--- title: "12 Central Defender Quotes by 11 authors" description: "Browse 12 Central Defender quotes by 11 authors. Discover the best Central Defender sayings and thoughts." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/virgil-van-dijk-6531_defender_i-think-as-a-central-defender-you-grow-a_2379548.jpg" --- > [I think as a central defender you grow as a player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil-van-dijk/i-think-as-a-central-defender-you-grow-as-a-player/) [Virgil van Dijk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil-van-dijk/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/virgil-van-dijk-6531_defender_i-think-as-a-central-defender-you-grow-a_2379548.jpg) > [I like playing as a central defender, but I also feel good as a holding midfielder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-matip/i-like-playing-as-a-central-defender-but-i-also-feel-good-as-a/) [Joel Matip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-matip/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/joel-matip-7398_defender_i-like-playing-as-a-central-defender-but_1275553.jpg) > [I like to play against strikers and think that, from my size alone, I'm more of a central defender.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-boateng/i-like-to-play-against-strikers-and-think-that-from-my-size-alone-i-m/) [Jerome Boateng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-boateng/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b38/jerome-boateng-8344_alone_i-like-to-play-against-strikers-and-thin_563821.jpg) > [What's for sure is that the profile of the central defender is evolving. At one time it was all about the stopper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-varane/what-s-for-sure-is-that-the-profile-of-the-central-defender-is/) [Raphael Varane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-varane/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/122/raphael-varane-6240_complete_what-s-for-sure-is-that-the-profile-of-t_2992094.jpg) > [My position is a centre back, but I've played right back before and I started my footballing career as a midfielder. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-lindelof/my-position-is-a-centre-back-but-i-ve-played-right-back-before-and-i/) [Victor Lindelof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-lindelof/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/victor-lindelof-29993_back_my-position-is-a-centre-back-but-i-ve-pl_482095.jpg) > [For you to even enquire about one player, he is expensive. You go to buy a right-back, a left-back, or a central…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-conte/for-you-to-even-enquire-about-one-player-he-is-expensive-you-go-to/) [Antonio Conte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-conte/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1a/antonio-conte-5377_defender_for-you-to-even-enquire-about-one-player_356147.jpg) > [I played central defender for the most part when I started playing football, either central defence or right-back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-played-central-defender-for-the-most-part-when-i-started-playing/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/bruno-fernandes-6420_defence_i-played-central-defender-for-the-most-p_3052646.jpg) > [Julie Johnston is what I would call a loud central defender, as far as how she tackles and how she plays -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-sauerbrunn/julie-johnston-is-what-i-would-call-a-loud-central-defender-as-far-as/) [Becky Sauerbrunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-sauerbrunn/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/becky-sauerbrunn-10313_defender_julie-johnston-is-what-i-would-call-a-lo_1690130.jpg) > [I was really good, I had a coach who said to me, 'If you want to be a top player, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-was-really-good-i-had-a-coach-who-said-to-me-if-you-want-to-be-a/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/bruno-fernandes-6420_better_i-was-really-good-i-had-a-coach-who-said_2867226.jpg) > [When I was younger, I played as a right-back. I also played as a central defender, but I realised that I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-firmino/when-i-was-younger-i-played-as-a-right-back-i-also-played-as-a/) [Roberto Firmino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-firmino/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/roberto-firmino-8978_back_when-i-was-younger-i-played-as-a-right-b_1842726.jpg) > [I played a lot of times at the beginning at Ajax as a left full back with a fantastic combination with Mark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-de-boer/i-played-a-lot-of-times-at-the-beginning-at-ajax-as-a-left-full-back/) [Frank de Boer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-de-boer/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/777/frank-de-boer-9692_back_i-played-a-lot-of-times-at-the-beginning_2996453.jpg) > [Not many know this, but in training sessions, I like to play in the center-back position sometimes. I think I'm good at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitar-berbatov/not-many-know-this-but-in-training-sessions-i-like-to-play-in-the/) [Dimitar Berbatov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitar-berbatov/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/dimitar-berbatov-4958_better_not-many-know-this-but-in-training-sessi_915496.jpg) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/central-defender/#itemlist", "name": "Central Defender Quotes", "numberOfItems": 12, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think as a central defender you grow as a player.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Virgil van Dijk" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil-van-dijk/i-think-as-a-central-defender-you-grow-as-a-player/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/virgil-van-dijk-6531_defender_i-think-as-a-central-defender-you-grow-a_2379548.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/virgil-van-dijk-6531_defender_i-think-as-a-central-defender-you-grow-a_2379548.