Do we have any world-class players?

[OnlyOne]

Seen loads on Twitter going around about Saka not being world-class and people are outraged.

Wanted to extend this to our full squad, do we have any word-class players? I’d say no.

I think we have only 4 players who could be considered in that bracket in a season or two.

Discuss, or don’t.

 

[Macho]

Saliba is as close as it gets, but I guess it depends on your definition.

In my opinion Saka, Martinelli, Saliba and Ødegaard are all currently borderline, which is quite a lot to have in one team.

If WC for you is top 3-5 in that position, then Saka and Rice are definitely in there. Due to admittedly flawed nostalgic reasons and the bar set by the past I cannot call any of them WC just yet @OnlyOne

 

[Rex Stone]

Saliba is the best CB in the world right now.

 

[OnlyOne]

For me, it’s 3 seasons minimum of being one of the best, I don’t think Saliba is world-class.

Admittedly I didn’t include him in my 4.

 

[Rex Stone]

For me, it’s 3 seasons minimum of being one of the best, I don’t think Saliba is world-class.

Admittedly I didn’t include him in my 4.

Stupid-a facking arbitrary rules

 

[SA Gunner]

No world class players in our team right now.

I think the term gets thrown around too easily these days. A world class player is one who can change a game by themselves, almost everytime.

Think about who can do that in the Premier League.... De Bruyne, Alisson, Salah. I'd say that's it.

 

[A_G]

For me, it’s 3 seasons minimum of being one of the best,

Interesting. Henry won POTY in 2002 but wouldn’t have been WC by your standard.

 

[Macho]

For me, it’s 3 seasons minimum of being one of the best, I don’t think Saliba is world-class.

Admittedly I didn’t include him in my 4.

What about 1 world class season at their current club and some good seasons at the previous club?

 

[Macho]

No world class players in our team right now.

I think the term gets thrown around too easily these days. A world class player is one who can change a game by themselves, almost everytime.

Think about who can do that in the Premier League.... De Bruyne, Alisson, Salah. I'd say that's it.

For me Sanchez and the remainder of peak Özil when he joined and was still motivated to win Balon d'Or were probably the last that I can think of that fall into that bracket.

Unless I've forgotten somebody.

 

[OnlyOne]

What about 1 world class season at their current club and some good seasons at the previous club?

Yeah that’s fine. For me it’s consecutive, Aaron Ramsey had a WC season but I don’t think he’s a WC player.

 

[OnlyOne]

Interesting. Henry won POTY in 2002 but wouldn’t have been WC by your standard.

Yeah, but he went on to have consecutive top seasons hence he gets the status.

 

[Macho]

Yeah that’s fine. For me it’s consecutive, Aaron Ramsey had a WC season but I don’t think he’s a WC player.

I think sustained brilliance is a fine barometer, but Hazard wouldn't be WC by this standard as he famously had checkered seasons. Brilliant season, nothing season, brilliant season etc.

I could be exaggerating his on and off form as I haven't fact checked.

 

[SA Gunner]

For me Sanchez and the remainder of peak Özil when he joined and was still motivated to win Balon d'Or were probably the last that I can think of that fall into that bracket.

Unless I've forgotten somebody.

I think Kane as well to be fair, could keep Sp**s competitive all on his own.

Also Virgil was once there as well for me, I’d say around the time of Liverpool’s league win, unplayable.

 

[A_G]

For me Sanchez and the remainder of peak Özil when he joined and was still motivated to win Balon d'Or were probably the last that I can think of that fall into that bracket.

Unless I've forgotten somebody.

Were you a Hazard fan? Don’t remember you posting much during his time in England.

 

[Macho]

I think Kane as well to be fair, could keep Sp**s competitive all on his own.

Also Virgil was once there as well for me, I’d say around the time of Liverpool’s league win, unplayable.

Oh I just kept it to Arsenal.

Kane for me undoutedly was world class. Peak Virgil for me as well. I don't let rivalry refrain from calling a player world class or not.

 

[SA Gunner]

Oh I just kept it to Arsenal.

Kane for me undoutedly was world class. Peak Virgil for me as well. I don't let rivalry refrain from calling a player world class or not.

Cesc final season would you say?

 

[Macho]

Were you a Hazard fan? Don’t remember you posting much during his time in England.

Was hot and cold on him, so glad I didn't post during his peak

I downplayed him a bit because I was envious that Arsenal didn't have him but I definitely rate him a lot more now retrospectively than I did at the time.

Wrongly, I think not getting him and getting Gervinho instead (felt like a pattern of signing the wrong players from the right teams) contributed to me being Wenger out and if I didn't vocalise it that's how I felt at the time.

 

[UpTheGunnerz]

Course we do.
Saka and Martin and Cockers are
Jesus is WC in everythng except scoring unfortunately
Martinelli will get there soon enough
Saliba is there sniffing

 

[jones]

For me, it’s 3 seasons minimum of being one of the best, I don’t think Saliba is world-class.

Admittedly I didn’t include him in my 4.

So Vinicius or Bellingend are not world class?

 

[Macho]

Cesc final season would you say?

Cesc was undoubtedly world class for me. I don't clutch him as close to my heart as much as my fellow millennials but he was probably one of the best CM's I've ever witnessed.

His Chelsea stint was none too shabby too.