Liverpool FC Forum

by **Ace Ventura** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:42 am

Bman wrote:
Ace Ventura wrote:Rooney is definately world class and thats already.

When Owen was 19 he was considered by most to be World class with his pace and scoring abilities. But now he's nowhere near his best due to whatever reasons. For me though its the opposite with Rooney, I personally think he is slightly over hyped and overated. People claim him to be world class, but for me Rooney has all the abilities to push on and become world class. Whether he will or not is another matter. Compared to someone like Messi Rooney, IMHO isnt as good.
Gerrard though is what 26 or something he has been proving year in year out what a fantastic player he is especially for Liverpool. So for me out of the two Gerrard would be deemed world class not Rooney.

I would rather have Rooney in my side than Messi.
Messi is a fantastic talent but i think Rooney is a player that like Gerrard, can inspire team mates and take a game by the scruff of the neck.
Your statement seems to hint that i think only Rooney and not Gerrard is world class, i think they both are, and both would walk into any team in the world.

by **Bman** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 9:23 am

Ace Ventura wrote:I would rather have Rooney in my side than Messi.
Messi is a fantastic talent but i think Rooney is a player that like Gerrard, can inspire team mates and take a game by the scruff of the neck.
Your statement seems to hint that i think only Rooney and not Gerrard is world class, i think they both are, and both would walk into any team in the world.

No i'm not hinting that you only think Rooney is world class, not at all. What I am saying is that its typical of the English to overhype a player. Rooney IMHO is overhyped, and for me before he is given the tag of world class he has to prove it over the next couple of seasons, instead of a v. good first season in the prem with Everton then to an okay one with ManUsa.

On the note of Messi, out of the two I'd still have him (Messi) he's more mobile,quicker and a better dribbler of the ball and EVERYTIME he gets on the ball he looks as though he'll create something with his busy workrate. Quality player !

by **Ace Ventura** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:01 am

Bman wrote:
Ace Ventura wrote:I would rather have Rooney in my side than Messi.
Messi is a fantastic talent but i think Rooney is a player that like Gerrard, can inspire team mates and take a game by the scruff of the neck.
Your statement seems to hint that i think only Rooney and not Gerrard is world class, i think they both are, and both would walk into any team in the world.

No i'm not hinting that you only think Rooney is world class, not at all. What I am saying is that its typical of the English to overhype a player. Rooney IMHO is overhyped, and for me before he is given the tag of world class he has to prove it over the next couple of seasons, instead of a v. good first season in the prem with Everton then to an okay one with ManUsa.

On the note of Messi, out of the two I'd still have him (Messi) he's more mobile,quicker and a better dribbler of the ball and EVERYTIME he gets on the ball he looks as though he'll create something with his busy workrate. Quality player !

Do you think Rooney had just an ok season last year ?
Behind Gerrard he was the second best in the league imo.
He scored about 20 goals and created as many.
He is quicker than Messi imo although not as good a dribbler he is far stronger and has a far better shot on him as well.
He will be one of the best players in the league again this season as well.
Certain players are overhyped, Lampard and Beckham are obvious names but Rooney is definately not one of them.
Fantastic player and definately world class imo.

by **JC_81** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:15 am

As far as Rooney goes, I'll agree with Bman that it's the English way to hype young players up too much too quickly, and when Rooney first arrived on the scene that was certainly the case. However, I think since his move to United and with his England performances over the last couple of years, Rooney is one young player who has lived up to his hype.

Let alone the English players, out of all the players in the premiership those are the two (Rooney and Gerrard) I'd want in my team above anyone else (maybe add Henry in there alongside them). Those 2 along with Henry are the 3 players in the premiership who can go out and win games by themselves (even if their team mates are all performing poorly on the day), there's not really anyone else in the league I'd put into that category. They are genuinely world class imo.

Defining world class is difficult and in no way clear cut, but if you're in the top half dozen or so players in the world for your position then I'd personally say that you're world class. But it's a term that is used too liberally at the moment. Lampard for example has that term thrown in his direction all the time, but he's certainly not in the same class as players like Gerrard, Zidane, Ballack, Riquelme and a host of other attacking midfielders.

by **clik** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:27 am

Gerrard is world class any idiot can see that but imo Xabi Alonso is fast becomin a world class player who is to date Rafas best signing

by **PCG77** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:14 am

I cant believe some of the :censored:

i have read.... What defines world class?

The ability to leave your country and play in another quality league?

Their aint no shaddow of doubt that STEVIE G is not WORLD CLASS... His performances week in and week out in the CL and PL highlight his undoubted class. I have total confidence in his ability standing up in any league around the world.

