What is a World Class player?

I want to start by saying that imo the term world class is well over used by fans and the medai. But with the Liverpool fans going on about Suarez being a truly world class player , a sentiment I personally disagree with; I was wondering what do you reckon is the mark of World Class? What current Utd players if any can be described as truly world class? Also name those players in the Premier League who can be qualified as being World Class.

Should be interesting!


Damn it. Wrong forum. Mods please move to the Utd board. Please!

 

Bloody wums.

 

age old debate this one.

most seem to have settled on the squad approach, anme 22 players for a squad and thats your lot.

some go for top 5 in a position either but i find that sometimes has a few guys that you'd shrug at in 10 years time being quoted.

As for suarez, i think simply put you've your opinion and there's no point debating that so we'll all just agree you're biased and ignore that

players in the prem then:

1. Van persie. Why? cos he's got the nicest strike off the left foot of just about anyone in the world today.

2. Kompany (MAYBE, big maybe)

3. Aguero why? electric player.

I honestly think if i were doing a squad of say 23 there would be a lot of players from spain and bayern in it in every position. There might be a shout for some like loris, bale and mata but really i think they'd be well down my full list.

 

The only ones in the premier league:

Bale
Mata
Silva
Yaya
Rooney
RVP

Though if the true definition of world class are Messi & Ronaldo then none of the above come close.. I think players like pele, maradonna Messi & ronaldo are a cut above world class.

in bygone years i'd have said lampard, Gerrard, Scholes, Giggs, Henry, Bergkamp

 

Every player in every team that qualifies for the World Cup.

 

I would define a player as 'world class' as someone who wouldn't look out of place in a World XI team.

Suarez is world class IMO - bar last season, he's scores a lot of goals. Not only this, his overall team play is very good, gets assists and fights (and bites!) for the team. Not only does he have the technical ability but his off the ball contribution is remarkable - the work rate and desire to chase down every ball is almost unrivalled.

Physically, he can play 50 games a season and he plays with such high intensity in every game.

His goal against Newcastle this season was a true mark of world class, just as RVP's goal last night. Using these two examples, they weren't hit and hope efforts. Display of timing, control, technique, composure.

 

No need to move it. Recreate over there too. Just as valid here.

Have seen this question before and you get many answers.

I think the median response though would be a player who would be on the shortlist to include in a World-XI.

So anyone who is the best in their position... or would be someone considered to replace anyone in that position were they injured.

So... in response to Suarez. Would he be considered on a world XI. I think he would have to be considered... probably wouldn't get in starting line up... wouldn't want him biting a Martian and starting worlds war 1.

 

on that basis of world class i'd allow suarez in.. though id take ageuro or rooney over him.

 

Which strickers would you have on the list then ? :

Messi
Ronaldo
Falcao
The lad at Napoli
RVP
Suarez
Bebe ?

 

Aguero is a good shout. Rooney - I'm not so sure. I think he's inconsistent i.e. he'll have a great patch of scoring goals but then he'll go quiet for long periods. However, I don't watch MUFC for 90 mins every week so I can't see his overall contribution to the team.

 

you only put rooney in cos the threads on the LFC board.

I'd actually argue the toss with you on silva as i'd put a couple fo others out there ahead of him even though he is vital to city. I would not argue MUCH about your byegone years list other than to say frank is a David platt, good but never the best.

You do make a very good point about the very cream of the crop as it were. Messi and ronaldo are ona different level altogether, like di stefano, puskas and pele... maradonna and best wasted theirs in some ways didn't they. Above world class is i guess world xi v legends on fifa isn't it

i sincerely doubt if you were looking back ten years from now you'd put bale and silva i nthe same catagory as you might put ronaldo mark i or zidane from the 90s.

 

Steve.

 

If i were going for a front three I'd have messi and ronaldo and falcao. then the bench would be hulk, RVP and i'm sort of leaning towards someone like Lewandowski rather than the silvas or matas of this world

i'd then be looking at a midfield 3 or alonso, iniesta, xavi back with subs of martinez, ozil and schweinsteiger

left back = lahm, contreau and alba.

right back = ramos, alves and not quite sure...

Cbs: got to be a shout for kompany, sliva, Hummel (potential), Chiellini

Keeper - neuer, loris and valdes

there you go.... You tell me in that model who to drop for those players cos they are all top class players. its no disrespect even on my part to mr ronney but we are not putting benzema and several others in there.

 

Don't think Suarez would make the list as a striker.

More as an inside forward/advanced winger. He wouldn't get in ahead of Messi or Ronaldo but could be a sub on said team.

 

Rooney is world class? A world class granny shagging pikey.

 

.

 

On footballing skill, rooney over Suarez, pull the other one Just can't take you seriously sweats

 

See I would argue suarez is inconsistent, as he plays well when you as a team play well, when your team are struggling he is quiet. Rooney on the other hand does repeatedly pull something out the bag when we are playing badly. When we are playing well he just slots into the team.

 

I know what you mean with silva as he hasnt made the same impact his year but he is clearly a talented lad.. As to lampard thats your team bias swaying you as there has always been the gerrard vs lampard thing for years..

As to the cream of the crop, i'd put zidane up there with messi etc.. I'd be tempted with Henry also as he was just a joy to watch. I think Bale will be up there, we are too harsh on our own too often the lad is tremendous. .

 

I may change my opinon if Suarez was playing in a top side. for me as i posted just, he goes missing when you play badly. I'm not disputing him on footballing ability he is a quality player, but last season he couldnt hit a barn door. Youre all writing rooney off as inconsistent as he has been a bit this season but I've seen the lad play in the flesh and watch us constantly and he is a proper team player. something sadly suarez will never be..