When labelling English players 'World Class'...

[The Exile]

just ask yourself before you jump in like Steven Gerrard. How many of these lads are genuinely coveted by the top teams in the world? why haven't Real Madrid or Barca broken the bank one season to take them from their clubs?

[Onlyfoolsrushin]

As they can't offer them anymore than they can get at home? And they don't want to move from home?

[chuckyroll]

Originally Posted by The Exile

just ask yourself before you jump in like Steven Gerrard. How many of these lads are genuinely coveted by the top teams in the world? why haven't Real Madrid or Barca broken the bank one season to take them from their clubs?

too true

[Perryqhill]

True in some respects, but it depends how you measure 'World Class'. I would certainly say A Cole, Rio, Rooney and Gerrard have been that under my definition of it at times. I'm sure the top teams would be interested should any of those be available, or more importantly - wanting to move.

Usually players who want to move abroad show some sort of desire to and mention it, thus those clubs then show an interest - maybe these players simply can earn enough over here and dont fancy having to adapt elsewhere?

[The Situation]

There's only one 'World Class' English footballer and that's Ashley Cole.

[essayfc]

I think it should mean if the earth named a squad to play mars who would get in it.

[The Infinite Sadness]

true but these days there seems to be a lot more world class players due to there being very little between the top european teams in terms of quality,

gerrard is a champions league winner and you could argue hes world class but that doesnt mean he would get into a world 11


i dont think any of our players have been consistently world class but for reasons mentioned above a world class player now might only be classed as a good player in two years time (think ronaldinho)

plus its a bit unfair to judge players based on transfer interest.. most foreign teams know the english players will tend to stay in england.

havent read about any bids put in for messi the last year or two..

[Perryqhill]

Originally Posted by The Situation

There's only one 'World Class' English footballer and that's Ashley Cole.

Like I said - depends on your definition of "World Class" though I'd agree with that anyway at the moment. Over the last 5 or 6 years I'd disagree though.

[The Infinite Sadness]

Originally Posted by The Situation

There's only one 'World Class' English footballer and that's Ashley Cole.

i dont rate him quite as highly as world class. think if terry and ferdinand can get back to their peak they could be regarded as

i would say lampard and gerrard were but they dont seem to be on form

rooney is still for me, im expecting him to start showing it soon