Fabio Cannavaro explains why Harry Maguire and John Stones are not as strong as Giorgio Chiellini and says he would have not feared Cristiano Ronaldo had he played at his time.
The former Italy captain spoke to The Sun about the state of Italian and English football, also focusing on central defenders.
When asked to rate Manchester City’s John Stones and Man United’s Harry Maguire, Cannavaro said: “They are good individually and with the rest of the backline. They are points of reference for Manchester City and Man United, and undoubtedly the two best English defenders.
“When the going gets tough, they take responsibility and are not afraid of trying new things.
“But Chiellini still embodies the spirit of the Italian defender and that level of concentration needed to stop a striker in a difficult moment.
“Maguire and Stones play a totally different type of football and may lack a nasty streak at times. Which Giorgio has.”
The current Juventus captain played with Cannavaro at Juventus in the 2005-06 campaign which ended with the Bianconeri winning the title.
However, that Scudetto was revoked and Juventus were sent to Serie B after the Calciopoli scandal.
Cannavaro won the Ballon d’Or in 2006 and is the last Italian player to have received the award.
“The Ballon d’Or was an extraordinary result but it was just the consequence of my performances at that World Cup,” he said.
“I don’t know how much I’d have been worth today. Surely after the 2006 World Cup I’d have been worth around £100m.
“Football constantly changes and evolves and the players need to adjust. But if you are a good footballer you can play at any level, in any era,” the former defender continued.
“Son and Kane are very, very strong. The Korean is the one who impressed me the most.
“Aubameyang is also a terrific player, like Ronaldo. But I wouldn’t have feared them.
“Against prime Cannavaro, it would have been tough for anyone.”
In September, Cannavaro rescinded his contract with Guangzhou FC and now hopes to get his first job as a coach in Europe.
“I would like to manage in England but the same goes for France and Italy.
“If you get an important project, you consider it. My job is to give balance to a team, strong going forward and in defending.
Last month, he was at the Emirates Stadium to watch Arsenal’s home Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
“I would like to manage in England but the same goes for France and Italy,” the former Italy captain said.
“If you get an important project, you consider it. My job is to give balance to a team, strong going forward and in defending.”