PROFILE FOOTBALL STAR

Showing posts with label Soccer profile ( Defenders ). Show all posts

Friday, December 19, 2008

William Gallas

Name: William Gallas
Nationality: French
Date and Place of Birth: Born August 17, 1977 in Asnières-sur-Seine, France
Playing Position: Defender
Current Club:

Arsenal (English Premier League)
Club Career: 1995-1997 Caen
1997-2001 Olymipique Marseille
2001-2006 Chelsea
2003-present Arsenal
International Career: 2002-present - France
About William Gallas:

William Gallas was born in 1977 and has grown to become one of the strongest defenders playing in the English Premiership. Gallas began his career at then French Second Division side Caen and his impressive and commanding performance contributed in the club achieving promotion in 1996.

With Gallas impressing in defence it wasn’t long until bigger clubs were interested in securing his signature and he decided to join Marseille in 1997. At Marseille Gallas again proceeded to inspire from the back and he became a key member of the team. At Marseille Gallas received the opportunity to play at the highest level of European football in the Champion’s League.

Gallas moved to English Premier League side Chelsea in 2001 and soon developed an imposing partnership at the back with Desailly and John Terry. At Chelsea Gallas honed his abilities developing into one of the best and strongest defenders in the Premiership and contributed to Chelsea securing the Premier League title in both 2005 and 2006.

However, Gallas wasn’t happy at Chelsea and stalled in signing a new contract expressing a desire to play in Italy. Despite AC Milan and Juventus being interested in Gallas Chelsea refused to accede to his transfer requests. Following the 2006 FIFA World Cup Gallas did not show up for a pre-season tour with Chelsea and it was obvious that he was anxious to leave the club. Gallas finally got his wish in September 2006 when he signed for Arsenal and he soon established himself as a integral member of the London club being rewarded with the Captain’s armband in August 2007.

Gallas plays his international football for France and is a regular member of the squad and he has participated in both Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals.

Roberto Ayala

Name: Roberto Ayala
Nationality: Argentinian
Date and Place of Birth: Born April 14, 1973 in Paraná, Argentina
Playing Position: Centre back
Current Club:

Real Zaragoza (Spanish La Liga)
Club Career: 1991-1994 Ferrocarril Oeste
1994-1995 River Plate
1995-1998 SSC Napoli
1998-2000 AC Milan
2000-2007 Valencia
2007 Villareal
2007-present Real Zaragoza
International Career: 1994–2007 - Argentina
About Roberto Ayala:

Roberto Fabian Ayala was born in Argentina in 1973 and he has succeeded in establishing himself as one of the most well respected and talented footballers in world football. Since the beginning of his long and illustrious career Ayala has developed a keen sense of defensive awareness becoming one of the most reliable central defenders in modern day football.

Ayala was interested in football from a young age and early on his natural talent was prevalent. Ayala began his professional career at Ferrocarril Oeste and his strong commanding performances led him to stand out in the team and it wasn’t long until he moved to the bigger club of River Plate. At River Plate Ayala continued to impress and his motivation combined with his defensive strength brought him to the attention of Italian club Napoli. However, after spending only three years at the club Ayala transferred to Italian giants AC Milan to further his career.

At AC Milan Ayala received the chance to showcase his talents on the European stage and play with the one of the most successful clubs in world football. Ayala moved onto Spanish side Valencia in 2000 and it was here that he enjoyed the best successes of his career. At Valencia Ayala reached two UEFA Cup finals in 2000 and 2001 only to lose on both occasions to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively. After coming so close to success Ayala finally secured silverware at Valencia lifting the La Liga title in the 2001-02 season and the UEFA Cup and La Liga title in the 2003-04 season.

Ayala left Valencia for fellow Spanish side Real Zaragoza at the beginning of the 2007-08 season after Valencia failed to offer him a new contract. Ayala has continued to impress and is still widely regarded as one of the top defenders currently playing in European football.

