Seeing as pretty much every thread on this forum now is concerned with transfers I thought I might add a more general discussion into the mix. I saw this question posted on a thread (sorry I forgot who posted it) and wondered what everyone else's opinions are. If this has already been discussed I apologize and shall do my penance by donating my hair for Rooney's next set of plugs. What does everyone consider to be the definition of a world class player? Is it generally a player capable of performing well at the top level of world football? In which case does that mean Champions League or world cup? or both? For instance, could Giggs in his prime be considered World class even though he never appeared in a major international tournament? By converse, Ronaldo and Messi are constantly considered the best players in the world, yet they have always underwhelmed at international level. Or is a world class player someone who would be picked in a World XI made up of the best players in each position? Or is it some other criteria altogether? Personally I consider a world class player to be someone who would make the World XI as the best player in his position. I know this is open to wildly infinate debate, but I feel that we need to create some sort of benchmark, or at least come to a rough consensus as to what defines a truly world class player. For instance: I have been told by certain supporters that Modric and Bale are world class, surely this is a bad joke. Any thoughts? or should I just go back to work?
Being World Class nowadays puts you in the top 3-10 players in that position in the world. It depends on the era. If you placed Pele, Van Basten, Henry, Wright, Eto'o, Messi, Nistelrooy, Aguero and (the) Ronaldo in the same era, they'd all still be world class. But there would be a lot of them. Conversely, there aren't that many great left backs around at the moment so the definition changes. It's not about comparison. It's about what they can do.
I'd say a world class player is someone who could get in a world squad, if one existed. Not necessarily in a starting 11. Just in a normal squad of the worlds very best players.
i'd agree with Chappaz. Top 2 in your position in the world. It's arguable, so you may end up with 3 or 4 say strikers who different people would put in the top 2. That's where it gets sticky, but at absolute most you'd want them to be in the top 5 in their position.
Yeah I'd say the top 5 in their position. Basically the players who would be fighting for the number one spot. Perhaps fluctuating as players rise and dip in form.
There is no definitive answer. It's all just too subjective. However, made me laugh as I think it is a good joke. They are Tottingham class, no more than that.
@Sirtfireball Fair enough, now that I read it again I see the humour. Those poor deluded fools. I suppose I will make this my stock reaction to all tottenham fans, just laugh at them like you would at a turtle stuck on its back. Apologies to any turtle lovers out there.
I would say players who it could be argued are top 5-10 in their position or top 100 in the world generally (for example - more playmakers are world class). Basically any player who wouldnt be out of place in a world squad. There could be 10 world class keepers. If they are all close in standard.
World class means you play good at a high level consistency. e.g 7 out of 10 to 8 out of 10 that what I think
IMO to be world class, a player needs to be able to do something no other player can do, and to replicate this top form consistently year in and year out at the highest level. In other words a player who is unique and technically gifted beyond that of his teammates when playing at the highest level. I also believe there are very few of these types of players around. Examples: Messi, Zidane, Pele, Ronaldo (Brazilian), Henry. Note: Wayne Rooney is not world class.
Van persie is good enough to get into the world XI, however ahead of him you'd have people like David Villa. Top 2 in every position, but like you said, there aren't many left backs, but LOTS of strikers.
Wow you have probably the strictest definition of world class I have seen. Please allow me to add Bergkamp to that list.
Note I said examples. I can't every player to the list, however as you say, Bergkamp would also be on the list. I'm sure there are "many" others, but if you compare it to the vast number of professional footballers there are comparatively few.
From the top of my head. Wright, Henry, Bergkamp, Fabregas, Vieira, Pires, Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Pele, Maradonna, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Seaman, Schmeical (sp?), Sneijder, Robben, Makelele, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Aguero, Lampard, Van Basten, Cruyff, Puskas, Di Stefano, Eusebio, Beckenbauer, Ozil, Lehmann, Kahn, Van Basten, Best, Brady, Overmars, Guardiola, Eto'o, Villa, Casillas, Kaka, Weah, Trezeguet, Zidane, Giggs, Scholes, Maldini, Adams, Cole, Deco, Figo, Romario, Owen, Tevez. There's a huge amount missed. But those are World Class players.
From the top of my head. Wright, Henry, Bergkamp, Fabregas, Vieira, Pires, Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Pele, Maradonna, Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Seaman, Schmeical (sp?), Sneijder, Robben, Makelele, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Aguero, Lampard, Van Basten, Cruyff, Puskas, Di Stefano, Eusebio, Beckenbauer, Ozil, Lehmann, Kahn, Van Basten, Best, Brady, Overmars, Guardiola, Eto'o, Villa, Casillas, Kaka, Weah, Trezeguet, Zidane, Giggs, Scholes, Maldini, Adams, Cole, Deco, Figo, Romario, Owen, Tevez. There's a huge amount missed. But those are World Class players.
I hate it when players are described as world class because everyone seems to have a different opinion of what that means. Paul Merson seems to think that every team in the premier league has one world class player whereas someone like zagooner has a much stricter definition of what it means. rannaramshere You do mean those players were world class at their peak right? Because there is no way the likes of Lampard, Trezeguet and Deco are at that level now.
basically someone who is in atleast the top 10 in that position in the world at one time Also someone can be ****, but world class at 1 aspect, such as passing, shooting etc but same criteria for that then again there's a different level of world class, basically a player in a league/team who is a class above everyone else like if Bendtner went to japan, he'd be world class there.
