1. Radio Times has compiled a list of the top 10 best defenders in the world in 2023, based on long-term success and current level of ability.
2. The list includes players such as Theo Hernandez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joao Cancelo, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Achraf Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk, Ruben Dias, Marquinhos and David Alaba.
3. David Alaba is ranked as the best defender in the world due to his complete package of attributes and impressive honours list.
The article "Best defenders in the world 2023" by Radio Times provides a list of the top 10 defenders in the world, based on their long-term success and current level of ability. The article acknowledges that it is challenging to create such a list as different types of players bring different qualities to the game. However, the article claims to have factored in silverware, key stats, and x-factor to form its list.
One potential bias in this article is that it focuses mainly on European football leagues and players. While some non-European players are mentioned, such as Marquinhos from PSG and Achraf Hakimi from Morocco, there is little mention of players from other regions such as South America or Asia. This could be due to a lack of knowledge or interest in these regions' football leagues.
Another potential bias is that the article seems to prioritize attacking qualities over defensive ones when evaluating defenders. For example, Theo Hernandez from AC Milan is praised for his attacking abilities and described as "arguably the most exciting left-back in world football thanks to his dazzling dribbles." Similarly, Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool is lauded for his "outrageous range of passing and crossing," despite criticism of his defensive abilities. This focus on attacking qualities may overlook important defensive skills that are crucial for a defender's success.
The article also makes unsupported claims about certain players' abilities without providing evidence or context. For example, it describes Joao Cancelo from Bayern Munich as "tidy with his feet" and having won "plenty of plaudits for his range of passing," but does not provide any specific examples or statistics to support these claims.
Additionally, the article presents only one side of the argument when evaluating each player's strengths and weaknesses. For example, while Virgil van Dijk from Liverpool is praised for his past successes with Liverpool and individual awards, there is no mention of his recent injury and subsequent decline in form. This one-sided reporting may lead to an incomplete or biased evaluation of each player.
Overall, while the article provides an interesting list of top defenders in the world, it is important to consider its potential biases and limitations when evaluating each player's abilities and achievements.