30 May 2025 20:36:26
Just reflecting on our squad and what is needed going forward and it got me thinking how many of our squad are "world class"? if any? Defining "world class" is obviously subjective as well from pundit to pundit and poster to poster but for me I think we have 3 in Reece James, Moises Caicedo and Marc Curcurella. ED01 any observations?
{Ed001's Note - only one even in the argument is Caicedo and he needs to play in the UCL to prove it. You need to see him up against the best of Europe to judge him.
Cucurella might get in the argument due to the paucity of quality left-backs, he is certainly close to it, but he is not an Ashley Cole level player.
James can't even stay fit, even when he did, what is his best position? None of them he could even nail down as he can't play regularly.
It must be said, a lot depends on how you judge world class though.}
30 May 2025 21:31:27
Thanks ED01 for your input.
{Ed001's Note - very welcome.}
30 May 2025 21:37:31
Ed001, as I have stated previously to be regarded as world class you have to be one of the best in your position and perform consistently at the highest level; World Cup, Euros etc and Champions League. None of our players meet that criteria at present. Reece James is never fit and even when he is “fit “ has to have his game time managed and has hardly played any meaningful internationals to describe him as world class is way of the mark.
30 May 2025 21:47:59
Caicaido for me and Palmer maybe he looked a world class player in the Euros when Southgate picked him think any team in the world would buy those two if they could.
But defining world class is hard would they get into a world 11 probably not a world squad of 26 maybe
Not James and Cucurella for me.
30 May 2025 22:01:39
seymns, I would find it very difficult to pick a world class 11 or for that matter 26. For me it’s just my opinion about individual players: world class : yes or no subject to the criteria I mentioned.
30 May 2025 22:40:53
I desperately try not to to use the term World class to describe a player.
I think Caicedo will prove to be one of the best midfielders in Europe but this is my big call, if Lavia can stay fit he will top drawer.
I keep on saying this but Fernandez was for our most improved player and I hope that continues and Palmer just has “moments” of class.
{Ed001's Note - I really rate Lavia, but his fitness does worry me. I do agree with you on him though, he is a bit special potentially.}
30 May 2025 22:52:21
Ed, we played Southampton at our place and he totally bossed our very experienced midfield. It was one of the best midfielder displays I have ever seen.
{Ed001's Note - I loved him when I saw him there as well.}
31 May 2025 07:35:34
Jimbo I agree it's opinion about individual players it's interesting and fun that we all see players differently.
31 May 2025 09:21:53
To be honest, how many 'world class ' players are there in the prem or indeed other countries leagues.
Now a day's, we seem to rate good players as world beaters, and then 6 weeks later, the media likes to put them down.
The days of zmessi, Ronaldo, Best are gone with the game being more tactical rather than individual brilliance.
Just look at Arsenal this season, they have gone from being an entertaining team to dead boring relying their main striker, Gabriel, to score goals from corners.
31 May 2025 17:32:58
Bill, I agree that PL was very poor last season. People often say that the PL is the most competitive league perhaps that because a lot of the so called big teams are inconsistent. I prefer to watch fluid football either the ball being moved around quickly. However, I think you need to be able to mix it up and make the most of set pieces. I have been critical of Neto but perhaps with Delap in the 18 yard box his numbers might increase: he has had no one to cross to and that is one of his strongest attributes.
31 May 2025 23:29:03
In my opinion the premier league is the most competitive. That isn’t to say it’s the best of it’s the best football but for me definitely the most competitive. For me the only league close to it for competitiveness is the Italian league.