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/virgil-van-dijk-6531_defender_i-think-as-a-central-defender-you-grow-a_2379548.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think as a central defender you grow as a player.” — Virgil van Dijk", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I like playing as a central defender, but I also feel good as a holding midfielder.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joel Matip" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-matip/i-like-playing-as-a-central-defender-but-i-also-feel-good-as-a/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/joel-matip-7398_defender_i-like-playing-as-a-central-defender-but_1275553.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/joel-matip-7398_defender_i-like-playing-as-a-central-defender-but_1275553.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a1/joel-matip-7398_defender_i-like-playing-as-a-central-defender-but_1275553.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I like playing as a central defender, but I also feel good as a holding midfielder.” — Joel Matip", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I like to play against strikers and think that, from my size alone, I'm more of a central defender.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jerome Boateng" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-boateng/i-like-to-play-against-strikers-and-think-that-from-my-size-alone-i-m/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b38/jerome-boateng-8344_alone_i-like-to-play-against-strikers-and-thin_563821.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b38/jerome-boateng-8344_alone_i-like-to-play-against-strikers-and-thin_563821.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b38/jerome-boateng-8344_alone_i-like-to-play-against-strikers-and-thin_563821.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I like to play against strikers and think that, from my size alone, I'm more of a central defender.” — Jerome Boateng", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What's for sure is that the profile of the central defender is evolving. At one time it was all about the stopper and the libero. Today, central defenders have to be more complete.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Raphael Varane" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-varane/what-s-for-sure-is-that-the-profile-of-the-central-defender-is/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/122/raphael-varane-6240_complete_what-s-for-sure-is-that-the-profile-of-t_2992094.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/122/raphael-varane-6240_complete_what-s-for-sure-is-that-the-profile-of-t_2992094.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/122/raphael-varane-6240_complete_what-s-for-sure-is-that-the-profile-of-t_2992094.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What's for sure is that the profile of the central defender is evolving. At one time it was all about the…” — Raphael Varane", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My position is a centre back, but I've played right back before and I started my footballing career as a midfielder. I see myself as a central defender, and I feel most comfortable there.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Victor Lindelof" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-lindelof/my-position-is-a-centre-back-but-i-ve-played-right-back-before-and-i/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/victor-lindelof-29993_back_my-position-is-a-centre-back-but-i-ve-pl_482095.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/victor-lindelof-29993_back_my-position-is-a-centre-back-but-i-ve-pl_482095.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/victor-lindelof-29993_back_my-position-is-a-centre-back-but-i-ve-pl_482095.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My position is a centre back, but I've played right back before and I started my footballing career as a…” — Victor Lindelof", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For you to even enquire about one player, he is expensive. You go to buy a right-back, a left-back, or a central defender, and he is expensive.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Antonio Conte" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-conte/for-you-to-even-enquire-about-one-player-he-is-expensive-you-go-to/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1a/antonio-conte-5377_defender_for-you-to-even-enquire-about-one-player_356147.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1a/antonio-conte-5377_defender_for-you-to-even-enquire-about-one-player_356147.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1a/antonio-conte-5377_defender_for-you-to-even-enquire-about-one-player_356147.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“For you to even enquire about one player, he is expensive. You go to buy a right-back, a left-back, or a…” — Antonio Conte", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I played central defender for the most part when I started playing football, either central defence or right-back.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bruno Fernandes" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-played-central-defender-for-the-most-part-when-i-started-playing/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/bruno-fernandes-6420_defence_i-played-central-defender-for-the-most-p_3052646.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/bruno-fernandes-6420_defence_i-played-central-defender-for-the-most-p_3052646.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfd/bruno-fernandes-6420_defence_i-played-central-defender-for-the-most-p_3052646.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I played central defender for the most part when I started playing football, either central defence or…” — Bruno Fernandes", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Julie Johnston is what I would call a loud central defender, as far as how she tackles and how she plays - you notice her. And you notice her in a positive way. She's a destroyer. She interrupts plays and tackles the crap out of people. That's a very visual thing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Becky Sauerbrunn" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-sauerbrunn/julie-johnston-is-what-i-would-call-a-loud-central-defender-as-far-as/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/becky-sauerbrunn-10313_defender_julie-johnston-is-what-i-would-call-a-lo_1690130.