D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)

You still at it?

We were discussing my 'full seasons in the PL' comment, which came after.

I laughed because I find the idea that Robertson is one of the best ever fullbacks in the PL as ludicrous.

Your desperation to get one over on me is making you look like a buffoon. Grow up.

comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 1 minute ago
Weird that Bale started off as a fairly crap fullback for Spurs and then went on to become a multiple CL winning forward/striker for Real Madrid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even though it was the second half of the 09/10 season that his form started completely changing with his pace and attacking ability, after that Inter game you could tell he was eventually going to be more than just a full back.

It just shows that you have to be patient with young players as they can improve exponentially over time as they develop. Something we've been very guilty of here at Chelsea until now anyway.

comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 23 seconds ago
It just shows that you have to be patient with young players as they can improve exponentially over time as they develop. Something we've been very guilty of here at Chelsea until now anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Agreed - plenty of players who you wouldn't be raving about based on their first year or two, but have grown into great players.

De Gea probably classed in that bracket as well!

Look at Kane too.

I guess on the flip side of us not being a side that spends huge amounts like a City or a Chelsea, we've been less likely to move players on and that's partly why we've seen first Bale and then Kane go from nothing players to superstars.

you paid 10million for bale in the first place
But agree with the sentiment

I don't recall Robertson being heralded as one of the league's best in his short time in the PL with Hull, though stand to be corrected by that. I feel anyone mentioning him in this discussion does so entirely based on his time at Liverpool.

——

I thought he looked better for Hull than the more hyped shaw did for saints. I was right, he’s mile’s better than shaw these days, not even close.

comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 10 minutes ago
you paid 10million for bale in the first place
But agree with the sentiment
----------------------------------------------------------------------
And he was essentially just a squad player. Think he may have had a reputation as a bit of a free kick specialist back then too. But nobody could have expected his rise to the top as suddenly as it came. Same with Kane.

comment by Ole-Dirty-Baz ta’rd (U19119)
posted 7 minutes ago
I don't recall Robertson being heralded as one of the league's best in his short time in the PL with Hull, though stand to be corrected by that. I feel anyone mentioning him in this discussion does so entirely based on his time at Liverpool.

——

I thought he looked better for Hull than the more hyped shaw did for saints. I was right, he’s mile’s better than shaw these days, not even close.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Fair play

comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 21 minutes ago
Look at Kane too.

I guess on the flip side of us not being a side that spends huge amounts like a City or a Chelsea, we've been less likely to move players on and that's partly why we've seen first Bale and then Kane go from nothing players to superstars.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Agreed.

I still believe there were potential stars stuck in the Chelsea system who never got a fair crack.

Robertson looked pretty ordinary at Hull to me, not standout, I never would’ve predicted his rise. I remember watching that Hull team, Maguire definitely stood out, Robertson less so.

Already discussed I know but you can’t ignore Kyle Walker imo.

comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 36 minutes ago
Already discussed I know but you can’t ignore Kyle Walker imo.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, he is above Azpi tbh

I'd say Cole is overall the best fullback of the PL era. Very dependable defensively, tactically and positionally aware, good in one-on-one duels, dynamic going forward. He wasn't a particularly good crosser, but he was a player who rarely let you down.

comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 1 hour, 40 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 21 minutes ago
Look at Kane too.

I guess on the flip side of us not being a side that spends huge amounts like a City or a Chelsea, we've been less likely to move players on and that's partly why we've seen first Bale and then Kane go from nothing players to superstars.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Agreed.

I still believe there were potential stars stuck in the Chelsea system who never got a fair crack.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed. De Bruyne almost messed up his career at Chelsea and he's a fantabulous player. And that's KDB who already had made a name for himself.

comment by Nostraduncus (U11713)
posted 5 hours, 43 minutes ago
irwin won the CL in 99.

for me the best fullback in PL history.
great defensively, good going forward, great free kick taker and was as good on the left as he was on the right.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Also had a season for us in the prem, alas not his favourite season i am sure

Agree with your list Nick. I can't look past A. Cole & G. Neville as 1 & 2. Neville in particular because he was playing like a modern day WB before it was a recognized thing in the PL, no-one else from the 90's can be fairly compared to anything after cos the old FB role evolved very quickly.

I'd have A. Cole at #1 purely because arguably the most talented player in PL history (C. Ronaldo) always had a tough game against him. He's the most complete FB/WB for the longest duration of time the league has ever had.

Surprised people leaving out Coleman & Baines, probably not too 3 but pure consistency and longevity, Coleman still excellent

comment by Sheriff John Brown - Emery OUT!!! (U7482)
posted 2 days, 4 hours ago
I'd say Cole is overall the best fullback of the PL era. Very dependable defensively, tactically and positionally aware, good in one-on-one duels, dynamic going forward. He wasn't a particularly good crosser, but he was a player who rarely let you down.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Without a shadow of a doubt. He was superb at Arsenal and Chelsea.

comment by The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning (U16342)
posted 2 days, 5 hours ago
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 36 minutes ago
Already discussed I know but you can’t ignore Kyle Walker imo.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, he is above Azpi tbh
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Can’t agrre with that at all. Walker as an athlete yes but had some shockers.

comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 37 seconds ago
comment by The Black Hawk War, or, How to Demolish an Entire Civilization and Still Feel Good About Yourself in the Morning (U16342)
posted 2 days, 5 hours ago
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 36 minutes ago
Already discussed I know but you can’t ignore Kyle Walker imo.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, he is above Azpi tbh
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't think Neville should be two, Ivanovic was better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The best two I've seen are Cole and Irwin

After that, there are plenty