"World Class"

[DEFchenkOE]

I saw in another thread in Spurs chat someone mentioned we should be trying to buy a few world class players in the summer so it just got me wondering, who do people see as world class players in today's game? And what is it that makes them world class? eg Producing a few moments of brilliance now and then, consistency etc

Are there many "world class" players around? Does the player need to have played in the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga to be recognised as world class? Eg If Messi came though Ajax youth academy and stayed there till he was 25 scoring goals like he does for Barca would people still call him "world class" or would it be "he plays in a rubbish league" etc

For me world class players in the epl at the moment are:

Berbatov
Carrick
R Ferdinand
Ronaldo
Rooney
Tevez
Evra
Torres
Gerrard
Xabi A
Fabregas
Clichy
Van Persie
Carvalho
Essien

I may have missed out some obvious ones there but off the top of my head I believe they are the world class players currently in the PL. There are other players like Robinho, A Young, Lampard, Arteta, who are all high quality but imo those are the top guys.

So who do people class as "world class" players? The term is probably used way too much but I'm curious as to what people think.

And are there any "world class" players currently playing in some of the other leagues?? Is it that easy to just go and buy some world class players??

 

[WhiteStripe]

For me, for a player to be classed in the "world class" bracket they have to have been proven on the various world stages. This includes domestic league, European stage and International level. Even then it takes something special.

I think until a player is proven on all of these levels then they cannot be classed as "world class"

 

[Real_madyidd]

Good thread.

I always think "world class" would mean that they woul dget selected for a team representling the world. ( so assuming some Aliens turn up and fancy a kick-about).

GK- Buffon - Reina - Cech?

 

[C-oops]

Yep I agree. For a player to be labelled "worls class" I think they need to have proven themselves in their own league, the Champions league and for their national team at a world cup. Basically performing consistently excellently against the best opposition week in week out.

 

[idlepete]

Basically, world class = Robbie Keane, or anyone who's better than Robbie Keane. FACT.

 

[WhiteStripe]

Basically, world class = Robbie Keane, or anyone who's better than Robbie Keane. FACT.

Disagree, Robbie Keane has not played consistently for a top team, in Champs League or on the world stage, therefore cannot be classed in that bracket. He is an excellently gifted player, but cannot be given the "World Class" title.

 

[idlepete]

Disagree, Robbie Keane has not played consistently for a top team, in Champs League or on the world stage, therefore cannot be classed in that bracket. He is an excellently gifted player, but cannot be given the "World Class" title.

Did you miss the bit of my post where I said "FACT"?

 

[WhiteStripe]

Did you miss the bit of my post where I said "FACT"?

:lol: whoops, sorry...ok you win :roll:

 

[MattyP]

Ledley King. In the words of IdlePete, FACT.

I know he's never played in the champions league, but that's because we didn't sell him to Chelsea when they came sniffing a few years back.

I'd also call Scholes world class. And Giggs.

I think if you've been nominated for European Footballer of the year, or World footballer of the year, an argument could be made for being classed as world class, so you could also add Michael Owen and Fat Frank to that as well.

And Timmy Atouba.

 

[MattyP]

Oh, and Van Persie is a world class rapist (allegedly), not a world class footballer. He's barely won any trophies.

 

[WhiteStripe]

Ledley King. In the words of IdlePete, FACT.

I know he's never played in the champions league, but that's because we didn't sell him to Chelsea when they came sniffing a few years back.

I'd also call Scholes world class. And Giggs.

I think if you've been nominated for European Footballer of the year, or World footballer of the year, an argument could be made for being classed as world class, so you could also add Michael Owen and Fat Frank to that as well.

And Timmy Atouba.

:lol:

I get your point, and there may be notable exceptions to the rule, however I can't class Ledley King in the world class bracket.

For me, he probably had more potential than any other defender in the league, and on his day is by miles Englands best centre back, but becuase he hasn't tasted the next level, and because he hasn't experienced the pressures of performing consistently on the world stage, he cannot be put into the world class bracket. For me, there are very few players who deserve such an accolade.

