You'll never beat Des Walker

[ZedRed]

Nice to see a lot of people online getting nostalgic about Des Walker following the playing of the Italia '90 semi-final on BBC last night.

Better than Terry, Ferdinand and Campbell?

 

[Woanz]

He was one of the players of the tournament at Italia 90 such a shame he got played out of position at Sampdoria as he could’ve been remembered as one of the greatest.

 

[Basha73]

He was honestly one of the best centre backs I have seen either in a Forest or an England shirt.

So quick over the first five to ten yards, coupled with a great sense of danger.

 

[Woanz]

If you were to ask what image sums up my life as a Forest fan, I’d like to say the league cup finals, McGregors penalty rebound, Clough holding hands with that shitehawk Venables, Clough’s final game, Stan at Peterborough or KING BILL, even Psycho at Euro 96 but no it’d be Des crying in Sheffield.

 

[Calvin Plummer]

Playing alongside Wright was perfect for him. Wright read the game well, decent in the air and for a CB was an excellent passer of the ball but always had a mistake in him. Des on the other hand is probably the best recovery defender and timer of a tackle that I've ever seen.

 

[ZedRed]

Do you think it would have been fair to say that there was a point where he was probably the best CB in the world after Baresi?

I was a bit young then, so didn't pay as much attention to defenders!

 

[in_the_top_one]

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If you were to ask what image sums up my life as a Forest fan, I’d like to say the league cup finals, McGregors penalty rebound, Clough holding hands with that shitehawk Venables, Clough’s final game, Stan at Peterborough or KING BILL, even Psycho at Euro 96 but no it’d be Des crying in Sheffield.

I hate that picture!

 

[Woanz]

I hate that picture!

Yep.

 

[Basha73]

Do you think it would have been fair to say that there was a point where he was probably the best CB in the world after Baresi?

I was a bit young then, so didn't pay as much attention to defenders!

For a short period in time he was certainly up there. If you watch him through Italia 90 he was one of the best players of the whole tournament.

 

[ZedRed]

Pearce probably second best in his position in the world at the time after Maldini as well.

 

[Basha73]

I can imagine, if they were playing today, both Pearce and Walker would be attracting fees north of £50m. Frightening.

 

[Calvin Plummer]

Pearce probably second best in his position in the world at the time after Maldini as well.

Maldini was only a kid then, still a great player but the best in the world was Brehme.

 

[Calvin Plummer]

I can imagine, if they were playing today, both Pearce and Walker would be attracting fees north of £50m. Frightening.

I bet for a little while even Gary Charles would have been 40m.

 

[Woanz]

I can imagine, if they were playing today, both Pearce and Walker would be attracting fees north of £50m. Frightening.

Easily above £50m given how much Stones & McGuire cost.

 

[ZedRed]

Maldini was only a kid then, still a great player but the best in the world was Brehme.

I was thinking Brehme would be in the mix as well. but Maldini had already been playing for Italy for 2 years.

 

[ZedRed]

I was thinking Brehme would be in the mix as well. but Maldini had already been playing for Italy for 2 years.

I suppose the following season was really Pearce's standout season though.

Probably better than both of them that year.

 

[Calvin Plummer]

Brehme would be at LB in my lifetime XI, but all 3 were great.

 

[ZedRed]

I suppose thinking about it rationally, you'd have Brehme as number 1 for that season, Pearce the season after and then Maldini for the next several seasons. Some might throw Roberto Carlos in to the mix later, but he was overrated IMO.

 

[Feco]

Do you think it would have been fair to say that there was a point where he was probably the best CB in the world after Baresi?

I was a bit young then, so didn't pay as much attention to defenders!

Yes, in fact possibly the best in the world for a while

 

[ZedRed]

I bet for a little while even Gary Charles would have been 40m.

25m maybe.