I thought it high time we really raised the expectations unrealistically just before the end of the season so people can go wild and start talking about "next year" Here's a list of our best youngsters and a player i think they can be reasonably compared to at the same point in their career. Countinho - clearly a Zola type player. Perhaps iniesta for those too young to remember Zola. (go on you know most on here from other clubs are juvenile delinquents) henderson - Frank lampard just like the rotund superstar jordan can't be labelled as a natural talent in the league of gerrard but I think his application and work ethic and suddenly his willingness to get in the box starts to make this comparison realistic. Wisdom - Micah richards comes to mind. Sergio ramos is a nice burden to put on the guy. I think he's athletic enough to pull it off. Sterling - John barnes is his ideal role model regionally but he really does look mre like a sean wright-phillips to me in stature terms. As long as it s not robinho i suppose. Flanagan - best he can hope for is a carragher link, sorry jonno. robinson - its obvious really, has to be paulo maldini. Jack is tall and rangy like the great man and likes a run down the line. certainly can't be gareth bale anyway.
Bruno Cheyrou as the next Zidane will always be the most hilariously innaccurate comparison I will ever hear
I pretty much agree with all of those. I'v made the Henderson Lampard link a few times. Wilshere is Englands new Gerrard (supposedly). Henderson is the Lampard.
Shelvey more of a Lampard type player IMO, Quite a weak all round game but gets into good scoring positions. Henderson is more a Darren Fletcher, jack of all trades.
morgan is not as fast as fowler was when he was a young whipper snapper. Fowler was an awesome talent at one touch finishing. limited on the ball with back to goal but he was lightening, and lethal on any chance that came his way. Morgan has not got the same pace so I don't see him being the guy to come through. that said he's a good finisher so he's got more chance than linfield, dalla valle, pacheco or nemeth in my opinion. I am just hoping yesil recovers from these injuries cos he's got something more. Ibe, teixteria, pelosi, sincliar and mcluaghlin are the absolute cream of the current crop. If we get 2 out of that 5 through we will have done well again. I top mclaughlin hugely and Ibe is very special. Tex needs to do it this summer preseason.
Ibe is a better prospect than Sterling IMO I agree with you on McLaughlin - he looks a natural RB that is suited to BR's style i.e. fast full backs who can support the attack, and provide width. The lad can dribble, has pace and his crossing is very good. Can't wait for him to break through as I think he's better suited to the role than Kelly and Wisdom.
Jimmy, you might be right they are slightly different in emphasis but i think stelrin did devleop a bit in the past two years from a head down type to a guy who could pick a pass. He's got a long way to go but i think he is certainly SWP in the making.. which is no disgrace! Ryan Mclaughlin is hugely impressive at RB. I certainly agree about kelly. he needs to get inside asap and prove he can defend and more importantly show some bottle and organisation skills. thats what a CB needs.. and why coates is failing. Wisdom i think has a lot going for him and is special. if he could get to CB role i think lillian thuram is a good comparison and one i'd be delighted to see happen. Here's hoping they all are dying for real success not just this taste they got.