comment by Phenom (U20037)
posted 7 minutes ago
199
----------------------------------------------------------------------
thanks. 200
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by Phenom(U20037)
posted 7 minutes ago
199
----------------------------------------------------------------------
thanks. 200
----------------------------------------------------------------------
sod it.
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 6 hours, 48 minutes ago
I did think about Robertson. Wasn't sure if he was still top class rather than world class. Don't think he's quite as good as TAA. Plus he is Scottish after all.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
As a wing back, you could argue he’s better.
Like Trent, has lots of assists but he’s clearly the better defender of the two.
comment by RIP Football (U18355)
posted 2 hours, 4 minutes ago
I don’t buy into this top 5 in your position makes you world class garbage.
A world class player should be a seriously talented footballer who can win matches on his own. I would agree with all the players on the OP’s list except for Silva (only coz he’s winding down) and Kante because of his injuries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
‘Garbage’ lol, it’s just a different way of classifying world class. By your definition someone like Wilfried Zaha could be world class.
comment by Christopher - High Priest of The Church of Ndombele (U20930)
posted 1 hour, 47 minutes ago
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 22 minutes ago
Lots of the players are being mentioned on the back of one half decent season (Pereira). Others (TAA and Robertson etc) are patently not WORLD class. There are lots of very good players in the premier league but not many are top, top TOP players season in season out. When people mention Scholes, the man did it over a decade, every year. Pogba doesn't even do it for his girlfriend. Lots of these players have world class reputations but are not world class performers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name better players in their position than TAA and Robertson.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In my opinion, better than Robertson
Alaba, Bernat of PSG, maybe Marcelo, some would add Alex Sandro and Alba has had a very normal season at Barca but has been good for 6 or 7 years.
I think Hakimi, Pavard and the PSG right back are better than TAA.
It's all about opinion. And as good as they are, and they are good, I don't think they are world class.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This was my thought reading this comment lol. By literally any metric if you don’t consider TAA and Robertson world class i’d really think you’re just being bias.
Alex Sandro, Alba have not been at their best for years. Alaba doesn’t even play LB anymore. Hakimi plays RM more. Pavard..lol. I don’t think any Bayern fan would ever describe him as a world class RB.
As for ‘that’ PSG RB, who do you even mean? Meunier? Who, again, has been average at best for a few seasons and has just been sold to Dortmund?
comment by The Power Of Now (U20893)
posted 6 hours, 46 minutes ago
comment by Phenom(U20037)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 33 seconds ago
Is this article a wum?🤔
----------------------------------------------------------------------
cause no Xhaka or Luiz?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xhaka and Mustafi deserve a shout tbf.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
And Giroud
When people mention Scholes, the man did it over a decade, every year.
------
Kane
Aguero
Aubameyang
KDB
Mane
Salah
Sterling
TAA
VVD
Kante
Silva
---------------
Positive list - Glad to see it's not just anyone who turns up for 5 games.
Controversial, but I wouldn't put TAA up there, he's not exactly a complete right-back. If he could improve on his defensive side, there would be no question he'd make the world XI.
Silva and Kante I would exclude from the list, not because they weren't there at one point, just wouldn't think they are now.
Which world class RB out there can both attack and defend to an acceptable level, of TAA doesn’t? TAA is exceptional going forward, average/adequate defensively. The same as some world class full backs like Dani Alves, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos..it is a very outdated view that a world class attacking full-back isn’t one of the best in the world. Literally all the best teams in Europe play with attacking full-backs and so TAA would start and do a good job at all of them.
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 3 minutes ago
Which world class RB out there can both attack and defend to an acceptable level, of TAA doesn’t? TAA is exceptional going forward, average/adequate defensively. The same as some world class full backs like Dani Alves, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos..it is a very outdated view that a world class attacking full-back isn’t one of the best in the world. Literally all the best teams in Europe play with attacking full-backs and so TAA would start and do a good job at all of them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wan Bassaka is exceptional defender, and at best, adequate with the ball moving forward.
I wouldn't class him as a world-class right-back, despite his qualities seem to be on the opposite side of the coin to Trent.
The players you listed were still strong defenders, by no means pushovers. They were always an asset in defence.