Ayala plays international football for the Argentina national squad and has come to be regarded as one of the best defenders in the Argentinian football history. Ayala is the most capped ever to play for Argentina and he has recently announced his retirement from international football following Argentina’s loss to Brazil in the 2007 Copa America.

Rio Ferdinand

Name: Rio Ferdinand
Nationality: English
Date and Place of Birth: Born November 7, 1978 in Peckham, London, England
Playing Position: Centre Back
Current Club:

Manchester United (English Premier League)
Club Career: 1995-2000 West Ham United
2000-2002 Leeds United
2002-present Manchester United
International Career: 1997–present - England
About Rio Ferdinand:

Rio Ferdinand is one of the best current English defenders competing in world football. Rio Ferdinand had a natural talent for the game of football from an early age and his ability and strength led him to be scouted by English side QPR. However, despite interest from QPR, Ferdinand signed for West Ham United as a schoolboy in 1992.

Rio Ferdinand progressed through the youth system at West Ham and impressed turning professional at the club. Ferdinand’s strong and commanding performances in defence soon earned him a call up to the senior side in May 1996 and he excelled in his new role. Ferdinand’s development at West Ham was rewarded as he was awarded Hammer of the Year in the 1997-98 season and was hailed as one of the hot young prospects.

Ferdinand’s impressive performances caught the interest of Leeds United and he signed for the club in November 2000 for £18 million becoming the world’s most expensive defender. At Leeds Ferdinand continued to improve and his natural defensive awareness coupled with his commanding presence led him to be given the captain’s armband in August 2001.

In July 2002 Rio Ferdinand moved to fellow English club side and Leeds United rival, Manchester United, again becoming the world’s most expensive defender. At Manchester United Ferdinand quickly settled in becoming an integral member of the squad and helping the club to secure the Premiership title in his first season.

Ferdinand has continually impressed at Manchester United with strong, reliable and consistent performances and recently enjoyed success as the club lifted the 2006-07 League title. Rio’s talents during the season were rewarded as he was included in the PFA Premiership team of the season along with seven other Manchester United team mates.

Ferdinand plays for the England national side and first made his senior debut in November 1997. Ferdinand has been included in the England squads that have participated in the 1998 World Cup, 2002 World Cup and 2006 World Cup and is an integral member of England’s defensive set up.

John George Terry

Name: John George Terry
Nationality: English
Date and Place of Birth: Born December 7, 1980 in Barking, London, England
Playing Position: Defender
Current Club:

Chelsea (English Premiership)
Club Career: 1998–present Chelsea
International Career: 2003–present - England - current England captain
About John Terry:

John George Terry was born in London, England on 7th December 1980 and was spotted by Chelsea while playing for a local Sunday League team. Terry joined the Chelsea youth system and soon flourished under the club’s coaching regime playing for both Chelsea’s Youth and Reserve teams as a midfielder. Due to a shortage of central defenders Terry was moved to centre-half the position which he commands to this day for both club and country.

Terry made his first team debut for Chelsea on 28th October 1998 in a League Cup tie against Aston Villa. However, despite a promising start Terry became involved in an incident in a London nightclub and was charged with assault and afray. Terry was later cleared but during the controversy he had received a temporary ban and this effectively cost him a place in England’s 2002 World Cup squad.

It was the 2001-2002 season when John Terry began to set his stamp in the Chelsea team as a regular fixture. He made 23 starts and was voted the club’s player of the year and had a taste of things to come when he was handed the captaincy for the first time. In the 2003-2004 season with Desailly out of the side Terry was handed the captaincy in his absence and established himself as a genuine contender for a first time place with strong defensive performances.

When Desailly retired Terry was the obvious choice to take over as club captain and new Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho agreed and duly awarded him the captain’s armband. This led to a positive result with Chelsea lifting the FA Premier League title at the end of the 2004-2005 season with a lot of the success attributed to the well organised defence under the guidance of Terry.

