Esteve - Have there been any better centre halves at this level?

[Spijed]

Certainly one of the best ever to play in the Championship.

[gandhisflipflop]

I keep saying he is the best centre back I’ve ever seen play for this club. I started in the 90s but considering our recent history that’s saying something

[GetIntoEm]

Up there with Gary Cahill for me

[fatboy47]

Our best since Waldron.

[Bowclaret]

I’ll answer that - “no” He will go on the highest level for sure. For me He should replace Virgil at Liverpool.

He will absolutely smash our incoming transfer record.

Got to be looking at 60 M minimum.

[BurnleyFC]

If he ends up having a better career than Gary Cahill, he’ll be exceptional.

[HurstGrangeClaret]

To say he’s only 22, he’s a very exciting talent.
Let’s hope he scores as brilliant and important a goal as Colin Waldron scored for us at Deepdale to win us the league in ‘73.

[billyhamilton82]

CJ Egan Riley?

[Goliath]

Esteve, Cahill and MIchael Keane are the top 3.
Ben Mee and John Mcgreal with honourable mentions.

[MDWat]

He’s the best defender in this league and by some distance.

[Swizzlestick]

He is just imperious pretty much every game. We need to keep him as long as we humanly can. Him and CJ. Give them what they want and I’d make Esteve captain.

[what_no_pies]

It's a shame he's absolutely bobbins when it comes to attacking a corner as if he was even nearly a threat going that way he'd be the whole package. As it is he's bloody hopeless as an attacking outlet. Great defender though .

[DCWat]

Imagine how good he’ll be when he actually looks like he’s putting some effort in. He just strolls through games and still looks like an absolute Rolls Royce of a player.

In the first half, when Trafford came out of his box and was beaten to the ball by their attacker, Steve just strolls across, cool as a cucumber and everything is fine with the world again.

I love watching players make it look so effortless.

[fungus_the_bogeyman]

Imagine how good he’ll be when he actually looks like he’s putting some effort in. He just strolls through games and still looks like an absolute Rolls Royce of a player.

In the first half, when Trafford came out of his box and was beaten to the ball by their attacker, Steve just strolls across, cool as a cucumber and everything is fine with the world again.

I love watching players make it look so effortless.

Not sure I’ve even seen him look out of breath this season. It’s been a walk in the park. The sky’s the limit for him. Could walk into a top 6 side.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Burnley have been lucky to have some fantastic centre backs in the last decade but Steve is the best of the bunch. A little lacklustre in the opposition box and distribution needs a little work, but the way he got Trafford out of trouble in the first half was like drinking a fine wine. The top is where he is going. £30m minimum has to be the price.

[DCWat]

Not sure I’ve even seen him look out of breath this season. It’s been a walk in the park. The sky’s the limit for him. Could walk into a top 6 side.

If I had one criticism, that might hold him back, it’d be his passing, which can on occasion be a little wayward.

It perhaps shows a little more than it did because CJER can ping them about for fun.

[Rileybobs]

He’s a class act, but I’m not sure whether he’s going to go any higher than Egan Riley. He definitely has the effortless look, but he’s less comfortable on the ball and his range of passing isn’t even comparable. We’ve got two very good centre backs in the side though and their style and abilities complement each other fantastically.

[Goliath]

He’s a class act, but I’m not sure whether he’s going to go any higher than Egan Riley. He definitely has the effortless look, but he’s less comfortable on the ball and his range of passing isn’t even comparable. We’ve got two very good centre backs in the side though and their style and abilities complement each other fantastically.

I'm still not sure I've seen us expose Egan-Riley 1 v 1 against any one with any pace and quality. I'd be interested to see if he could handle the prem, I have a feeling he's quite slow on the turn and lacks the agility of Esteve which would make a world of difference at that level

[Rileybobs]

I'm still not sure I've seen us expose Egan-Riley 1 v 1 against any one with any pace and quality. I'd be interested to see if he could handle the prem, I have a feeling he's quite slow on the turn and lacks the agility of Esteve which would make a world of difference at that level

Quite possible. But I don’t think CJER lacks pace, he’s not as quick as Esteve but pace isn’t everything. He has an intensity and a real drive to make things happen which I like. Either way, the two players compliment each other superbly.

