This is EXACTLY how I see it. That 10 is nailed on our strongest 10 and the only questions mark is that last position. I would suggest Long hasn't reached a level yet to earn it outright. JWP hasn't really got his set pieces to a level where they warrant the place on their own, Mane has had a run of good performances but his earlier performances worry me and Elia hasn't been here long enough yet to assess if he should be in that 11. Rodriguez of last season would probably finish the 11 however at the moment he hasn't played and we don't know if he will come back as good as he was last season. Just bewilders me so many have Davis out of that first 11. This season he has been as influential in our midifield as Schneiderlin and is vital for our attacking play.
Im glad you pounted this out! He played the full final, and featured heavily for them that season. If that's not CL quality I don't know what is.
Personally, I don't think any of our players are World Class. To be world class, a player would have to be included in a list of players which could be considered to play in a World XI, in my opinion. So, for me, the best our players are, are International/European class, and we certainly have several of those in the First XI right now. The rest are solid Premier League class, with a couple of players who are not quite ready, and a older keeper who is coming to the end of his playing career, and is more of a presence in the dressing room, being a model professional and club captain.
Thats a pretty small class, thats more 'definitive list'. I was thinking world class would be to make the squad of a top International side. Even by your standards, Schneiderlin wouldnt be out of place in a world 11 IMO.
My definition of World Class is a player that could interest and play in teams that regularly appear in the Champions' League. I don't think any of our players fall into that category...the lack of interest by such clubs is why we managed to get them for realistic prices. Some of our players have fetched big prices, but that is influenced by a local need for English players or players who shine in the EPL. We think Schneiderlin can play in a top side, but I bet all offers for him will be from within the EPL.
A list of players that might be considered world class would extend to a manager's personal choice 25-30 man squad. Then you'd have all those equivalents from other nationalities who are equally good. Then you have all those players who other managers would consider world class rather than the one man picking his 25-30. In point of fact, although it's an exclusive list, it's still an awful lot of players. But being World Class should be an exclusive club anyway, otherwise one dilutes the measurement. From our squad, Morgan is the closest we get at the moment, in my opinion. Being one of the very best in the Premier League, he's certainly Champions League material. But then so are several of our other players. Let me give you an example, using two players who were being compared to each other over the weekend: Would Aguero get into a World XI..? Undoubtedly yes, end of story. Would Sanchez..? Probably not. Would Sanchez get into a World squad..? Possibly not. Would Sanchez get into any manager's world squad..? Almost certainly. Is Aguero World Class..? Why are you bothering to ask..? Is Sanchez World Class..? Yes..! Now ask the same of any Saints players. They don't get there yet, in my opinion.
