MANUEL AMOROS RATING

It is testament to Amoros' talent that despite an average club career and no world cup wins, as well as being pretty much absent during France's victory in Euro 1984 that he somehow managed to garner a 81 rating and throw his hat into the ring for the best full-back of all time. Amoros was unique in that he was the first defender who was equally capable of playing at right back or left back (Brehme could do it too but clearly favoured the left side) and just like the German was ambidextrous, capable of shooting/crossing off either foot with ease. In addition to these qualities, Amoros was defensively astute (he handled Littbarski very well in 1982 and excelled against Brazil in 1986), aggressive in the tackle, a penetrative ball carrier, dangerous on the overlap and capable of influencing the midfield battle by coming in off the flanks. In short, he was the complete full back - perhaps even more so than Carlos Alberto, in terms of how he possessed every attribute one associates with a full-back (Alberto's crossing was not a great asset).

On closer inspection however, Amoros' dribbling and short passing could be hit and miss - but only under extreme pressure as seen in 1982. Amoros played in a very aggressive and direct manner, which meant he constantly took risks with the ball. By 1986, a more refined Amoros cut out these errors in possession but his lack of discipline had cost him in Euro 1984 and he only played a bit part role in their European Championship triumph. For these reasons, he didn't score as highly in certain attributes as he could have and simply put just didn't have that same effortless brilliance to his game that Carlos Alberto possessed.

In summary Amoros was one of the most gifted full-backs in the history of the game, truly great on either flank and possessed every attribute one expects of a world-class full back. He was defensively sound, penetrative in the final third and was dynamic enough to dictate the tempo of a game - a truly all action full back reminiscent of someone like Roberto Carlos.. in the thick of the action. Unfortunately for Amoros, he was never truly part of a major triumph but the quality of his performances in 1982 and 1986 against some of the toughest sides in the world, will never be forgotten.