With United easing their way to yet another title, it begs the question of how good the prem really is. With them seemingly having no trouble winning the prem year after year, even with 36 year old like Giggs and Scholes in the side, what does it say about the rest of the prem.
United were comprehensively beaten in two European competitions this season, outplayed and outfought, but in the prem they seem to be able to win with something to spare.
Where does the prem stand now in the grand scheme of things. Is it below the standard of the German or Italian league, it is certainly way below the Spanish league for pure quality of football.
It was supposed to be the most exciting prem for years, but the reality is the league has been decided with still more than half a dozen games to play.
How strong is the Premier league now?
posted on 5/4/12
"he would be my first choice if one of them wasn't available..."
If I may.. I agree with Grandspurs - that's the difference between world class and great.
posted on 5/4/12
I think of World class as a certain level of ability. What if there is a real lack of good left backs for example?
Do you call some half decent centre back or right back who has been converted to there or some average left back (who happens to be better than all the other average left backs) world class simply because they are the best in their position?
What if we had another 4 or 5 players as talented as Ronaldo and Messi who play up front only? Are these players not world class even though they are almost as talented as Messi who is one of the best ever?
posted on 5/4/12
The definitions I have been reading
world-class
adjective: first-rate, top, prime, excellent, outstanding, superb, elite, exceptional,
They all pretty much refer to a level of ability rather than a comparative level of ability.
posted on 5/4/12
You don't have to fill the left-back spot - it's not a real team!
I see your point though 7_T_B, I guess there might be some cross over but only the best player in their position should be world class. Otherwise the term becomes diluted and people apply it to their favourite player because it sounds good.
posted on 5/4/12
At least if we have that as a starting point the debate other whether a player is or not might make more sense.
posted on 5/4/12
Well Grandspurs talked of an XI so I figure an left back is usually an important slot in football...
I just don't think world class means better than everyone else, for example Messi is a better centre forward than Ronaldo (or a ghost number 9 as the commentators call it but close enough) so if we ignore the XI and just say best in each position. Ronaldo widely recognised as the second best player around at the moment, someone who would probably be the best player in the world in all but maybe one or two decades isn't world class.
Don't get me wrong I wouldn't chuck it around for everyone, I would probably get closer to a full squad of players with the world class title, but it isn't something you can put a cap on as far as I am concerned. If there are 12 players that stand out from all other then there are 12 world class players, if 50 stand out then there is 50 world class players... ect.
To get away from looking biased how about someone like Schweinsteiger is he world class? Xavi? Iniesta? Sneijder? admittedly he had an injury hit season this season but before this season he was excellent. Do you play two up front or just one? 3 in midfield? ect.
posted on 5/4/12
I think of World class as a certain level of ability. What if there is a real lack of good left backs for example?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed that could happen and if you had 3 left backs all of similar outstanding ability then chances are they could and would all be termed world class, I have no problem with that.
But when you have the likes of Bale who is nowhere near the level of Messi or Ronaldo but plays in a similar position then sorry but you have to conclude that Bale is nowhere near world class.
I pick Bale as an example because I am a Spurs fan and dont want some fool thinking that I am biased against other teams players. The same can be said about Modric, great player yes but is he as good as the worlds best CM players ? No IMO.
Therefore I would term Modric a great player but simply not world class even tho he might get into a 3rd string world X1.
posted on 5/4/12
Well for me you put Ronaldo and Messi up front, there is a left wing spot open and if Bale doesn't get it he isn't far off it imo.
Our definitions seem to have a bit between them anyway I would agree Rooney would be in a world XI (unless you maybe shifted someone to the wing)
posted on 5/4/12
Bale does not deliver week in week out.
Messi and CR7 do.
posted on 5/4/12
Unless you are playing one of them on the left wing then that doesn't really say much...
I may as well say Neuer delivers week in week out and Bale does not...