That’s a fair assessment of AWB in comparison to TAA. But I would say as attacking full-backs are so important to how every top team plays and has been for years, that’s why (for me) more ‘weight’ is given to TAA being a world class overall full-back than AWB. TAA could go to any top club in the world and be a key asset to them. He has already been a key player in one the most successful English teams in the last 20-30 years. To me it is almost objective fact he has been performing world class for the last two years.
Really? One of the biggest criticisms of all the players I mentioned is their defensive ability. In particular Marcelo. I think the broad aspect of all their games (great going forward, ok at best defensively) is similar to TAA.
For me, personally ...
KDB
VVD
Alisson
Aguero
David Silva
Sterling
Mane
Now I’m struggling to think of others. Feel bad not putting Mo in there but I think he’s playing in a team and a set up that makes him extremely effective.
Even Bobby is arguably the best false 9 behind Messi (if you want to call him that). Could be a case for him too.
I think someone like Benzema could do Bobby’s role and be even more effective
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 2 hours, 51 minutes ago
comment by Christopher - High Priest of The Church of Ndombele (U20930)
posted 1 hour, 47 minutes ago
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 22 minutes ago
Lots of the players are being mentioned on the back of one half decent season (Pereira). Others (TAA and Robertson etc) are patently not WORLD class. There are lots of very good players in the premier league but not many are top, top TOP players season in season out. When people mention Scholes, the man did it over a decade, every year. Pogba doesn't even do it for his girlfriend. Lots of these players have world class reputations but are not world class performers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name better players in their position than TAA and Robertson.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In my opinion, better than Robertson
Alaba, Bernat of PSG, maybe Marcelo, some would add Alex Sandro and Alba has had a very normal season at Barca but has been good for 6 or 7 years.
I think Hakimi, Pavard and the PSG right back are better than TAA.
It's all about opinion. And as good as they are, and they are good, I don't think they are world class.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This was my thought reading this comment lol. By literally any metric if you don’t consider TAA and Robertson world class i’d really think you’re just being bias.
Alex Sandro, Alba have not been at their best for years. Alaba doesn’t even play LB anymore. Hakimi plays RM more. Pavard..lol. I don’t think any Bayern fan would ever describe him as a world class RB.
As for ‘that’ PSG RB, who do you even mean? Meunier? Who, again, has been average at best for a few seasons and has just been sold to Dortmund?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was gonna go through all this but decided if somebody has just come out with above they either don't understand football or haven't watched the abovementioned players. Or worse, are doing a Wahl and ranking players based on their FIFA ratings.
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 4 minutes ago
I think someone like Benzema could do Bobby’s role and be even more effective
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not for me. He's good at taking the ball, running the channels, holding it up etc but nowhere near in terms of pressing, intricate passing, movement.
Completely different roles. Although I do think the team would be around the same level if both players were switched as he is one that could play in our system.
Interesting discussion.
Is there any reason why people feel that any full back must be considered as world class?
I am in the camp of the term being thrown around too freely and believing that there aren’t many world class players, and I don’t see why you’d split it into positions or leagues.
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 4 minutes ago
Interesting discussion.
Is there any reason why people feel that any full back must be considered as world class?
I am in the camp of the term being thrown around too freely and believing that there aren’t many world class players, and I don’t see why you’d split it into positions or leagues.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair point. I think some people class world class as some of the best players in their position. That's the definition I would use.
Although I guess it's perfectly reasonable to suggest that at any one time, some positions may not have a world class player. I like to consider players who have been considered world class in the past and compare against them also.
For example Dani Alves or Roberto Carlos. If I consider them world class then I would compare TAA and Robertson against them. I think they are at least as good as they were although of course they haven't yet had close to the longevity they had. For me Cafu is the benchmark in terms of a right back, I loved watching him play, as a right back myself, I'd put TAA below him but then I'm comparing him against the best right back that I have seen, in my opinion.
I think it’s too soon to be putting TAA and Robertson in those brackets myself.
I know Robertson is at a disadvantage here but I’m also keen to see how TAA does at International level.
Personally I think it’s wrong to split positions. Like someone alluded to, you can end up ranking a full back who is one of the best in his position as world class, above perhaps a midfielder who is a better footballer but not one of the best.
That said, of course you have to judge them in the context of the position they play.
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 26 seconds ago
I think it’s too soon to be putting TAA and Robertson in those brackets myself.
I know Robertson is at a disadvantage here but I’m also keen to see how TAA does at International level.
Personally I think it’s wrong to split positions. Like someone alluded to, you can end up ranking a full back who is one of the best in his position as world class, above perhaps a midfielder who is a better footballer but not one of the best.
