PAULO MALDINI RATING

Maldini is usually regarded as the de facto greatest left-back of all time, but our analysis found that based purely on his left-back exploits, he was not as 'balanced' as the history books tend to suggest. He was a defensive powerhouse and undoubtedly the greatest defensive left back of all time, but going forwards he was below average. In a more attacking tactical system, he would have struggled to participate as much in the build-up and being responsible for creating constant overlapping scenarios. Once in the final third, Maldini was an astute crosser of the ball and on the rare occasion capable of posing a threat from distance but it was predominantly from set pieces (as an aerial threat) where he was most likely to make a direct impact on the scoreline.

What truly elevates Maldini from a generational defensive great at left back to an all-time great footballer is his performances as a 'utility' centre-back. In three champions league finals, Maldini featured as a centre-back in weakened defences and conceded one goal in 270 minutes, leading AC Milan to 3 Champions League wins. In addition to these stellar performances, Maldini filled in as a centre back for Baresi during the 1994 World Cup tournament and partnered him in the final, as Italy kept a clean sheet against a dangerous frontline led by the menacing Romario (only to then lose on penalties). This proves that Maldini's mettle as a centre-back is unquestionable and that is why his defensive stats are remarkable for a full-back, with strong scores for heading and blocks.

Maldini is unable to break through the 81 barrier due to his lack of ball-playing ability from the back. He was a solid long passer from the back, and an accurate short passer but generally his time in possession was very conservative. Whilst he was an elegant tackler, he wasn't the most graceful with the ball at his feet and rarely broke through enemy lines in the manner of a Krol, or a Schnellinger. His intelligence score reflects the fact that Maldini was at heart a player who relied heavily on natural footballing instinct, tenacity and quick reactions. He was simply not as cerebral as his heroes Scirea and Baresi who almost had a seventh sense for defending and were supremely gifted on the ball in equal measure. Maldini was more like the fabled Achilles of Troy, a beautiful iconic and almost immortal warrior blessed a great heart, never-say-die attitude and relentless professionalism which allowed him to maximise every ounce of what talent he possessed. He falls a step short though of the incomparable behemoths of defensive football... Beckenbauer, Scirea and Baresi, or in full back terms, Carlos Alberto Torres.

In summary, Maldini was an exemplary defensive full-back who could be trusted to mark the greatest wingers of all time. He was quick, tenacious, perceptive and very responsive to movement off the ball as well as beguiling dribbles and elusive drops of the shoulder - rarely being beat 1 v 1. He eventually matured into a fantastic centre-back but even during his prime, was capable of playing centre-back and keeping clean sheets in the biggest games in the world, against the toughest opponents. His best position, in an all-time hypothetical XI would be at left-centre back in a three man backline, where the emphasis would be on defending, with occasional surges forward. He was however not as 'balanced' as is usually claimed, he was a defender first and foremost and not a natural going forward. Therefore he was a great fit in Italian football and fortunate to spend his entire career at a club side which brought the best out of his natural tendencies. He would not have thrived as much a wing-back in a more attacking system or been as effective in attack as the likes of Marcelo in modern football.