Half of Englands problem is the pressue applied pm the national team from the public and press alike. Alot of time the extra hype that goes with playing for England is not justified. I believe England currently have a few "world class players" but there biggest problem is their lack of quality depth. There was a few bizarre selections in the squad which contributed to their downfall and have clubs like chelski do know favours to the national team.

SWP is a player who could have made a major difference the English team. He should have been in the team for the last 2 years without any problem at all. Beckham hurts the balance of the team and if he didnt have the profile and $$$ pulling power for the FA, He would not be in the starting team. I aint having a go at Beckham for being Beckham. Its just that he does not have the ability to take on players and becomes a little to one dimensional. if SWP had made the smart decision and join either liverpool or arsenal he would have played every game and have been a walk up start for the WC. Unfortunately the world cup probably came a year or 2 early for Lennon... Extra experience would have been invaluable for him

Another major blunder was the decision to select 2 strikers under signifcant injury cloud leading up to the WC and another who has hardly played in Senior football. Any way i could go on for a day or two but i think you get my point..

by **woof woof !** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:22 am

Amazed that this has created so much response .Who gives a flying f'uck how some journo rates Gerrard,we and the rest of the world know how good he is for christs sake.Can't think of a top club in the world that wouldn't be interested if he was available . That say's it all .

END OF. :kungfu:

by **PCG77** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:25 am

woof woof ! wrote:Amazed that this has created so much response .Who gives a flying f'uck how some journo rates Gerrard,we and the rest of the world know how good he is for christs sake.Can't think of a top club in the world that wouldn't be interested if he was available . That say's it all .

END OF.

agreed!!!

by **matt34** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:28 am

in depth analysis of englands poor world cup is all well and good but 'gerrard is not world class' citing this tournament as proof is absolute bollox - stevie g is easily in the top tier of european midfielders at club level and scored two goals in this world cup at the very highest level in a team that is not playing well and alongside a player he obviously finds difficult to gel with within that midfield position - i think he can hold his head high irrelevant of that penalty miss - his 'world class' partner fat frank had already sown the seeds with his penalty miss and he is the named penalty taker for crying out loud.

by **callaway360** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:12 pm

this subject doesnt even deserve a reply...(i realise i have) any real football fan would say STEVIE G is world class ...with the acception of united fans...they could never bring themselves to admit it.

by **stmichael** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:20 pm

woof woof ! wrote:Amazed that this has created so much response .Who gives a flying f'uck how some journo rates Gerrard,we and the rest of the world know how good he is for christs sake.Can't think of a top club in the world that wouldn't be interested if he was available . That say's it all .

END OF.

To be honest woof, I was just commenting on the article in general but knew that the headline title would generate more interest and response. :oops:

There's actually a lot of truth in the article if you put the Gerrard thing to one side. The thing is, the author hasn't made the distinction between being a world class player & being technically gifted. There are plenty of technically gifted players across the globe who make it nowhere in football so they can't be considered world class. Gerrard isn't the most cultured player on the ball but he has plenty of other attributes that do make him one of the best players in the world at the moment.

Other than that, the article makes excellent points. This country as a whole has serious inherant problems that prevent it from being successful and changes have to made on a number of levels. For me the most important is to get all kids focused on the technical aspect of the game from the very beginning and instilling a different mindset.

by **kingycrouch** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:45 pm

STEVEN GERRARD IS THE BEST MIDFEILDER IN THE WORLD SO HOW CAN HE NOT BE WORLD CLASS U SILLY :censored:

WHO EVER STARTED THIS TOPIC :angry:

by **taff** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:10 pm

Not so long ago the foreign influx helped the "golden generation" now its their fault

England went out of the world cup mainly due to their manager and partly with the press trying to pick a team and influence selection.

Gerrard and Carragher, heroes in Istanbul now villains, because of foreigners and them not being world class. How about they know their roles at LFC and the manager doesnt exactly sit back on the bench and placidly observe. England were conned by Sven and the journos should look there first.

by **48-1119859832** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:15 pm

kingycrouch wrote:STEVEN GERRARD IS THE BEST MIDFEILDER IN THE WORLD SO HOW CAN HE NOT BE WORLD CLASS U SILLY WHO EVER STARTED THIS TOPIC

by **stmichael** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 2:45 pm

kingycrouch wrote:STEVEN GERRARD IS THE BEST MIDFEILDER IN THE WORLD SO HOW CAN HE NOT BE WORLD CLASS U SILLY WHO EVER STARTED THIS TOPIC

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