He's a very good player, but he's not even close to being world class. People define world class differently - for me it's players that would get in a 23 man world cup style squad from the whole planet - so for strikers I think we're talking the top 4 or 5 in the world. When you think of the top top strikers in the world, I think he would struggle to get into the top 30.
Would the fact that he is comfortable using left or right foot, go against him in our team of one footedness?
To be fair, he couldn't get a game ahead of Rooney and RVP at United and who on earth is going to get a game ahead of Ronaldo and Benzema. Not in the top 30? Very harsh in my opinion!
I reckon I could easily come up with 20 strikers who IMO are better, maybe 30 is pushing it. At any rate, I'm just expressing that he's a good striker but I think world class is too far.
Using your definition of World Class, then I accept that he isn't likely to be causing selectors of a World XXIII any headaches! He remains a World Class finisher in my opinion though.
Do the list of 30, then ask how many of those could/would come to Saints and we could afford.... Then the Henrnadez thing may look better or more realistic.
I reckon I could name 10 better strikers in the PL than Hernandez, let alone worldwide, he definitely isn't world class. But I agree with FLT that in terms of realistically wanting to come to Saints he is near the top of the list reputation wise (if he actually does want to come).
Phil Boyer .... wow. 1977/78 home to Sheff Utd in the old Div 2.... Bends a curler into the corner. I can see it now. 2-1 I think.
Okay, I accept your definition of world class thinking about it. But he is a VERY good player, and a definite step up in class to anyone we have had in donkeys years. The man is utter class, whenever I have watched him play I have loved him. Movement, pace, vision, touch, finishing. We should be doing everything we can if he is even slightly interested. He would get 20 goals for us easily next season
If this is true then he's exactly what we need. But if he's really that good, why isn't he getting those 20+ goals a season for Man U?
The old "20 goal a season" man.... not too many of them around really at our level. What's Bob Latchford up to these days?
Now there's a name from the past! In 1979 we played Everton in February at the Dell and it had been snowing or was cold or something like that. Anyway, I used to stand next to the manager's box in the West Stand then and when the players came out before the game to look at the pitch in their suits (they used to do that then - seems weird now), I ran on and got his autograph. He had just scored 2 goals for England a few days before. He asked me what I thought of the pitch and I said it was a bit hard. Weird what we remember! I also remember a steward taking me back to the stand and giving my Dad a mouthful and he didn't care if I was only young, he'll throw me out next time!! Imagine doing running on the pitch before the game now! Anyway, we won 3-0 I think and he didn't score so it was down to me To keep on topic, our scorers that day were Phil Boyer, David Peach and Graham Baker...Boyer was a 20 goal a season man
My concern with Hernandez isn't ability but is he a "Big Time Charlie"? Reported that we tried to get him last summer but he didn't want to drop to our level but preferred Real Madrid where he has struggled to make a seat on the bench. Is his perception of his own ability and worth substantially higher than the reality? If it is then no thanks as we have a great team spirit and someone like that could spoil what we have but if he accepts that we are in reality his level and is prepared to knuckle down and be the best he can at our level then fine PS would prefer Austin or Ings anyway...less of a risk
Aguero, Rooney, Costa, Sanchez, Dzeko, Sturridge, RVP, Bony, Benteke, Giroud Those are all strikers I would take before Hernandez if it was some kind of draft where we could pick any player.
