Do Two classy defenders work well in the modern game?

[juniormember]

So, with rumors flying around about Skrtel (and the endless arguments here about his worth), it got me thinking about the potential of a Coates Agger partnership.
Agger's a very classy defender. He does get physical, of course, but his biggest attributes are his reading of the game and his top notch talent when on the ball.
Coates' qualities, though to a lesser extent (and my views are limited on his few LFC games plus Copa America), seems to be quite similar to Agger. He does have the advantage of his pure physical presence of course, but he doesn't seem to play like the typical big centre back.

Putting aside the kinds of players that played 30 odd years ago, in recent years, as far as I can remember there have usually been successful CB pairings using the 'classy' + 'physical' formula.
At Liverpool we've recently had great partnerships in Hyppia/Honchoz, Hyppia/Carra, Agger/Carra, and now Agger/Skrtel.
Then we've recently got title winning partnerships in : Chelsea that had Carvalho/Terry, mancs had Ferdinand/Vidic, Arsenal had Adams/Keon, City Kompany/Lescott.

All seem to follow that formula.
Last season's Skrtel/Agger partnership looked great.

Now, let's assume Coates proves to be a great player. Will this partnership work? Is there a reason why the successful english sides haven't really gone for this classy/classy partnership?
I remember Hyppia/Agger partnership looking good on the odd occasion Carra wasn't playing. Is this because Hyppia was so damn good at what he did, or was there something to the partnership of the two classy players?

I feel positive about Coates' potential worth to our team, but it just got me thinking today that there aren't too many examples of a CB pairing in recent years that worked that way.
What say you?

 

[juniormember]

 

[Leo]

Tis all good we are signing the 2nd best defender in the history of the universe to play alongside Agger.
Simon Kjaer

 

[Judge Jules]

The best CB combo we've ever had was made up of two classy as opposed to physical players, namely Hansen and Lawrenson, and that was less than 30 years ago, albeit not by too much. However, it's rare for two players of such outstanding quality (make no mistake, Lawrenson's a cnut but he could play) to come along at the same time. Agger, good as he may be, is not at that level and we have no way of telling whether Coates will get there. Besides - and crucially - they had the likes of Souness in midfield to do any assassinating which might be required. In other words, it all depends on the quality of player you're looking at, both in the centre of defence and around it. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules which apply over and above that. Agger and Coates may be a good enough duo, but we won't know unless/until we try it.

 

[SummerOnions]

I think Kelly and Agger might work quite well

 

[juniormember]

The best CB combo we've ever had was made up of two classy as opposed to physical players, namely Hansen and Lawrenson, and that was less than 30 years ago, albeit not by too much. However, it's rare for two players of such outstanding quality (make no mistake, Lawrenson's a cnut but he could play) to come along at the same time. Agger, good as he may be, is not at that level and we have no way of telling whether Coates will get there. Besides - and crucially - they had the likes of Souness in midfield to do any assassinating which might be required. In other words, it all depends on the quality of player you're looking at, both in the centre of defence and around it. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules which apply over and above that. Agger and Coates may be a good enough duo, but we won't know unless/until we try it.

Good points JJ.
Purposely left out the Lawro/Hansen partnership, as I think they're a special case.
Your mention of Souness is very interesting.
Hmm. So I guess there's no answer until it's given a go.
Still think there has to be a reason why most managers don't take the approach.