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/becky-sauerbrunn-10313_defender_julie-johnston-is-what-i-would-call-a-lo_1690130.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/becky-sauerbrunn-10313_defender_julie-johnston-is-what-i-would-call-a-lo_1690130.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Julie Johnston is what I would call a loud central defender, as far as how she tackles and how she plays…” — Becky Sauerbrunn", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was really good, I had a coach who said to me, 'If you want to be a top player, you will need to play as a central defender. If you want to be a good player, you will be a midfielder.' I think he was wrong but, maybe as a central defender, I could be much better, I don't know!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bruno Fernandes" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-was-really-good-i-had-a-coach-who-said-to-me-if-you-want-to-be-a/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/bruno-fernandes-6420_better_i-was-really-good-i-had-a-coach-who-said_2867226.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/bruno-fernandes-6420_better_i-was-really-good-i-had-a-coach-who-said_2867226.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/bruno-fernandes-6420_better_i-was-really-good-i-had-a-coach-who-said_2867226.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was really good, I had a coach who said to me, 'If you want to be a top player, you will need to play as a…” — Bruno Fernandes", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 10, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was younger, I played as a right-back. I also played as a central defender, but I realised that I could dominate the ball quite calmly, so I started playing further forward in front of the back four.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Roberto Firmino" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-firmino/when-i-was-younger-i-played-as-a-right-back-i-also-played-as-a/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/roberto-firmino-8978_back_when-i-was-younger-i-played-as-a-right-b_1842726.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/roberto-firmino-8978_back_when-i-was-younger-i-played-as-a-right-b_1842726.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77c/roberto-firmino-8978_back_when-i-was-younger-i-played-as-a-right-b_1842726.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was younger, I played as a right-back. I also played as a central defender, but I realised that I…” — Roberto Firmino", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 11, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I played a lot of times at the beginning at Ajax as a left full back with a fantastic combination with Mark Overmars but I think as a central defender and a leader in the back it was my best role I think.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frank de Boer" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-de-boer/i-played-a-lot-of-times-at-the-beginning-at-ajax-as-a-left-full-back/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/777/frank-de-boer-9692_back_i-played-a-lot-of-times-at-the-beginning_2996453.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/777/frank-de-boer-9692_back_i-played-a-lot-of-times-at-the-beginning_2996453.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/777/frank-de-boer-9692_back_i-played-a-lot-of-times-at-the-beginning_2996453.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I played a lot of times at the beginning at Ajax as a left full back with a fantastic combination with Mark…” — Frank de Boer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 12, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Not many know this, but in training sessions, I like to play in the center-back position sometimes. I think I'm good at that position, and my father used to be a central defender. Some people don't realize that if you play in that position, you can better understand how the defender thinks.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dimitar Berbatov" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitar-berbatov/not-many-know-this-but-in-training-sessions-i-like-to-play-in-the/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/dimitar-berbatov-4958_better_not-many-know-this-but-in-training-sessi_915496.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/dimitar-berbatov-4958_better_not-many-know-this-but-in-training-sessi_915496.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/dimitar-berbatov-4958_better_not-many-know-this-but-in-training-sessi_915496.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Not many know this, but in training sessions, I like to play in the center-back position sometimes. I think…” — Dimitar Berbatov", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/central-defender/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/central-defender/", "name": "Central Defender Quotes", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/central-defender/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/virgil-van-dijk-6531_defender_i-think-as-a-central-defender-you-grow-a_2379548.jpg" }, "description": "Browse 12 Central Defender quotes by 11 authors. Discover the best Central Defender sayings and thoughts.", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/central-defender/#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/central-defender/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Topics", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/categories/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Central Defender Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/central-defender/" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```