 

[mil1lion]

I agree with Whitstripe in that a player has to prove themselves in the League, Europe and International levels. I heard people saying that Tevez and Mascharano were world class when West Ham signed them. But i couldn't agree at the time, although i expected them to prove themselves to be world class. But until a player prove himself at the highest level he can never be considered world class imo. So Tevez and Mascharano should now be considered world class, for their performances in the PL, CL and for Argentina too.

 

[MattyP]

:lol:

I get your point, and there may be notable exceptions to the rule, however I can't class Ledley King in the world class bracket.

For me, he probably had more potential than any other defender in the league, and on his day is by miles Englands best centre back, but becuase he hasn't tasted the next level, and because he hasn't experienced the pressures of performing consistently on the world stage, he cannot be put into the world class bracket. For me, there are very few players who deserve such an accolade.

Actually, on reflection, you are correct. He is Universe class. I mean, tell me when you saw a Martian get the better of Ledley King.

On a more serious note, if Thierry Henry and Martin Jol both claim he is the best defender they have come across, that's good enough for me.

 

[WhiteStripe]

Actually, on reflection, you are correct. He is Universe class. I mean, tell me when you saw a Martian get the better of Ledley King.

On a more serious note, if Thierry Henry and Martin Jol both claim he is the best defender they have come across, that's good enough for me.

I'm not disputing this point, but there is a difference between "best defender played against in a handful of games" and a prolonged career of high class performances in a given position on the world stage.

I agree, ledley is magnificent, but he has never been able to prove his World Classiness, so cannot be ranked there.

 

[MattyP]

I'm not disputing this point, but there is a difference between "best defender played against in a handful of games" and a prolonged career of high class performances in a given position on the world stage.

I agree, ledley is magnificent, but he has never been able to prove his World Classiness, so cannot be ranked there.

Furry muff, but then I question the logic behind including Van Rapist and Clichy in there. Cashley Cole has achieved more than they have, but doesn't get a mention, neither does the transvestite JT or Gary Neville.

 

[WhiteStripe]

Furry muff, but then I question the logic behind including Van Rapist and Clichy in there. Cashley Cole has achieved more than they have, but doesn't get a mention, neither does the transvestite JT or Gary Neville.

None of the above are included in my "world class" league!!

 

[MattyP]

None of the above are included in my "world class" league!!

I know, I just wrote that! :grin:

 

[WhiteStripe]

I know, I just wrote that! :grin:

:lol:

 

[DEFchenkOE]

True about Ledders, if he had played consistently and maybe for England at the WC or EC and put in good performances against the best he would be world class. But his injury situation means he can't be in that bracket.

MattyP mentioned Scholes and Giggs and I agree that they were definitely world class although obviously past their peak now.

I find it strange though as people always mention Maradona and Pele as world class, so is everybody else underneath them? Should Zidane now be mentioned alongside Pele and Maradona (imo he should)? Or will he be mentioned alongside the likes of Cruyff, Eusebio, Maldini. I do feel as if the pundits, media speak like no other player can get onto Maradona and Pele's level. Surely Messi will be mentioned alongside them when he eventually hangs up his boots, or not if Argentina don't win any world cups while he's playing?

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I think if Ledley had managed to play consistently at his best level he would be in the world class catergory. Unfortunately having world class ability doesn't make you a world class player, if that makes any sense.

Not quite sure how you can have Van Persie as a world class player but not Robinho and Lampard. That isn't just an anti Arsenal thing, but Van Persie is nowhere near world class in my opinion. Adebayor is closer.

Also Clichy? Is that just because there are no good left backs? He is talented but I don't think he is world class. Players like Vidic and Cech are also unlucky to miss out on your list.

It is difficult to know whether players who play in those slightly lesser leagues are world class or not? I wouldn't class someone like Benzema as world class, but then he could move to somewhere for £40m+. When Porto won the Champions league, they arguably had some world class players.