[fungus_the_bogeyman]

If I had one criticism, that might hold him back, it’d be his passing, which can on occasion be a little wayward.

It perhaps shows a little more than it did because CJER can ping them about for fun.

I’d agree. Doesn’t have the range of passing of Egan-Riley, but definitely has a pace advantage. However, both are quick and can read the game impeccably. I think this is without doubt the strongest defence I’ve seen for us overall in my almost 30 years of watching. Getting CJ signed to a new deal is absolutely imperative and must be done as soon as possible.

[Lord_Bob]

Unquestionably they are really, really good, but Tarkowski and Mee did it in the PL. We might be getting a bit carried away, but would love to see them both prove me wrong in the PL next year.

[Stalbansclaret]

Glad someone has mentioned Tarkowski. But yes Steve is a cut above the level we are playing at and it will be interesting to see how much we eventually get for him and where his career takes him.Wonder if there’s any chance he can make the French World Cup squad next year ? Difficult from the Championship .

[Woodleyclaret]

Best ball winning cb since Dobbo with sublime composure and skill.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Esteve is an excellent defender, the biggest thing that will hold back his career will be his ability on the ball.

If he had Egan Riley’s passing ability I would agree he could go to the top. Right now I think a Crystal Palace or Brentford (mid table is probably where he’s at)

[Pickles]

I was surprised the club stopped him going to the Paris Olympics. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it felt harsh.

But on the pitch at least he hasn't sulked and has consistently looked his customary colossal and cool. No reason to think he's sulked off it by the way!

Shocked there's been no links, to my knowledge, with the Premier League. More shocked that Ipswich wanted O'Shea rather than Estéve in the summer. Not that they could've afforded him though.

If he stays on the trajectory he's on, bidding has to begin at £40m minimum and I wouldn't be surprised if it approaches £60m. Which feels bizarre to say about a Burnley player but he is/can be that good.

However, we were saying similar things about Harwood-Bellis and to an extent Beyer and Ekdal. Estéve is better than all three but a lot can change in football quite quickly.

[jdrobbo]

Insanely good. The chap next to him is brilliant too, and he needs tying down!

[Dodobdobodobo]

Our best since Waldron.

Waldron?

[fatboy47]

Waldron?

Yep...Waldron...the guy who played centre half for us for years at the very top level including when we finished fifth....the guy who posed a big attacking threat too...before he was eventually collared by Manchester United.

[Hipper]

Esteve is good but I thought he was poor where it mattered yesterday, defending against Isidor. At least four times he did not deal with him well and it could, in fact should had Isidor been a little sharper, lead to a defeat.

If he's like that in The Premier League he'd be roasted.

I think he's better then last night but there's still a lot of work to be done.

[Raconteur]

I was surprised the club stopped him going to the Paris Olympics. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it felt harsh.

But on the pitch at least he hasn't sulked and has consistently looked his customary colossal and cool. No reason to think he's sulked off it by the way!

Shocked there's been no links, to my knowledge, with the Premier League. More shocked that Ipswich wanted O'Shea rather than Estéve in the summer. Not that they could've afforded him though.

If he stays on the trajectory he's on, bidding has to begin at £40m minimum and I wouldn't be surprised if it approaches £60m. Which feels bizarre to say about a Burnley player but he is/can be that good.

However, we were saying similar things about Harwood-Bellis and to an extent Beyer and Ekdal. Estéve is better than all three but a lot can change in football quite quickly.

Regarding the Olympics, I'm sure I've read Matt Williams saying that it was Esteves own choice to not go. He wanted to commit himself to a full pre season and be 100% ready for us when the season started.

[dougcollins]

To say he’s only 22, he’s a very exciting talent.
Let’s hope he scores as brilliant and important a goal as Colin Waldron scored for us at Deepdale to win us the league in ‘73.

Ha ha, in my head Waldo was about 40 yds out!

[me01jh]

Esteve is good but I thought he was poor where it mattered yesterday, defending against Isidor. At least four times he did not deal with him well and it could, in fact should had Isidor been a little sharper, lead to a defeat.

If he's like that in The Premier League he'd be roasted.

I think he's better then last night but there's still a lot of work to be done.

100% agree.

We have been blessed with great centre backs over the last decade, but with both Dyche & Parker they are very well protected and rarely exposed 1v1 high up the pitch.

