Manchester United have tonight made a bid of £26.8 million for Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid. He is said to have actively told the Spanish club of his desire to complete the transfer to Old Trafford and “likes the project” at United (Graham Hunter on SSN).
He is one of the best defenders, if not one of the best players in world football – so how does he compare to United’s three current primary centre-backs, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones?
Experience/Silverware
Since joining Real Madrid from Valencia in 2005, Ramos has made 433 appearances for Los Blancos – winning 3 league titles, 2 Copa Del Rey trophies, 2x Supercopa de Espana, the Champions League and the UEFA Supercup. He has also won two European Championships and a World Cup with the Spanish national team.
Marcos Rojo played in the 2014 World Cup final for his country but was on the losing side. He is yet to win anything with Argentina, which puts him in the same boat as Phil Jones and Chris Smalling for international accolades, as England haven’t picked up a trophy since 1966.
The trio have played a combined 306 games for United, well below Ramos’ tally for Madrid. He would certainly add experience and leadership at the back, which the Red Devils have lacked somewhat since the departures of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra.
2014/15
The season just gone was an extreme disappointment for United and Madrid alike – as neither of the European giants were able to get their hands on any trophies. Madrid watched Barcelona and Atletico win everything they were vying for, whilst United weren’t involved in Europe, were dumped out of the FA Cup by ex-red Danny Welbeck of Arsenal and saw Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea storm to the league title.
The players themselves however can be pleased with their seasons as individuals. Smalling improved dramatically as the season went on and Sergio Ramos was characteristically world-class for his side.
(all stats are per 90 minutes and only apply to league games in 2014/15)
Interceptions: Phil Jones was the best interceptor of the ball in the league in 2014/15, comfortably ahead of the other three players. Sergio Ramos was just edged by Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo, so based on Squakwa’s data from last season, all three of United’s current centre-backs are better at making interceptions at the back.
Yellow cards: Ramos also has the worst yellow card record – averaging one every two games in 2014/15. His discipline has been mentioned as a subject of worry among United fans but it is worth remembering that Nemanja Vidic wasn’t the most well-behaved player either and he did alright. Smalling was the best-disciplined player with 0.10 bookings per 90 minutes.
Goals: Although Sergio Ramos and Chris Smalling both scored 4 league goals last season, Smalling did so in two fewer games, meaning he was the best finisher of the four. Ramos is known for his aerial threat in the opposing box and has scored at the most vital of times on previous occasion – including in the 2014 Champions League final. Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo both failed to notch last season.
Aerial Duels: Possible new-boy Sergio achieved a % of duels won over the season of 68.03%, bettering the efforts of all three United men, although Smalling did also win over 65% of his battles in the air. Marcos Rojo was the weakest but all four men are strongly built and none shy out of a challenge.
[ALL STATS FROM SQUAWKA]
On this evidence, and it is common sense that statistics are not to be taken as gospel in football, Sergio Ramos is the best of the four players, which would have been assumed anyway, and his best defensive partner would be Chris Smalling, who has certainly staked a claim to make one of the centre-back spots his own.
Comments.
Loading comments…