The_Rev Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 It's more of a boxing phrase than a football one I think. To me World Class means a player who is easily good enough to be at home at the very highest level, ie the business end of major international competitions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted February 11, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted February 11, 2013 As for Bale, he is now world class, but he is not at Ronaldo or Messi level. I would say he is one of the top 10 midfielders in the world currently though. Anyone agree? If you take midfield as a whole (ie wingers, AMs DMs etc etc) then no. He's not in the top 10. if you're talking about just wingers or AMs then probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I meant midfield as a whole. I think he is now top 10.I think his performances since 2010 have been very impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted February 11, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted February 11, 2013 I'd have to disagree if it's midfield as a whole. There's a whole host of midfielders better than him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 A player should only be called 'World Class' if he can start in a World XI. A player be very, very good but if there is a player better than him in his position then he is not, therefore, World Class. Simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 So Suarez is not world class then, or Van Persie. Buffon is not world class then? There are often many good players in the same position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shillzz Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 For me, Bale is currently the second best player in the League. One of the 2 top leagues in Europe. He absolutely flourishes in his new central role, and indeed back on the left where it all started for him. I'd say he is very much world class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyblade Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 World class just means a player is among the very best in the world. It's a somewhat subjective term, as there's no real cutoff point, but imo Bale is probably the second best winger in the world after Ronaldo. Top 20 midfielders too I'd guess. That's good enough for world class in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Yes, best is subjective. Bale/Suarez/Buffon wouldn't make my World XI and are therefore not World Class, as there are players out there a class above them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I also think Bale is the 2nd best winger after Ronaldo. I just had a look at fourfourtwo magazines top 100 players, and the Guardians top 100 players. (December 2012 for both), they were positioned at 30th and 11th. Bale is currently carrying that spurs team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 but they are British publications and a hint of biased, I think Rooney was no.11 in the 442 and Hart was 2nd best keeper which neither are. Id be interested to see what foreign press think of Bale and where they rate him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 will copy and paste the 442 list now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 20. Edinson Cavani 19. Xabi Alonso 18. Philipp Lahm 17. Karim Benzema 16. David Silva 15. Cesc Fabregas 14. Vincent Kompany 13. Zlatan Ibrahimovic 12. Iker Casillas 11. Gareth Bale 10. Wayne Rooney 9. Andrea Pirlo 8. Sergio Aguero 7. Yaya Toure 6. Xavi 5. Robin Van Persie 4. Radamel Falcao 3. Andres Iniesta 2. Cristiano Ronaldo 1. Lionel Messi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted February 11, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted February 11, 2013 10 Midfielders better than Bale (off the top of my head): Iniesta Xavi Busquets Ozil Modric Toure Mata Pirlo Cazorla Hazard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Would definitely disagree with Modric and Cazorla. Hazard and Mata are debateable, but completely agree with the rest of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappy Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I would rather have Mata in our team than Bale, wouldn't say he was debatable at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted February 11, 2013 VT Supporter Share Posted February 11, 2013 I'd say Mata's probably been the best player in the league this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarewsEyebrowDesigner Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Mata is excellent but Van Persie has pretty much won the title for Manure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voinjama Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I feel dirty defending a spurs player because I hate Spurs with a passion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Pangloss Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Hazard is definitely not better than Bale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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