Terry, along with team mates Lampard and Cech, is widely recognised as one of the integral links in the clubs success with Terry emerging as the fans favourite as a home grown player who came through the ranks from the youth academy. This season controversy has brewed surrounding Terry’s future with the club as he has failed to agree new contract terms. Terry has laid many a fan’s worries to rest by publicly reiterating his loyalty to Chelsea and pledging his future to the club.

Terry is the current captain of the England team cementing his place with convincing performances for club and country. He was part of the England 2006 World Cup squad and despite England being put out in the quarter-finals, Terry became the only English player to be named in the tournament's all-star squad.

Fabio Cannavaro

Name: Fabio Cannavaro

(Nickname: Il muro di Berlino (The Berlin Wall) )
Nationality: Italian
Date and Place of Birth: Born September 13, 1973 in Naples, Italy
Playing Position: Centre-back
Current Club:

Real Madrid (Spanish La Liga)
Previous Clubs: 1992-1995 S.S.C. Napoli
1995-2002 Parma F.C.
2002-2004 Inter Milan
2004-2006 Juventus F.C.
2006-present Real Madrid
International Career: 1997-present Italy
About Fabio Cannavaro: Fabio Cannavaro currently plays for Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga and is noted as being captain of the Italian national side who lifted the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Cannavaro is widely considered in footballing circles as one of the best central defenders in the world today.

He is renowned for his technical skill and his characteristic ability to read the game allowing him to make precise tackles together with well timed interceptions. At a height of five feet nine and a half inches Cannavaro cannot be considered as tall but his ability to leap high allows him to compete with any crosses into the box, both when defending and attacking.

Cannavaro has played for various Italian teams throughout his career before his move to Real Madrid in summer 2006. He was born in Naples and his talent was quickly spotted by local football scouts. He made his professional debut for Napoli on 7th March 1993 against Juventus. He moved to other Italian teams before signing for Juventus in 2004. At Juventus together with Thuram and Buffon he formed one of the most successful defensive line ups in Serie A enabling him to win his first Scudetto with Juventus in 2005.

In the aftermath of the World Cup win Juventus were relegated to Serie B and stripped of their 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 Scudetti for match fixing. Cannavaro officially became a Real Madrid player on 25th July 2006 wearing the number five jersey which had previously belonged to Zinedine Zidane.

In the 2006 World Cup he was named in the All Star team of the tournament and never received either a yellow or a red card in any of the matches he played in. The Italian national team conceded only two goals throughout the entirety of the tournament one of which was an own goal and the other a penalty. Cannavaro lifted the World Cup on behalf of his team on 9th July 2006 on the night of his 100th cap for his country signalling an achievement for his hard work and determination.

Daniel Alves

Name:
Daniel Alves da Silva
Nationality:
Brazilian
Date and Place of Birth:
May 6, 1983 in Juazeiro, Brazil
Playing Position:
Right back, Right Winger
Current Club:

Barcelona (Spanish La Liga)
Club Career:
2001–2002 EC Bahia
2002–2008Sevilla
2008 - present FC Barcelona
International Career:
2006-present Brazil
About Daniel Alves:

Daniel Alves da silva more commonly known as simply Daniel Alves is a Brazilian maestro who at only 24 years of age has established himself among the elite of European footballers.

Alves began his professional career in his home country of Brazil at Brazilian club side EC Bahia. His flourishing natural ability and talent were prevalent from the outset and his impressive performances soon had European clubs chasing his signature. Daniel Alves moved to Sevilla in 2002 on a six month loan but after putting in some sterling performances in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships his move was made permanent.

Alves has established himself as a firm fixture at Sevilla and an integral member of the team. In 2006 he was linked with a transfer to English Premiership side Liverpool but a move never materialised with Sevilla eager to hang onto their rising star. Alves pledged his future to Sevilla and signed a contract keeping him at the club until 2012.

The 2006-07 season was a highly successful one for Alves with the Brazilian youngster heavily contributing to Sevilla's 2007 UEFA Cup win against fellow Spanish side Espanyol in a hotly contested final.

Despite Alves pledging his future to Sevilla he has been linked with a move to various European teams such as AC Milan and Chelsea due to his dazzling displays of both strength and ability.

