Lifting my head briefly from Saints - but I inevitably return there - two footballing events have to catch the eye this week. That volley from Van Persie helping to secure a highly impressive 20th League Title for United, and Bayern thrashing Barcelona. This has set a lot of thoughts in train about top class players, and of course the old adage that form is temporary while class is permanent. Over many decades of watching football I've been lucky enough to see some top class players. I was thinking about the World Cup winning team and wondering whether any of that 11 would have made it into a World XI (or Garth Crooks team of the tournament!). My own conclusion is that Banks, Moore and Bobby Charlton would have been a shoo in, while a case could have been made for Peters and Ball. Any other old timers got a view? But rather than make this thread exclusive to those of pensionable age, I'd like to pose a question. Which players from other clubs would current fans consider class, in the sense that they'd be the first name on the team sheet at any club? And are there any players in the current Saints set up that would have other fans drooling and hoping that their club will buy this summer? Of the players I've seen this year - and unusually I have missed a few games - Van Persie stands out by a head. Suarez is class but I guess most clubs wouldn't want to bite off more than they can chew with him. I've been a bit disappointed by some names this season, but Rooney's 20 minutes against us at Old Trafford showed he is still a class player, and I find it hilarious that some of the United faithful would be happy to see him go. As for Saints, is there anyone? If Rickie was 5 years younger there would be some clubs forming a queue, but would they be top 6 clubs? Jay Rodriguez is starting to catch the eye, and a good season next year building on his current form and he's going to be worth a few quid - he must not go, of course. Gaston is a class plyer, but needs to show it more to be considered. There you go, a few names to get you started boys and girls, now that we're not worrying about relegation.
RVP and Bale for me with an honourable mention for Aguerra. Wouldn't take Suarez as a gift....stupid I know as he would score us lots of goals, but I don't want a player at Saints that I would be ashamed of. I doubt that any fans of the top teams would want a player of ours because we are not high profile enough for them, but those teams scrapping round the bottom or a newly promoted side would probably like Lambert or JRod. Our other good players, such as Spider and Cork, are the type that are appreciated more by other players than by opposition fans...to them, our players are identikit red streaks. I realised this because other fans seem to praise Puncheon when he's had a good game, but ignore others as they can't tell them apart.
Bugger. Senility is a real curse. How could I have forgotten Bale? Agree about our players, Fran. And long may it continue. I desperately want to get through the window with all our first choice players still at SMS.
Bale stands out. Berbatov has been consistently class for many seasons. Luiz could be class for many seasons And I'm just so glad that Spiderman remains under the radar.
Miguel Michu has been very good this season. Annoyingly so, as we were in for him before he went to Swansea. We will never know but maybe if Pochettino had been manager at the time we might have got him.
After last night, Arjen Robben and Franc Ribery are clearly both in the form of their lives. Not sure either of them would keep Lallana or Rodriguez out of the Saints side though.
It's the first time I've ever seen Robben pass instead of just dribbling all the way to the penalty area and then shooting! He is a much better player when he realises he's part of a team.
Then you don't follow the Bundesliga. He's been woefully out of form this season and is only in the side because of an injury to Toni Kroos.
He played well, but he's had a shocking season. One game doesn't mean he's in form. I'd be very surprised if he was a Bayern Munich player next season.
Didn't think Ribery was very good last night, Robben was good though. Mata, RVP, Bale for me, Aguero has not been as good as he was last season IMO.
He started the season, and was dropped due to poor form. He has spent much of the season on the bench. Bayern's first team (attackers) has been Ribery, Kroos, Muller, Mandzukic.
I don't think there are that many this season. Quite a few who have had good games here and there, but not consistently. So you have to think about Persie and Bale, consistent over the years, Michu, and I reckon Ferdinands had a pretty good season. Quietly going about defending the Man Utd goal, with little fuss or drama, but you can't argue with his performance over the 31 games he's played to date. Plus if its a PL listing only, I would bloody put Rickie up there, cause he's the highest scoring Englishman in the league and we're supposed to be a country of world class players, so that makes him best in the world !