That said, of course you have to judge them in the context of the position they play.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's true but I also feel it's more difficult to label a defender world class, or a midfielder who isn't attacking than an attacking player. Which is why 99% of the time attackers get voted the best in the world. This is why I find it better breaking it down into positions.
That’s fair enough, but I’d ask you about Gary Neville in that case.
I think he was a fantastic player but would struggle to argue he was world class.
But how many better right backs in the world were there around the late 90s, early 00s? Two? Three?
A lot of interesting points here but I think you are mentioning too many players. There are players who stand out in their generation. As a Barça fan, I remember Koeman for example as a phenomenal player but he wasn't world class. Ronaldinho was head and shoulders above the rest during his time at Barça, but I'm not sure he was ever consistent enough for long enough to merit being world class. Kaka won Balon d'or, but was he world class? He did nothing at Madrid afterwards.
I saw one writer saying that Alaba was as good as any full back and I agree with him and some of the other names he put forward. But the last world class full backs that there were are Roberto Carlos (absolute monster of a player), Dani Alves and Ashley Cole (underrated in England and well rated (and hated) here).
To sum up, it takes a very special and exceptional player to be world class. There are very few, and some like Ibrahimovic, Suarez and even Hazard are quite world class despite the what people say in my opinion.
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 6 minutes ago
That’s fair enough, but I’d ask you about Gary Neville in that case.
I think he was a fantastic player but would struggle to argue he was world class.
But how many better right backs in the world were there around the late 90s, early 00s? Two? Three?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree in regards to Neville and I thought this at the time he played but then somebody asked me to name a better right back in the PL and I couldn't. I don't think there has been one until TAA. He was solid defensively, not great on the ball and misplaced too many passes for my liking but he had a very good cross. However that's just the PL and at the time players like Cafu, Alves, Zanetti etc were playing who I would have considered world class.
comment by Xiuxiuejar (U6109)
posted 9 minutes ago
A lot of interesting points here but I think you are mentioning too many players. There are players who stand out in their generation. As a Barça fan, I remember Koeman for example as a phenomenal player but he wasn't world class. Ronaldinho was head and shoulders above the rest during his time at Barça, but I'm not sure he was ever consistent enough for long enough to merit being world class. Kaka won Balon d'or, but was he world class? He did nothing at Madrid afterwards.
I saw one writer saying that Alaba was as good as any full back and I agree with him and some of the other names he put forward. But the last world class full backs that there were are Roberto Carlos (absolute monster of a player), Dani Alves and Ashley Cole (underrated in England and well rated (and hated) here).
To sum up, it takes a very special and exceptional player to be world class. There are very few, and some like Ibrahimovic, Suarez and even Hazard are quite world class despite the what people say in my opinion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If Ibrahimovic and Suarez aren't/weren't world class then I think you're setting an extremely high bar.
Is there any reason why people feel that any full back must be considered as world class?
————-
In modern football they are key positions. The best teams tend to have the most expansive and dynamic full-backs. I think they’re very VERY important these days, to have good footballers at full-back.
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 6 minutes ago
That’s fair enough, but I’d ask you about Gary Neville in that case.
I think he was a fantastic player but would struggle to argue he was world class.
But how many better right backs in the world were there around the late 90s, early 00s? Two? Three?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree in regards to Neville and I thought this at the time he played but then somebody asked me to name a better right back in the PL and I couldn't. I don't think there has been one until TAA. He was solid defensively, not great on the ball and misplaced too many passes for my liking but he had a very good cross. However that's just the PL and at the time players like Cafu, Alves, Zanetti etc were playing who I would have considered world class.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I’ve mentioned this before but the principles behind why Neville is so highly rated (consistently playing at quite a high level, being part of very successful winning team, if not being the most talented), can quite easily be applied to Kyle Walker. This is more from an angle though I think Walker gets underrespected though. He started out this decade as one of the best RBs in the Pl and finishes the decade as such. Longevity, success, consistency, won everything domestically, PFA team of the year three times.
Sign in if you want to comment
Who are the world class players in the PL?
Page 9 of 11
7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Phenom (U20037)
posted 7 minutes ago
199
----------------------------------------------------------------------
thanks. 200
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 20 seconds ago
comment by Phenom(U20037)
posted 7 minutes ago
199
----------------------------------------------------------------------
thanks. 200
----------------------------------------------------------------------
sod it.
