Monday 3 November, 2008
Blog: Go on Maicon
Douglas Maicon was again on target for Inter at the weekend. Scott Fleming hails the best full-back in world football
The summer of 2006 was perhaps the most tumultuous and notorious in the history of calcio, for reasons I need not delve into here. On the transfer front the big news centred on the defection of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Patrick Vieira from Juventus to arch rivals Inter. With that in mind, few noticed Douglas Maicon shuffle through the doors of Appiano Gentile.
A young, unheralded Brazilian full-back, the common consensus was that Roberto Mancini had recruited the former Monaco man as back-up for the incumbent right-back, captain and symbol of the side, Javier Zanetti.
Just over two years later Maicon now stands as the greatest player in the position in world football. Obviously rivals for this accolade could be sought and found, not least in the shape of Spain’s Sergio Ramos.
Nevertheless, it is sheer folly to deny the remarkable ability the Brazilian is displaying each and every matchday. Is there any other defender in top-level football at present that plays such an integral part in his side’s attacking efforts?
Maicon is lightning fast, powerful, creative and an accomplished finisher to boot. From his debut season he has been immense, but this year has truly peaked under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho.
In a recent swipe at Inter, Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini branded the Nerazzurri as over reliant on certain players. There was no mention, however, of striking stars like Adriano or influential midfielders such as Esteban Cambiasso. Instead the Italian international picked out Maicon, alongside Ibrahimovic, as those the champions depend on for success.
In addition the 27-year-old is firmly established as first choice on the right side of Brazil’s defence, a nation which has hardly struggled in bringing through famous flying full-backs.
It is in teammate Zanetti’s situation that Maicon’s talent is demonstrated beyond doubt though. Has the Argentine genuinely been manoeuvred into midfield because of his ball playing abilities? Or is the captain’s presence in the centre of the field simply a compromise, designed not to upset such an important figure as Zanetti, when his worth to the team has been surpassed by the boy from Brazil?
You can make up your own mind, but I know what I think.
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