For me, there are big question marks over his pace, ability to step out with the football and his range of passing. Don't get me wrong, I think he is a fabulous talent but there are reasons why he isn't playing in the Premier League already. Let's hope he keeps developing.

[fatboy47]

Ha ha, in my head Waldo was about 40 yds out!

Nah...half way line I thought doug!

[Pickles]

Regarding the Olympics, I'm sure I've read Matt Williams saying that it was Esteves own choice to not go. He wanted to commit himself to a full pre season and be 100% ready for us when the season started.

Fair enough, but surprised at that.

[JimmyRobbo]

I'm going to upset everyone but he is currently missing a major trait; he's not an attacking presence in the box. Otherwise, he's tremendous. He'll play much higher than us but I'm not putting him in the Virgil class that others have.

Also, CJ, been wonderful but this is probably his level. I'm not yet convinced about his stepping up to the next level.

I hope I'm wrong with both players and they're the best ever but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy their talent at this level.

[Tricky Trevor]

He’s excellent but not the finished product. Defensively no problems but on the ball many times he has 30yds of grass in front of him and refuses to come out with the ball. I don’t expect him to take a player on but the first player that closes him down is creating space behind that we should make use of. What really ticks me off is when in the same situation he plays a pea-roller pass of 30-40yds that get intercepted and this is a regular occurrence.
I’d keep him and coach him up though.

[jlup1980]

He's right up there with the best we've had at this level... and we've been blessed with some incredible defenders at this level, especially in the last 10 years or so. Personally I think Michael Keane is the one to emulate. He used to make this level look like a walk in the park. Not only was his reading of the game superb, but he was a genuine threat in the opposition box.

[Vino blanco]

He is the one player we have who could easily play in the PL. I’m not sure about all the rest, which shows the difference between the PL and the Championship.

[Bfc]

Reminds me very much of Jimmy Adamson, the way he runs, tackles and with the same composure.

[AfloatinClaret]

...pace isn’t everything...

It is at the very top; the difference between very best players and the rest is not so much that they're doing it differently, but they do it faster, fleet of foot and more especially speed of thought... While the absolute superstars are the ones who are quick without even looking like it.

[Rileybobs]

It is at the very top; the difference between very best players and the rest is not so much that they're doing it differently, but they do it faster, fleet of foot and more especially speed of thought... While the absolute superstars are the ones who are quick without even looking like it.

Pretty much everyone in the Premier League is quick though. My point is that Esteve’s marginal pace advantage over CJ won’t be the difference between one or the other making it at the top level.

[AfloatinClaret]

Pretty much everyone in the Premier League is quick though...

Which is what brought us down to earth with a bump last season; those players who'd looked like superstars in the Championship, suddenly looked very average when their speed advantage was gone.

[Rileybobs]

Which is what brought us down to earth with a bump last season; those players who'd looked like superstars in the Championship, suddenly looked very average when their speed advantage was gone.

Yeah, I was expecting Koleosho to kill teams with his pace this season, but he doesn’t use it effectively.

[NottsClaret]

He’s a class player. But the championship is full of players their fans are convinced are destined for the very top.

Only one way to be sure, unfortunately keeping most of the 2nd tier in your back pocket isn’t it. There aren’t many teams set up quite like us either, where the whole team is there to track back and protect the defence.

[Taffy on the wing]

Tarkowski not mentioned so far.......he was pretty good.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Still think Keane was the best Cb I have seen at this level.

He was a roll royce

[AlargeClaret]

While Steve is no doubt a classy player , let’s not get carried away , he’s no Cannavaro . I think Michael Keane looked slightly better and an eye for goal . I think he can defo play in the prem though not sure how he’ll deal with true elite speed . I’m presuming we’ll lose him, but a v nice fee should be incoming .

[Andreshotboots]

If he stays injury free throughout his career, this boy will play for some very very big football clubs...

[Andreshotboots]

Tarkowski not mentioned so far.......he was pretty good.

I'd agree, and certainly right up there with the toughest, but was also an excellent footballer..

[Andreshotboots]

Which is what brought us down to earth with a bump last season; those players who'd looked like superstars in the Championship, suddenly looked very average when their speed advantage was gone.

I dont necessarily think teams were quicker than us last year, the big difference for me was the ball control, ability to dribble at pace whilst picking out killer passes when needed.