At international level Alves plays for the Brazilian national team and recently earned his first cap in October 2006. His quick progression into a major footballing star can be emphasised by looking at his performances in the Copa America 2007 for Brazil where he contributed both an assist and a goal in the final against Argentina helping to ensure Brazil lifted the trophy.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Ashley Cole

Name: Ashley Cole
Nationality: British
Date and Place of Birth: Born December 20, 1980 in Whitechapel, London, England
Playing Position: Left back
Current Club:

Chelsea (English Premier League)
Club Career: 1999-2006 Arsenal
2006-present Chelsea
International Career: 2001-present England
About Ashley Cole:

Ashley Cole was born in Whitechapel, London in 1981 and has succeeded in establishing himself as one of the strongest and well respected left backs in England. Ashley Cole showed a talent and a passion for the game of football from an early age receiving his big break as a teenager signing for local club side Arsenal.

At Arsenal Ashley Cole’s outstanding defensive abilities were developed further and at just eighteen he made his full senior debut for Arsenal. After a brief loan period at Crystal Palace Cole returned to the fold at Arsenal and he waited for a chance to prove himself at the highest level. When Silvinho was injured along came the chance that Cole had been waiting for and he was drafted into the first team. Cole excelled in his new role and his strong defensive capabilities coupled with his ability to attack down the left wing made him Arsene Wenger’s first choice even after Silvinho returned to full fitness.

Cole tasted success at Arsenal as the club secured the Premier League trophy in both 2002 and 2004 along with the FA Cup in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Cole also gained European experience as Arsenal reached the final of the 2006 Champion’s League only to suffer defeat at the hands of Barcelona.

In 2005 Ashley Cole was involved in a scandal surrounding a possible transfer to fellow English Premier League side Chelsea. Cole had made inappropriate contact with Chelsea while he was still an Arsenal player and he was found guilty by the Premier League and received a fine of £100,000. After the saga Cole signed a one year extension to his Arsenal contract but it seemed his days at the club were numbered. Just over a year after signing the extension Cole became a Chelsea player as William Gallas moved in the opposite direction.

At Chelsea Ashley Cole has established himself as an integral member of the first team. Cole’s strong performances for the London club have led him to be considered as one of the best left backs playing in the English Premiership.

Cole plays his international football for the English national team since first making his debut for the senior side in 2001 against Albania. Cole has been a regular member of the England squad that has participated in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals and Euro 2004.

Alessandro Nesta

Name: Alessandro Nesta
Nationality: Italian
Date and Place of Birth: Born March 19, 1976 in Rome, Italy
Playing Position: Centre Back
Current Club:

AC Milan (Italian Serie A)
Club Career: 1993 - 2002 SS Lazio
2002 - present AC Milan
International Career: 1996 - 2007 Italy
About Alessandro Nesta:

Alessandro Nesta has succeeded in establishing himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world by playing outstanding football for both Lazio and AC Milan during his long illustrious career. Nesta's ability was prevalent from an early age and he joined Lazio's youth academy in order to hone his emerging skills. During his spell at the youth academy Nesta played in various positions until finally deciding he was strongest in defence. Given Nesta's positional skills coupled with an aggressive tackling ability it wasn't long until he was promoted to Lazio's senior squad.

At Lazio Nesta soon solidified his position as a first team regular with impressive defensive performances and earned maximum respect at the club when he was named captain in 1997. At Lazio Nesta tasted success lifting the Coppa Italia, UEFA Cup Winners Cup and the Scudetto during his time there. However, as a result of financial pressures at Lazio Nesta was transferred to fellow Serie A club AC Milan in 2002.

At Milan Nesta continued to impress and in his first year at his new club he succeeded in lifting the Champion’s League playing a vital role throughout the competition. Nesta grew steadily in stature and popularity becoming widely renowned as one of the best defenders in the world and he was again duly rewarded for his efforts lifting a Champion’s League medal in 2007 defeating English side Liverpool in the final. To the relief of AC Milan fans Nesta has pledged his allegiance to the club signing a new contract keeping him at the club to 2011.