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 6 hours, 48 minutes ago
I did think about Robertson. Wasn't sure if he was still top class rather than world class. Don't think he's quite as good as TAA. Plus he is Scottish after all.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
As a wing back, you could argue he’s better.
Like Trent, has lots of assists but he’s clearly the better defender of the two.
posted on 20/7/20
comment by RIP Football (U18355)
posted 2 hours, 4 minutes ago
I don’t buy into this top 5 in your position makes you world class garbage.
A world class player should be a seriously talented footballer who can win matches on his own. I would agree with all the players on the OP’s list except for Silva (only coz he’s winding down) and Kante because of his injuries.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
‘Garbage’ lol, it’s just a different way of classifying world class. By your definition someone like Wilfried Zaha could be world class.
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Christopher - High Priest of The Church of Ndombele (U20930)
posted 1 hour, 47 minutes ago
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 22 minutes ago
Lots of the players are being mentioned on the back of one half decent season (Pereira). Others (TAA and Robertson etc) are patently not WORLD class. There are lots of very good players in the premier league but not many are top, top TOP players season in season out. When people mention Scholes, the man did it over a decade, every year. Pogba doesn't even do it for his girlfriend. Lots of these players have world class reputations but are not world class performers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name better players in their position than TAA and Robertson.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In my opinion, better than Robertson
Alaba, Bernat of PSG, maybe Marcelo, some would add Alex Sandro and Alba has had a very normal season at Barca but has been good for 6 or 7 years.
I think Hakimi, Pavard and the PSG right back are better than TAA.
It's all about opinion. And as good as they are, and they are good, I don't think they are world class.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This was my thought reading this comment lol. By literally any metric if you don’t consider TAA and Robertson world class i’d really think you’re just being bias.
Alex Sandro, Alba have not been at their best for years. Alaba doesn’t even play LB anymore. Hakimi plays RM more. Pavard..lol. I don’t think any Bayern fan would ever describe him as a world class RB.
As for ‘that’ PSG RB, who do you even mean? Meunier? Who, again, has been average at best for a few seasons and has just been sold to Dortmund?
posted on 20/7/20
comment by The Power Of Now (U20893)
posted 6 hours, 46 minutes ago
comment by Phenom(U20037)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 33 seconds ago
Is this article a wum?🤔
----------------------------------------------------------------------
cause no Xhaka or Luiz?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Xhaka and Mustafi deserve a shout tbf.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
And Giroud
posted on 20/7/20
When people mention Scholes, the man did it over a decade, every year.
------
posted on 20/7/20
Kane
Aguero
Aubameyang
KDB
Mane
Salah
Sterling
TAA
VVD
Kante
Silva
---------------
Positive list - Glad to see it's not just anyone who turns up for 5 games.
Controversial, but I wouldn't put TAA up there, he's not exactly a complete right-back. If he could improve on his defensive side, there would be no question he'd make the world XI.
Silva and Kante I would exclude from the list, not because they weren't there at one point, just wouldn't think they are now.
posted on 20/7/20
Which world class RB out there can both attack and defend to an acceptable level, of TAA doesn’t? TAA is exceptional going forward, average/adequate defensively. The same as some world class full backs like Dani Alves, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos..it is a very outdated view that a world class attacking full-back isn’t one of the best in the world. Literally all the best teams in Europe play with attacking full-backs and so TAA would start and do a good job at all of them.
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 3 minutes ago
Which world class RB out there can both attack and defend to an acceptable level, of TAA doesn’t? TAA is exceptional going forward, average/adequate defensively. The same as some world class full backs like Dani Alves, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos..it is a very outdated view that a world class attacking full-back isn’t one of the best in the world. Literally all the best teams in Europe play with attacking full-backs and so TAA would start and do a good job at all of them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wan Bassaka is exceptional defender, and at best, adequate with the ball moving forward.
I wouldn't class him as a world-class right-back, despite his qualities seem to be on the opposite side of the coin to Trent.
The players you listed were still strong defenders, by no means pushovers. They were always an asset in defence.
posted on 20/7/20
That’s a fair assessment of AWB in comparison to TAA. But I would say as attacking full-backs are so important to how every top team plays and has been for years, that’s why (for me) more ‘weight’ is given to TAA being a world class overall full-back than AWB. TAA could go to any top club in the world and be a key asset to them. He has already been a key player in one the most successful English teams in the last 20-30 years. To me it is almost objective fact he has been performing world class for the last two years.
