Alex Ferguson: I only worked with four world-class players at Man Utd

[nailsy]

I think he's slyly sniping at Rooney.

Berbatov was world-class imvvvvvho

I was thinking about the number of world class players we've had at Tottenham during the Fergie years...Gazza, Lineker, Klinsmann, Bale, Modric, Ledley, Campbell, Waddle, Hoddle, Ossie. You can debate about whether all those were world class but it seems strange that they only four.

 

[Gassin's finest]

This isn't about any football insight from a great master of the game, this is about ol' whiskey nose handing out some free kudos to his mates, and publicly slighting by omission the likes of Keane, Beckham and Rooney.

And Schmeichal? How was he not world class?

 

[mpickard2087]

'World class' is thrown out far too much. For me its a vague term and for me means the very elite players, and it's about doing it over a period of time as well, season in, season out and having a proven pedigree. There aren't many who could/should fall into that category. I'd defend Ledley and his ability against any other defender all day long for instance, but I don't think we can deem him world class. He may potentially have got in contention at some point being injury free, but it didn't happen. I wouldn't even put Bale in that category, for us or at Real, yet until he's consistent and really stamping his mark on games.

Labels used should really be 'exceptional' (for Messi/Ronaldo), 'Very good', 'good' etc.

 

[max cady]

For me footbal has been littered with great players but imo very few have been world class as I see (in my time) only Pele, Beckenbaur, Maradona & Best. I say this because if you look at the players who were playing during that time, they had to aspire to be as good as the aforementioned. They all played when they didn't have the luxury of being protected by referees when defenders were given a free reign to try and decapitate them. I remember the 66 world cup when Pele and to be fair most of the brazilian team were man-handled and booted from one end of england to the other, also who can forget his displays in the 62/70 w/c. One must not forget his goalscoring heroics for Santos & NYC. I also remember the emergence of Der Kaiser and the way he glided across the grass. How the defenders of today wish they had half of his skill. Maradona for all his off-field antics was still a world class player, I would not say the best of the best but up there. The way he guided Argentina, Napoli and to a lesser extent Barca is truly breath-taking. Then we have my fellow Irishman, Best............Pele once said of him as the best he had seen (speaks volumes) who can forget his stunning goal against us when he chipped big Pat from inside the 6 yard box or his deft footwork when Ron Chopper Harris tried to decapitate him v Chelsea. Had Best of been any other nationality other than Irish I would bet my life he would have been held in higher regard than what he is.

How much in todays market would the 4 players I mentioned be worth today. When you consider the figures for the likes of Bale & Ronaldo it is frightful.

 

[Donki]

For me footbal has been littered with great players but imo very few have been world class as I see (in my time) only Pele, Beckenbaur, Maradona & Best. I say this because if you look at the players who were playing during that time, they had to aspire to be as good as the aforementioned. They all played when they didn't have the luxury of being protected by referees when defenders were given a free reign to try and decapitate them. I remember the 66 world cup when Pele and to be fair most of the brazilian team were man-handled and booted from one end of england to the other, also who can forget his displays in the 62/70 w/c. One must not forget his goalscoring heroics for Santos & NYC. I also remember the emergence of Der Kaiser and the way he glided across the grass. How the defenders of today wish they had half of his skill. Maradona for all his off-field antics was still a world class player, I would not say the best of the best but up there. The way he guided Argentina, Napoli and to a lesser extent Barca is truly breath-taking. Then we have my fellow Irishman, Best............Pele once said of him as the best he had seen (speaks volumes) who can forget his stunning goal against us when he chipped big Pat from inside the 6 yard box or his deft footwork when Ron Chopper Harris tried to decapitate him v Chelsea. Had Best of been any other nationality other than Irish I would bet my life he would have been held in higher regard than what he is.

How much in todays market would the 4 players I mentioned be worth today. When you consider the figures for the likes of Bale & Ronaldo it is frightful.

Was going to correct a minor detail there biglad but I will let you away with it, I am with you on every other aspect of our Georgie.

 

[Misfit]

I think he's slyly sniping at Rooney.

Berbatov was world-class imvvvvvho

That smooth bastard had all the talent and skill to at least be on the Zidane level. Mind you, skill and talent are the only things he had. More than enough to make him gobs of money and win some shiny things but it is apparent you need a whole lot more than natural ability to become world class. He could have been but wasn't imo.

 

[Misfit]

Would Cruyff not fall into that category @max cady ?

 

[Spurrific]

That smooth bastard had all the talent and skill to at least be on the Zidane level. Mind you, skill and talent are the only things he had. More than enough to make him gobs of money and win some shiny things but it is apparent you need a whole lot more than natural ability to become world class. He could have been but wasn't imo.

I disagree, and never call me out again x

 

[aliyid]

What did Rio say?

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...mments-in-lengthy-facebook-post-10515133.html

 

[Misfit]

Rio has been merked.

 

[Mullers]

schmeichel and Keane world class without a doubt. If Keane was not world class than Vieira was either.
Cantona was not, he never impressed when he played in Europe.

 

[ethanedwards]

schmeichel and Keane world class without a doubt. If Keane was not world class than Vieira was either.
Cantona was not, he never impressed when he played in Europe.

Correct.
If you had the option to chose either player for your team at their peak, Keane every time.

 

[max cady]

Would Cruyff not fall into that category @max cady ?

For you @ Misfit I will give him an honorary mention. Cruyff was indeed a great player who played in the greatest Ajax side ever, he also played for possibly the best team never to win the world cup..............although many will debate Brazil 82 & 86 were the best but thats for another convo.

 

[Misfit]

Yay @max cady . I'll admit, it's just a personal pref. Those who you mentioned are the undoubted all-timers.

 

[Misfit]

And yes, I think Keane's reputation for being a reet dirty get overshadows what a good player he was. He was a destroyer, and general, and intimidator but he could weight a pass, spot a run and get a goal when needed.

Him and Scholes were the foundations of everything Yanited build in the last 20 years. Certainly when it came to turning them into a genuine European power again.

 

[sparx100]

Schmeichel was definitely world class. What a keeper.

 

[Flynn]

Very sad day when he retired from international football. We went from slim chance to fat chance.

Don't go bringing Frank Lampard into it.

 

[For the love of Spurs]

Scholes is still the best player I have seen in the PL for me. As good as Xavi at passing only better at attacking. You only have to look at all the pros like Zidane to what they think of him. England used him so poor at times, there is no player in the league right now near his quality.

 

[ethanedwards]

And yes, I think Keane's reputation for being a reet dirty get overshadows what a good player he was. He was a destroyer, and general, and intimidator but he could weight a pass, spot a run and get a goal when needed.

Him and Scholes were the foundations of everything Yanited build in the last 20 years. Certainly when it came to turning them into a genuine European power again.

His performance in CL semi final against Juventus in1999, was exceptional, lives long in the old footballing memory bank.

 

[aliyid]

For me world class means they could walk into the starting 11 of any team at one time in their career so under 'ol red nose' I would include:

• Schmeichel
• Staam
• Keane
• Scholes
• Giggs
• Ronaldo
• Van Nistelrooy
• Cantona

I'd call the Cole & Yorke partnership world class but as players on their own they fall just below that level into the same space as Super Teddy, Berbatov & Rooney.

Wasn't old enough when Robson, Hughes, Irwin & Bruce were playing to remember if they would count too.