I agree, one trick pony and a glorified water carrier, typical perception of what makes a great player in this country. All drive and straight lines and gets found out when he's not allowed to do that.
Bobby Moore was not slow, compared to todays centre backs he was positively speedy, on the ground and in his thinking. Being centre back and captain, it's all about positioning and anticipation. I've never seen anyone to compare with him, and doubt I ever will! What you see today from the likes of Terry is panic defending, throwing your body in the path of the ball is not constructive defending. I also heard a commentator once comparing Rio Ferdinand to Bobby Moore!!!!!!!!!! Never ever in a Million years!!!!!!
If you think Gerrard has no technique, just watch this [video=youtube;Z1D9RRML2As]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1D9RRML2As[/video] His range of shooting is (or was) fantastic. Some of his finishes in the box are delicious (thinking Napoli 2010 in particular). Passing? Try this. [video=youtube;qXNvqg8hZBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXNvqg8hZBE[/video] How many players can do that consistently?
i think most people appreciate that steven gerrard was an outstanding player for liverpool and has had a fairly decent england career, though i'd argue he's probably underachieved for england overall despite the 100 caps. i personally don't think he has ever been a world class player - i think there was a period around 2006 when he was bloody close and he was probably the best english player at that time, but for me he will be remembered as an excellent english player but not a truly world class player.
He was world class, for me, in 2005, 2006 and again in the 08/09 season. He literally could do everything. He dragged a poor side through the CL and league. You might prefer, say, Pirlo, but he was poor for quite a while before moving to Juve. You'd still I imagine point to him as a world class midfielder. Anyone who has played with or against Gerrard says he's incredible. That's a good starting point, although players are expected to make soundbites. On England... why does a world class player have to perform internationally - especially if he plays for England. If he was Brazilian or Spanish or German he very well might have won something. He can't do everything for everyone with England. And with all the criticism he's still usually one of your better players when he does play. I guess it depends also on what 'world class' is to you.
the issue i have with your comments is that you are blatantly biased. i am speaking purely from a neutral perspective. i actually think the term 'world class' gets overused. we can't move for hearing the names rooney, hart, gerrard et al being deemed worthy of the tag, yet for me, none of them are or have ever been worthy of such acclaim. lionel messi is world class. cristiano ronaldo or 'fat' ronaldo - both of them are and were worthy. xavi is world class. iniesta is world class. gerrard has never been as good as either of those. as i say - i think he was close when he peaked around 2006, when he single handedly used to dig liverpool out on a regular basis but had he left for say real madrid or barcelona at that time, i doubt he'd have been a standout player for them. not sure why you've brought pirlo up - completely different player to gerrard - and yes, he was world class. possibly the finest passer of a football of his generation. paul scholes was a more talented footballer than gerrard. was he world class? close call. was lampard world class? gerrard's determination and drive superseded his ability with a football.
The most underrated footballer of his generation. More ability than Gascoigne but told he was unambitious because he didn't want to leave Southampton or didn't want to get embroiled in controversy. What bollocks.
just to put that into perspective, geoff thomas won 9 during the same era! and jordan henderson already has 6
sorry. can't agree that he had more talent than gascoigne! gazza was the better player, more naturally gifted though le tiss was excellent of course. had injuries (among other demons) not taken their toll, we could have had one of the all-time greats on our hands.
And sorry from me. As good as Gazza was I don't think he was anywhere near an all time great even in prospect. We at Norwich had a player as equally gifted, he was called Terry Anderson.
Not at all. He had a couple of seasons in the late 60's where all the tricks and skill that Gazza displayed were part of his repertoire. He played central midfield and ran the show. And the guy stood in at centre back for a while when Dunc was injured during the promotion season. And he was a key part of Saunders plans when we first entered the 1st Division. Why would it be so amazing that there were players around who were gifted but not given the publicity the others had? Our own Tommy Bryceland was a brilliant passer of the ball and could hit his team mates from distance or play them into space with a quick look and pass. I keep hearing about the skill of the modern day player but most of it, IMO, is hype from the media. Not many decent keepers around, centre backs who can't tackle, wingers and full backs who can't cross a ball and midfielders who can only play when the opposition retreats. I do believe the modern day striker is on the whole a better player. Dixie Dean got 60 in a season but probably missed more per chances. Anybody who gets 30 a season now has probably a better ratio.
I'd happily list players I've seen from rival teams that are or were world class. No bias, it's a widely held opinion. I think you're over-rating Gerrard's drive and diminishing his ability. He's always been a good technical player. He's scored more goals than a lot of forwards do in their careers. He's won countless individual awards, including 3rd in the Ballon D'Or and UEFA player of the year. None of us have any idea what he'd have been like - but the likes of Mourinho (who wanted him at Chelsea and Madrid), Fergie, Alonso and Zidane all rate him as one of the very best . Around 2005-2009 there were very few better attacking mids in the world.
you can argue all you like but you'll never convince me that steven gerrard has been a truly world class footballer. as for redruth's comments about gascoigne, well... he is easily, by a million miles, the most technically gifted footballer england has produced in my lifetime. now HE could have been really world class!
purely down to size as i understand it, aged 13 makes you wonder how many gems never got picked up due to their 'small stature'