Really? One of the biggest criticisms of all the players I mentioned is their defensive ability. In particular Marcelo. I think the broad aspect of all their games (great going forward, ok at best defensively) is similar to TAA.
posted on 20/7/20
For me, personally ...
KDB
VVD
Alisson
Aguero
David Silva
Sterling
Mane
Now I’m struggling to think of others. Feel bad not putting Mo in there but I think he’s playing in a team and a set up that makes him extremely effective.
Even Bobby is arguably the best false 9 behind Messi (if you want to call him that). Could be a case for him too.
posted on 20/7/20
I think someone like Benzema could do Bobby’s role and be even more effective
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 2 hours, 51 minutes ago
comment by Christopher - High Priest of The Church of Ndombele (U20930)
posted 1 hour, 47 minutes ago
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 22 minutes ago
Lots of the players are being mentioned on the back of one half decent season (Pereira). Others (TAA and Robertson etc) are patently not WORLD class. There are lots of very good players in the premier league but not many are top, top TOP players season in season out. When people mention Scholes, the man did it over a decade, every year. Pogba doesn't even do it for his girlfriend. Lots of these players have world class reputations but are not world class performers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name better players in their position than TAA and Robertson.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In my opinion, better than Robertson
Alaba, Bernat of PSG, maybe Marcelo, some would add Alex Sandro and Alba has had a very normal season at Barca but has been good for 6 or 7 years.
I think Hakimi, Pavard and the PSG right back are better than TAA.
It's all about opinion. And as good as they are, and they are good, I don't think they are world class.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This was my thought reading this comment lol. By literally any metric if you don’t consider TAA and Robertson world class i’d really think you’re just being bias.
Alex Sandro, Alba have not been at their best for years. Alaba doesn’t even play LB anymore. Hakimi plays RM more. Pavard..lol. I don’t think any Bayern fan would ever describe him as a world class RB.
As for ‘that’ PSG RB, who do you even mean? Meunier? Who, again, has been average at best for a few seasons and has just been sold to Dortmund?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was gonna go through all this but decided if somebody has just come out with above they either don't understand football or haven't watched the abovementioned players. Or worse, are doing a Wahl and ranking players based on their FIFA ratings.
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Kunta Kante (U1641)
posted 4 minutes ago
I think someone like Benzema could do Bobby’s role and be even more effective
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not for me. He's good at taking the ball, running the channels, holding it up etc but nowhere near in terms of pressing, intricate passing, movement.
Completely different roles. Although I do think the team would be around the same level if both players were switched as he is one that could play in our system.
posted on 20/7/20
Interesting discussion.
Is there any reason why people feel that any full back must be considered as world class?
I am in the camp of the term being thrown around too freely and believing that there aren’t many world class players, and I don’t see why you’d split it into positions or leagues.
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 4 minutes ago
Interesting discussion.
Is there any reason why people feel that any full back must be considered as world class?
I am in the camp of the term being thrown around too freely and believing that there aren’t many world class players, and I don’t see why you’d split it into positions or leagues.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair point. I think some people class world class as some of the best players in their position. That's the definition I would use.
Although I guess it's perfectly reasonable to suggest that at any one time, some positions may not have a world class player. I like to consider players who have been considered world class in the past and compare against them also.
For example Dani Alves or Roberto Carlos. If I consider them world class then I would compare TAA and Robertson against them. I think they are at least as good as they were although of course they haven't yet had close to the longevity they had. For me Cafu is the benchmark in terms of a right back, I loved watching him play, as a right back myself, I'd put TAA below him but then I'm comparing him against the best right back that I have seen, in my opinion.
posted on 20/7/20
I think it’s too soon to be putting TAA and Robertson in those brackets myself.
I know Robertson is at a disadvantage here but I’m also keen to see how TAA does at International level.
Personally I think it’s wrong to split positions. Like someone alluded to, you can end up ranking a full back who is one of the best in his position as world class, above perhaps a midfielder who is a better footballer but not one of the best.
That said, of course you have to judge them in the context of the position they play.
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 26 seconds ago
I think it’s too soon to be putting TAA and Robertson in those brackets myself.
I know Robertson is at a disadvantage here but I’m also keen to see how TAA does at International level.
