fee: €30 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 €30 million for someone, you have to expect to get someone like Carvalho.

4. Alesandro Nesta

Year: 2002

Position: Centre Back

From: SS Lazio

To: AC Milan

Fee: €30.5 million

Alessandro Nesta was the man who bench-marked the €30 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

Year: 2001

Position: Right Back, Centre Back

From: FC Parma

To: Juventus

Fee: €36.5 million

The World Cup winning Frenchman (and the oldest transfer on this list) was the most expensive defender ever in 2001 for €36.5 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

Year: 2008

Position: Right Back

From: Sevilla FC

To: FC Barcelona

Fee: €41.5 million

Dani Alves cost Barcelona a whopping €41.5 million.

It's actually impressive that nobody talks about how expensive he was—proving 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 €40 million to get his services.

1. Rio Ferdinand

Year: 2002

Position: Centre Back

From: Leeds United

To: Manchester United

Fee: €46 million

Rio Ferdinand should always be advertised like a fine brand: "The world's most expensive defender since 2002."

Manchester United spent €46 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 time—unless an unexpected transfer comes from completely out of nowhere and breaks it.

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