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World Class Spurs players since 1986

Spurger King

can't smile without glue
Jul 22, 2008
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1986 isn't a randomly picked year - it's the year Alex Ferguson started being the United manager.

As I'm sure you're aware, he recently said that during that period he only had four 'world class' players - Cantona, Scholes, Giggs, and Fake Ronaldo.

So I thought it would be interesting to see how many 'world class' players you think we've had in the same period. What does 'world class' even mean? Is Ledley world class despite (or even because of) his injury? Was Bale world class, or would he need to play at that level for several seasons to get that title? Have we had any players that compare to the four listed by old Bacon Face, or have we merely had 'great' players?

I'm not too clear on pre-1990 Spurs, but obviously Hoddle was still playing for us up until 1987. Other names that spring to mind include Lineker, Gazza, Sheringham, Judas, Ginola, Atouba, King (as mentioned), Berbatov, Modric, VDV, Bale, and Lloris.
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,562
Going by Fergie's criteria the answer is none - not even GHod.

Whether you agree with Fergie's criteria or not is another matter.
 

Spurger King

can't smile without glue
Jul 22, 2008
43,881
95,147
Going by Fergie's criteria the answer is none - not even GHod.

Whether you agree with Fergie's criteria or not is another matter.

Well that's just it. I can think of several United players not on Fergie's list that would be up there with the very best had they played for us.

Ronaldo played for United for roughly the same amount of time as Bale did for us, and like Bale he wasn't regarded as a world great for the bulk of that period.

Shit - I forgot Klinsmann!

For me, King was world class in terms of ability, but not world class in terms of being severely troubled by injuries. Lineker, Gazza, Modric, and Bale were all players that I think would have got into any team on the planet during their best days with us. Does that make them world class? Would we consider them world class if they continue to play at a high level for other teams?
 

Qualsonic

Good Grief
Nov 24, 2010
3,062
6,687
I think on a world stage Bale and Gazza are the ones that really stand out, the ones an "outsider" would pick out. But there have been no better footballers through our gates than Hoddle and to a lesser degree Modric
 

For the love of Spurs

Well-Known Member
Mar 28, 2015
3,444
11,252
Lineker definitely - one the best strikers ever in the English league.

Gazza - talent wise easily up there with Fergies list. One of the most talented players we will ever see. Could have been more though like Maradonna.

Bale - if Giggs is in then Bale is better so must be on the list. That being said Bales consistent world class performances came in the final year of his Spurs tenure.

Sad thing is most of these players we didn't have for that long. We have had WC players just never enough at anyone time in the right positions for long enough. Fergie got a great team front to back.
 

rabbikeane

Well-Known Member
Mar 29, 2005
6,884
12,677
Osvaldo Ardiles
Richard Gough
Glenn Hoddle
Chris Waddle
Paul Gascoigne
Gary Lineker
Teddy Sheringham
Jurgen Klinsmann
David Ginola
Sol Campbell
Ledley King
Dimitar Berbatov
Luka Modric
Rafael van der Vaart
Gareth Bale
Hugo Lloris


From the level below: Anderton, Carr, Carrick, Woodgate, Keane

Sadly as soon as they reach their peak we lose them either to other clubs or injury
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
As I said in the other thread in general football, I think 'world class' is so vague and only really should be used for a very few players. It should also really have a lot to do with consistency and proving it year in, year out. In that sense I'd say none (I can only recall back to 1995).

I'd personally 'score' players as 'Exceptional' (Ronaldo/Messi for instance), 'Very Good', 'Good' etc. On that scale I'd still say we haven't had that many high scoring players. Plenty of 'good' ones, maybe a few 'very good'. I think most though that stick in my mind haven't had the consistency of performances for us though.
 

Spurger King

can't smile without glue
Jul 22, 2008
43,881
95,147
As I said in the other thread in general football, I think 'world class' is so vague and only really should be used for a very few players. It should also really have a lot to do with consistency and proving it year in, year out. In that sense I'd say none (I can only recall back to 1995).

I'd personally 'score' players as 'Exceptional' (Ronaldo/Messi for instance), 'Very Good', 'Good' etc. On that scale I'd still say we haven't had that many high scoring players. Plenty of 'good' ones, maybe a few 'very good'. I think most though that stick in my mind haven't had the consistency of performances for us though.

It's certainly a problematic term. I tend to think of 'world class' as meaning any player that is/was playing at such a level that they could get into any side in the world at that time and be one of their star players. The problem is when you get a player that has a sensational season, then never repeats it.

King was certainly consistent when he actually played. Gazza was inconsistent after his injury. Modric has been incredible throughout his career, and Bale has hardly been a flop since joining Madrid (despite what their moaning micro-penis fans might think).
 