Personally I think it’s wrong to split positions. Like someone alluded to, you can end up ranking a full back who is one of the best in his position as world class, above perhaps a midfielder who is a better footballer but not one of the best.
That said, of course you have to judge them in the context of the position they play.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's true but I also feel it's more difficult to label a defender world class, or a midfielder who isn't attacking than an attacking player. Which is why 99% of the time attackers get voted the best in the world. This is why I find it better breaking it down into positions.
posted on 20/7/20
That’s fair enough, but I’d ask you about Gary Neville in that case.
I think he was a fantastic player but would struggle to argue he was world class.
But how many better right backs in the world were there around the late 90s, early 00s? Two? Three?
posted on 20/7/20
A lot of interesting points here but I think you are mentioning too many players. There are players who stand out in their generation. As a Barça fan, I remember Koeman for example as a phenomenal player but he wasn't world class. Ronaldinho was head and shoulders above the rest during his time at Barça, but I'm not sure he was ever consistent enough for long enough to merit being world class. Kaka won Balon d'or, but was he world class? He did nothing at Madrid afterwards.
I saw one writer saying that Alaba was as good as any full back and I agree with him and some of the other names he put forward. But the last world class full backs that there were are Roberto Carlos (absolute monster of a player), Dani Alves and Ashley Cole (underrated in England and well rated (and hated) here).
To sum up, it takes a very special and exceptional player to be world class. There are very few, and some like Ibrahimovic, Suarez and even Hazard are quite world class despite the what people say in my opinion.
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 6 minutes ago
That’s fair enough, but I’d ask you about Gary Neville in that case.
I think he was a fantastic player but would struggle to argue he was world class.
But how many better right backs in the world were there around the late 90s, early 00s? Two? Three?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree in regards to Neville and I thought this at the time he played but then somebody asked me to name a better right back in the PL and I couldn't. I don't think there has been one until TAA. He was solid defensively, not great on the ball and misplaced too many passes for my liking but he had a very good cross. However that's just the PL and at the time players like Cafu, Alves, Zanetti etc were playing who I would have considered world class.
posted on 20/7/20
comment by Xiuxiuejar (U6109)
posted 9 minutes ago
A lot of interesting points here but I think you are mentioning too many players. There are players who stand out in their generation. As a Barça fan, I remember Koeman for example as a phenomenal player but he wasn't world class. Ronaldinho was head and shoulders above the rest during his time at Barça, but I'm not sure he was ever consistent enough for long enough to merit being world class. Kaka won Balon d'or, but was he world class? He did nothing at Madrid afterwards.
I saw one writer saying that Alaba was as good as any full back and I agree with him and some of the other names he put forward. But the last world class full backs that there were are Roberto Carlos (absolute monster of a player), Dani Alves and Ashley Cole (underrated in England and well rated (and hated) here).
To sum up, it takes a very special and exceptional player to be world class. There are very few, and some like Ibrahimovic, Suarez and even Hazard are quite world class despite the what people say in my opinion.
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If Ibrahimovic and Suarez aren't/weren't world class then I think you're setting an extremely high bar.
posted on 20/7/20
Is there any reason why people feel that any full back must be considered as world class?
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In modern football they are key positions. The best teams tend to have the most expansive and dynamic full-backs. I think they’re very VERY important these days, to have good footballers at full-back.
posted on 20/7/20
comment by There'sOnlyOneRed's (U1721)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by Winston (U16525)
posted 6 minutes ago
That’s fair enough, but I’d ask you about Gary Neville in that case.
I think he was a fantastic player but would struggle to argue he was world class.
But how many better right backs in the world were there around the late 90s, early 00s? Two? Three?
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I agree in regards to Neville and I thought this at the time he played but then somebody asked me to name a better right back in the PL and I couldn't. I don't think there has been one until TAA. He was solid defensively, not great on the ball and misplaced too many passes for my liking but he had a very good cross. However that's just the PL and at the time players like Cafu, Alves, Zanetti etc were playing who I would have considered world class.
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I’ve mentioned this before but the principles behind why Neville is so highly rated (consistently playing at quite a high level, being part of very successful winning team, if not being the most talented), can quite easily be applied to Kyle Walker. This is more from an angle though I think Walker gets underrespected though. He started out this decade as one of the best RBs in the Pl and finishes the decade as such. Longevity, success, consistency, won everything domestically, PFA team of the year three times.
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