Nesta made his debut for the Italian national team in 1996 and since this date he has become a regular for the first team. Nesta was a key member of the squad that qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup but he suffered an injury early in the competition and thus played no further part in Italy’s eventual win. Nesta recently announced he was retiring from international football and his absence will be sorely missed in the Italian team.

Lúcio

Name: Lúcio
Nationality: Brazilian
Date and Place of Birth: Born May 8, 1978 in Brasília, Brazil
Playing Position: Defender
Current Club:

FC Bayern Munich (German Bundesliga)
Club Career: 1997-2000 Internacional
2000-2004 Bayer Leverkusen
2004–present Bayern Munich
International Career: 2000-present Brazil
About Lúcio:

Lucimar Ferreira Da Silva, more commonly referred to as simply “Lucio” in the football world, was born in Brazil in 1978. At an early age Lucio impressed showing great resilience and composure in the defensive role despite first trying his luck as a striker. His emerging talent was noticed by club side Internacional Porto Alegre who signed Lucio in 1997.

At Internacional Lucio developed and honed his talent as a strong and commanding defender pulling strings from the back line. Lucio’s impressive performances led to interest from German club side Bayern Leverkusen who signed him in 2000. At Leverkusen Lucio soon became an integral member of the first team impressing with strong defensive displays coupled with an ability to push forward quickly.

Lucio’s strong displays with Bayern Leverkusen drew attention from arguably Germany’s largest club, Bayern Munich. Lucio signed for Bayern Munich in 2004 and has developed his role as one of the club’s most influential players. Lucio’s strength and composure at the back has led many to consider him as one of the best defenders currently playing in Europe.

Lucio plays international football for the Brazilian national team and was part of the Brazilian squads that competed in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. Lucio is regarded as one of Brazil’s best central defenders and in 2006 he was awarded for his efforts as he received the Captain’s armband.

Ricardo Carvalho

Name: Ricardo Carvalho
Nationality: Portuguese
Date and Place of Birth: Born May 18, 1978 in Amarante, Portugal
Playing Position: Defender
Current Club: Chelsea (English Premiership)
Club Career:

1998-2004 FC Porto
2004-present Chelsea
International Career: 2003-present Portugal
About Ricardo Carvalho:

Ricardo Alberto Silveira Carvalho was born in Portugal in 1978 and as a player rose through the youth ranks at FC Porto to become a well-respected and established central defender in European football.

Carvalho showed an emerging talent as a footballer at an early age and his potential was evident leading Porto to take him on. Carvalho’s strength and vision developed at Porto and following some brief loan periods to other clubs Carvalho became a settled player at Porto. By the 2003-04 season Carvalho was a key member of Porto’s defensive line and enjoyed success lifting the Portuguese Super Liga title and the UEFA Champion’s League title with the club.

Carvalho has received great experience both in domestic and European competitions impressing on all levels as a strong commanding defender who is hard to break down. His performances at the back earned him to be voted the Best Defender in the Champion’s League for the 2003-04 season. His resilience as a defender led to interest from major European clubs and he decided to sign for Chelsea in 2004.

At Chelsea, under his former boss Jose Mourinho, Carvalho quickly settled into the English Premiership helping his new team to secure the Premier League title and the League Cup in his first season. A period of decline ensued during the 2005-06 season as Carvalho struggled to make it into the first team regularly but this was soon forgotten as he earned his place in the side back and was an avid participant in Chelsea’s Champion’s League campaign. Recently, Carvalho signed a five-year contract extension with Chelsea and has been recognised by the club as a key player being nominated for the club’s Player of the Year which was eventually won by Michael Essien.

Ricardo Carvalho has played for the Portuguese national side since first making his debut against Albania in October 2003. Carvalho is a key member of the Portugal team and has been a part of the squads that participated in Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup where he was nominated for the All Star Team of the Tournament.