World Class Spurs players since 1986

[Makkaveli101]

Gazza
Lineker
Klinsmann
Bale

 

[Spurs 1961]

Personally I think that world class should go to players who are in the best one or two players in their position in the world at the time.

So using that I would say, Ardiles, Lineker, Gazza, Klinsmann, Modric, Bale

I think though King, Sherringham and Hoddle are among my favourite players in this time period

 

[tototoner]

Hoddle
Lineker
Klinsmann
Gazza
Campbell
King
Modric
Van der Vaart
Bale

 

[nailsy]

Klinsman, Hoddle, Gazza, Bale, Campbell, King, Hugo, Lineker.

These are the players who I think could have been picked for a world eleven (or their opposition) at the time they played for Tottenham.

 

[double0]

King
Modric
Bale
Sol Campbell
Lloris
Hoddle
Waddle
Ardiles
Lineker
Gazza
Klinsmann
Sheringham imo.
Potentially... Eriksen Lamela Kane Alli Dier Bentaleb Mason

 

[dagraham]

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?

That right there is how I would categorize a world class player. And I would include Hoddle, Waddle and Klinsmann in that category too.

In fact, imo we've had many world class players over the years, but rarely more than one at a time and most often surrounded by very average players.

Hence the fact we've achieved relatively sod all during that time.

 

[oskathegobshite]

Not much love for Ginola in here?

Using Fergie's definition I would say that Klinsmann, Hoddle, Lineker, Bale and Gascoigne were the only world class players we had here during that time, with Modric probably reaching that level after he left (although he was unreal at Spurs too and one of my all time favourites).

Special mention for King who should have had 100 caps had it not been for his injuries.

Current players we have that could hit those heights in my opinion are Lloris (not far off), Alli, Kane, Dier and Eriksen

 

[tttcowan]

Fergie is just being a **** or gone senile... Or both. He's basically saying its not possible to have world class keepers for a start by excluding Schmichael. Or defenders, Vidic??? Not to mention the players he's excluded randomly.... RVN? I agree with him tho Wayne isn't.

For us, Lineker, Gazza and Bale are the 100%s for me.

 

[Lilbaz]

Going by Fergie's criteria the answer is none - not even GHod.

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

Enzo Berzot managed Italy to a world cup win in 82. He said that if hoddle were italian he would build his team around him.

He most certainly was world class, even under fergies stringent criteria.

 

[felmani26]

Of course this phrase 'world class' is hugely subjective and all about opinion as you'll never be able to determine this with any great degree.

I see it as players who would not look out of place in a World XI at that given moment in time, say on a year by year basis.

 

[RichieS]

Lineker. No one else imo

Klinsmann was one of the best strikers in the world when he signed him!

 

[punkisback]

I would add Lloris to that list.

 

[yido_number1]

Going by Fergies criteria we've probably had none. If you look at the honors list of those players it says it all. In my opinion Lineker, Gazza, Bale, Modric and King. Unfortunately for King that injury stunted what he could have achieved internationally and domestically.

 

[kaz Hirai]

Ledley King.


When fully fit had the ability to make the starting 11 of any team in the world. He had absolutely everything when fit.

Lloris, Bale, and Modric don't make the cut Going by fergie's ultra strict formula where schemichael doesn't make the cut

Not old enough to have seen, Hoddle, or remember much of Klinsmann

 

[mattyspurs]

Hoddle
Waddle
Linekar
Garza
Klinsman
I'm even going to throw Lloris in as he could play at any team in world football

 

[Dharmabum]

If we are going by Fergie's standard - i.e. using Scholes as denomination - then the following would fit in to that bracket:
Lloris
Modric
Bale
King
Gascoigne
Hoddle
Lineker

 

[whitelanefever]

I think the term world class gets thrown about too easily & is something best judged towards the end of a career & reserved for the players at the top echelon of the game. we have had top quality players like Gazza (world class ability but not enough over the span of his career to warrant being among the all-time greats) Modric & Bale but it is still to early to label them as world class although Modric is of the elite level of players in the game.

I would say the true world class players we have had is Clemence, Hoddle, Ardiles, Lineker, Klinsman, Davids, Campbell & King.

 

[Lilbaz]

If we are going by Fergie's standard - i.e. using Scholes as denomination - then the following would fit in to that bracket:
Lloris
Modric
Bale
King
Gascoigne
Hoddle
Lineker

Lloris is not better than schmichael.

 

[peter_the_yid]

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....

Thought the same thing, Schmeichel must have been in that list surely.

For me, King was incredible. Not a better defender that a prime Ledley King.

Bale for obvious reasons.

Modric, Berbatov, VDV not far behind.
Can't discount Edward Sheringham and Ginola too.

 

[hellava_tough]

So Fergie reckons that Keane wouldn't have gotten into any side in the world circa '99?

Hmm, sour grapes much?