That long run without a goal was when Ronaldo was just a kid. When he started to reach his prime he was immense for us in Europe, and was the main reason we won it in 2008, winning the golden boot in the process.* Then in 2009 his wonder strike away at Porto got us out of jail, after a very poor showing at OT from us. He then tore Arsenal to bits in the semi final.* We didn't realy have him for very long in his prime, but for me he was by far the best player to play in the premier league, that's why he's still the only premier league player to win the world player of the year award*
I believe forwards should be judged mainly on goals, afterall that's what they are in the team to do. Zola played as a forward and he averaged 1 in 4, which is a very poor return
You obviously didn't watch Zola. Only person I've ever heard call Zola poor and overrated. Major idiot.
Ofcourse I watched him play, I have not called him poor, I have said his goal return was poor/average, for a player who has received the plaudits he has.* Zola was very skilful and he did score some great goals, but overall I found him very wasteful infront of goal during his time at Chelsea.* Suarez at Liverpool reminds me of him, a very skilful player, but he lacks that composure infront of goal that the real top players have. Being incredibly skilful doesn't make you a world class player, you need to have an end product to go with it.* Beating 3 or 4 men is all well and good, but it all counts for nothing if you don't have the composure to beat the keeper* *
Drogba > Henry just. Henry was technically better but Drogba as a striker was likely to win games regardless of form and who was around him. Henry had Arsenals best ever side around him twice. Drogbas just won the FA Cup and CL on his own, literally. The rest of the chelsea squad may aswell of not bothered getting up for those games. Ronaldo & Cantona & Bergkamp are better than both of the 2 above.
Maybe we should broaden the debate? Drogba, Zola, Bergkamp, Henry, Cantona, Ronaldo. Rank those six players in order starting with the best, based on their performances in the Premier League Mine would be: Henry, Cantona, Ronaldo, Drogba, Bergkamp, Zola
Ronaldo, Drogba, Cantona, Henry, Begkamp & Zola. Winning the CL for your clubs trumps anything else you can do and Ronaldo and Drogba both scored in and won a CL final. Cantona set the standards and the last 3 were just behind.
Cantona played in Europe when our foreign players (this including Giggs and Keane and McClair etc.) were restricted so the team was massively hampered. Even he couldn't pull us through. The man is a legend and still the best player I've seen. Ronaldo was surrounded by excellent players. That said, Zola was also brilliant, if quite not as good as Eric. I've shaken his hand too! Even as a grown man that was good.
Agreed. The two most mesmorizing players I've seen live are Cantona and Zola. I did see Messi at the bridge this season but we all know what happened there
True, of the all time greats I've seen play most have been a disappointment. Zidane, Maradona, Messi, Gascoigne, Ronaldinho. They can't be that good all the time though obviously. The one who had me off my seat with a truly stunning performance was the Brazilian Ronaldo. Del Piero never let me down either and I saw Platini once and he was brilliant. Of the premier league all time greats obviously Cantona is peerless for me, and the United players have given more good than bad, but Zola oozed class. Never actually witnessed in the flesh Henry, Bergkamp or Shearer ever give a great performance and the two most impressive Liverpool players of the premier league era for me were Danny Murphy and Robbie Fowler! Every time I've Gerrard he's been ****, for the so called best player the premier league has ever seen! For Swarbs' nominations, mine order would be; Cantona, Ronaldo (Keane is better) Zola, Henry, Drogba, Bergkamp *edit, probably being harsh on Zidane in hindsight, he was just never out of this world. He was always good though, especially for Juve.
Totally forgot about Ronaldinho! I saw that goal he scored against us in 2005 (the foot fake/chip thing or whatever it's called), absolutely magic! I'm only basing this on that one performance though so wouldn't put him above the two I mentioned. Never saw the Brazillian Ronaldo but I'd love to have done, best striker of all time in my opinion. Which of his teams did you watch him play for? I agree though, it's always the ones you don't expect that shock you. I was expecting a master class from Messi but he actually gave the ball away for Drogba's goal!