Third Kit '87

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2012
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Ridiculous that Fergie didnt include peter schmeichel in his list. Or Roy Keane. I suspect the entire point of this remark was to have a dig at Keane (maybe Schmeichel too). I would say Lineker, Gazza, Klinsmann (1st time around), King, Bale and Lloris. I am loath to say this but maybe Judas was too but I am too blinded by hatered to think rationally on that one....
 

ultimateloner

Well-Known Member
Jan 25, 2004
4,539
2,149
For me World-class players need to make quantifiable difference so my bias is towards forwards/goal scoring midfielders/GK.
They also need to be irreplaceable.

Therefore only Bale and Lloris would fit that profile in recent memory.

I think SAF is generous with Gigg's inclusion. The other 3 I can't argue.
 

ultimateloner

Well-Known Member
Jan 25, 2004
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Btw for similar reasons I don't think King was ever world class. Not only does he lack consistency (due to injuries) there were also good defenders in his time. Cannavaro was better than him. Even in the UK Ferdinand/Terry were ahead.

I think he deserves respect for loyalty but its important to seperate mind from heart in these instances. For example Gerrard was never world class, but I'm sure alot of Kop fans would think he is.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
It's certainly a problematic term. I tend to think of 'world class' as meaning any player that is/was playing at such a level that they could get into any side in the world at that time and be one of their star players. The problem is when you get a player that has a sensational season, then never repeats it.

King was certainly consistent when he actually played. Gazza was inconsistent after his injury. Modric has been incredible throughout his career, and Bale has hardly been a flop since joining Madrid (despite what their moaning micro-penis fans might think).

I used King as an example in the other thread. I'd argue his ability against any other defender, and he could potentially have reached that level, but unfortunately injury meant it never happened.

Bale I also mentioned. I don't think we saw the consistency when he was with us, at least not for a long enough period of time. I'd even argue that for Madrid he hasn't yet stamped his authority week in, week out on games to be fully cemented in the absolute top bracket of players.

I'd definitely say Modric is near that level, and was with us. And out of our current lot Hugo... Actually I change my mind. Hugo is top bracket when it comes to goalkeepers. So there's one :)
 

Spurger King

can't smile without glue
Jul 22, 2008
43,881
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I used King as an example in the other thread. I'd argue his ability against any other defender, and he could potentially have reached that level, but unfortunately injury meant it never happened.

Bale I also mentioned. I don't think we saw the consistency when he was with us, at least not for a long enough period of time. I'd even argue that for Madrid he hasn't yet stamped his authority week in, week out on games to be fully cemented in the absolute top bracket of players.

I'd definitely say Modric is near that level, and was with us. And out of our current lot Hugo... Actually I change my mind. Hugo is top bracket when it comes to goalkeepers. So there's one :)

Yep I think Hugo was performing at an incredible level before joining us, and it looks like we're going to get three seasons of him continuing at that level (or better). Can't think of a better keeper we've had since I've been supporting Spurs (1990 +), although he'll never be able to compete with Walker's mammoth curtains.
 

Xeeleeyid

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2012
1,693
3,186
I can't really comment on pre-90's Spurs, I just wasn't old enough.

For me:

Lineker
Gazza
Klinsmann
Ginola
****belljudas
Modric
Bale

I think world class does get banded around too much and I'm with Fergie on that one. I think the above players, based on their achievements, their stature, their attitude and their impact are all world class. Some people will probably slaughter me for putting twatfaceJudas in there and not King. It's not even that I think ****twat is a better player. I think King was a superior player in every respect. I think if King hadn't had the injuries he had, he'd have probably won a lot more England caps and 2bf, probably would have left us (being honest). I'm just being objective and in some reptilian way, you DO have to respect the HUGE balls twat**** had to make that career move and you have to admit it worked out for him in terms of achievements even if we still hate him for it.
 

Spurger King

can't smile without glue
Jul 22, 2008
43,881
95,147
I can't really comment on pre-90's Spurs, I just wasn't old enough.

For me:

Lineker
Gazza
Klinsmann
Ginola
****belljudas
Modric
Bale

I think world class does get banded around too much and I'm with Fergie on that one. I think the above players, based on their achievements, their stature, their attitude and their impact are all world class. Some people will probably slaughter me for putting twatfaceJudas in there and not King. It's not even that I think ****twat is a better player. I think King was a superior player in every respect. I think if King hadn't had the injuries he had, he'd have probably won a lot more England caps and 2bf, probably would have left us (being honest). I'm just being objective and in some reptilian way, you DO have to respect the HUGE balls twat**** had to make that career move and you have to admit it worked out for him in terms of achievements even if we still hate him for it.

Judas was and continues to be a ****, but he was undoubtedly a great player for us. I felt particularly spurned by him because I'd been a fan since his youth player days. The brother of a school friend was in the Spurs youth team at the same time as him (and others such as Andy Turner and Darren Caskey), and used to crow about Judas all the time. I remember him scoring against Chelsea as a sub, then seeing him establish himself as our star player.

What a thunder ****.

In terms of who would be the most coveted players to pass through our gates, Judas would be above King for obvious, injury-related reasons. For me, King was a better player, and a real Spurs legend. Chances are, without the injury he would have ended up having his pick of the biggest clubs on the planet. I consider it a huge privilege to have seen King playing live.
 
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