PROFILE

IVAN CORDOBA

CAREER

Ivan Cordoba made a real name of himself when he was playing for San Lorenzo in Argentina. The central defender "only" made two seasons there until Europe caught their eyes on him. His contribution with the Columbian NT was also a reason for why he became one of the most wanted players in the world.

The winter of 2000, Cordoba ended up in a tastefull but yet difficult situation. The transfer markets had opened in Europe and two of the biggest teams in Europe was after his signature: Real Madrid and Inter. It ended up with that Real Madrid looked like securing his signature, until Cordoba himself decided. He wanted to join Inter!!!!
So this rather unknown central defender from Columbia joined Inter the winter of 2000.

When he came to Inter, we didn´t really seemed to know how to use him at first. He was even played as a left back at times. Though, he is used of playing as a fullback since with the NT he has been played as a right back numerous of times.
But Cordoba first of all, took the position as a manmarker along with Simic and Blanc in the libero position. The back three was individually incredibly talented, but not used of playing togheter. That showed too. They all performed good individually but not as a team.
Cordoba finished his first season with playing 20 matches. That is impressive since he joined during the winter break.

At this time, Cordoba was a proven defender, although still very underrated since people hasn´t acknowledged him and taken him serious.

Next season comes up and this had to be one of the most turbulent and confusing seasons for Cordoba. While playing with Inter, he was involved in the worst Inter in years. Personally, he was performing great but Tardelli´s tactics killed them. Too many changes in the defence regarding choice of players, made the defence very vulnerable. Still, Cordoba was great!

What made this a fantastic year nontheless for Cordoba was with his NT. Columbia was the HUGE winners of Coppa America (correct me if I´m wrong about the competition). Ivan Cordoba was the captain of this team that won the entire competition. On top of that Cordoba was the player that scored the only goal in the final. Cordoba got to lift the trophy and was their MVP during the entire competition. Would this become his huge international breakthrough? Not really.

It was last season he received the attention he had for so many years earned. Team Inter was finally looking like a worldclass team and Cordoba paired up with Materazzi, was brilliant! Cordoba also scored his first ever Serie A goal with Inter this season too. It was against Piacenza (I have it on tape BTW).

Ivan Cordoba has had a very weird career so far with mixed failurs and complete success. He´s turning only 26, so he has many years to come as a top elite!

AS A PLAYER

Ivan Cordoba IS the fastest defender in the entire world!
His incredible pace is what is being exposed the most. Practically no one can beat him in accelerating challenges. This will become a bit of a problem when Cordoba gets older, as he tend to depend a bit on his pace, and when that dissapears he will be less good than he is right now.

Ivan Cordoba is also a very versitile defender. He can fit into almost every tactical scheme. Perhaps he is the best being played in a back three as a manmarker, since he does really play like a manmarker. He´s the guy that marked out Montella completely against Roma earlier this season.
But Cordoba can also be played as a fullback like I have mentioned earlier. He has played as both right back with Columbia and left back with Inter. But he wants to play central defence and he makes no secret out of that. Also his performances on the pitch makes it very difficult for the coach to even consider another position for him.

Ivan Cordoba´s biggest vulnerability relies in the air. Since he is ONLY 173 cm tall (which is smaller than me) he relies a lot on timing. But God damn!!!!! This dude has some timing too.
Normally such a short defender would be beaten in every aerial duell. Likewise, he wins about 8/10. Sadly, the times he does indeed lose, it usually ends up in a goal too.
So in that aspect, it´s where Cordoba might have problems. But what is impressive is this:

His athletism!!!!! Have you guys seen this guy jump? He has to have the best elasticity in the entire world. That a 173 cm tall guy can beat guys like Corradi in the air, is amazing! This is all because he can jump so INDREDIBLY!!!!! high and with his timing also beat the opponent player. It´s him and Canna who are specialists on this.

But unlike Canna, Cordoba also carries other skills. He´s a leader in the defence and can also act as a libero. Although, he´s naturally a manmarker he can also be the backbone in the defence that should control his teammate in the central defence. This was especially visible when Materazzi was missing and Sorondo replaced Materazzi. But then Cordoba took over Materazzi´s duties as being the leader of the defence and cover up for Sorondo whenever needed. During these matches, he just caught my eye even more. I´ve always knewn he was the fastest defender and one of the best manmarkers in the world. But now he provided me with more knowledge that he can also play as a libero and be a leader.

Cordoba also makes himself suitable for every partner. That he can switch from right central defender into left central defender, just because the other one isn´t as used of playing left central defender, shows how versitile this man is.

Cordoba is also one of the best blocker of the ball there is. It just kills me to think about what would have happened if he had succeeded with that last block against Chievo when Cossato scored.
That ONE time he miss it and it proved costly. But make no mistake. He absolutely rules at blocking balls. Especially if the opponent player is on the flank and is about to cross or shoot the ball from the side. Then he throws out his leg and saves it to a corner, or he throws himself and blocks like that.

The problem Cordoba has in Serie A is that the referees doesn´t seem to provide him with any support whatsoever. You all remember against Udinese I think it was, when he was sent off for discussing with the referee and was suspended for two matches. While guys like Nesta and Samuel gets away with anything, the tolerance the referees has regarding Cordoba is very little.

Cordoba is now a veteran in our team and is untouchable at this moment. Still, he doesn´t get the recognition he deserves. Not even from Inter fans themselves. I rate him as maybe one of the 5 best defenders in the entire world, and if Cordoba gets to play in the CL this season he will have his HUGE international breakthrough. Even some Inter fans might realise that Cordoba is indeed a pure worldclass defender and that even having the thoughts of selling him somewhere else, was stupid. You don´t find players with this kind of passion and skills, every day. He rejected Real Madrid to play for Inter!

Jimmy Fredholm