World's best midfielder

[La Furia]

Hey I didn't say it was a bad thing, if you are going to be ridiculously positive it should be about Barca!

I wish I remembered this debate because I've long been a rabid member of the "Gerrard is overrated" bandwagon and considered him the best midfielder in Italy before the treble (that improved my opinion on Mourinho and Sneijder more than Cambiasso). I used to be hesitant to worship an ex-Madridista like that but I got over it, and the ridiculous world cup snub made me even more rabid. I'd take him over Mascherano any day, although in a perfect world they compliment each other nicely. Few can do all the little things as well as Cambiasso.

 

[Abaddon]

Kudos to the forum for not giving a single vote to Gerrard. At least some sense.

 

[Aryagorn]

Who is the Lucho that Meta is referring to... Those nick names keep flying over my head, fuck 'em

 

[Peerd]

Sneijder of course.

 

[Lemmi]

Kudos to the forum for not giving a single vote to Gerrard. At least some sense.

everyone can see he is past his best. but in his prime there arent/werent many who could come close to being as well rounded as Gez.

 

[neanz]

Well, the poll's name should be World's 3rd best midfielder for sure

I voted for Schweinsteiger.

Who is the Lucho that Meta is referring to

He meant Lucho Gonzalez.

 

[Catalonian Devil]

I voted for Essien. out of all the players listed, he's the one who scares me the most when FCB plays against him. he's an absolute beast. technically sound, great shot, pacy, smart, physical ... passing obviously needs to improve, but otherwise I love watching him play.

Sums it up really, the man is a machine...

 

[Raed]

this is why I love you, dude.

consistent as a muhfucka.

THAT SAID, HOWEVER, where were you (or Raed, for that matter) when I was arguing Cambiasso > Gerrard a couple of years ago? it was pre-awesome CL run, so everyone wasn't yet on the Cucho bandwagon, but I'd have thought a consistent and loyal Argentina-fanboy (and Interisti, in Raed's case) would have leapt to my side in defending Cucho from being rated lower than that DJ-battering scouse twat. but nope, nowhere to be found! now, a Mourinho-inspired treble and oodles of fanwank later, and all of a sudden he's the best non-Barca midfielder?

how convenient!





don't hate on the coin, Nolan. heads is heads. I was kinda hopin' it would come up Schweiny. and I'm yet to get an answer as to the reason behind Lucho's exclusion.

also "Barca homerdom" you do realise I'm a Barca fan, right?

I don't think that I have established my arguments here on convenient debates. I don't recall establishing opinions based on convenient moments either. My opinion of Cambiasso has always been the same, just because I missed a debate that was perhaps in the EPL section, which I rarely check, doesn't mean I voted him because of a treble winning season. I have long followed Cambiasso personally and defended him through thick and thin before you (meta) even joined either forum. But I do not need someone to vouch for me, nor did I think by voting for him would make me a bandwagoner.

It is natural that I support Cambiasso, considering the fact that I did and still do follow Inter closely and he did arrive in Milan from Madrid. If you had stopped at me being an Interista (implying me being biased) then I would understand but I do not understand this whole matter of convenience. Defending Inter at every turn before the Calciopoli was convenient, wasn't it? Was defending Mourinho long before you ever appeared on the forum also convenient when his team lost to Man U and played garbage football in Serie A?

But it isn't even an issue all together anyways, because a player earns his stripes through hard work and medals. Cambiasso proved it, against Barcelona and Chelsea, in defending and scoring.

To be honest, I am a little upset that you brought up bandwagons all together and this whole matter of convenience.

EDIT: If you had said Di Maria for instance, that is a player I changed my mind about totally. I dismissed Di Maria and I have stated that I disliked him before he joined Madrid and in the first few weeks. I did not expect him to be that good, I never defended him. I am glad he has proved me wrong. But Cambi is close to heart, always was, always will.

 

[Lemmi]

don't really see the value in comparing attacking midfielders and holding players? chalk and cheese boys!!

this award was tailor made for essien, but he has been really poor this year. i think as an all rounder it is probably cesc when on form, but i am not sure how he would fair in a team that wasnt trying to play pretty football..

 

[La Furia]

Well if we are talking about well rounded games, considering all their peaks I'd still rate Essien and Cambiasso ahead of Gerrard, because they aren't black holes. And right now of the three Cambiasso is the only one who is still kickin'. I'm afraid Essien is beginning to wear down.

I don't know how to compare out and out attackers like Cesc to CMs and DMs though

 

[jamrock]

lucio-samueal, midget, cambiasso, i see a trend

you know what i'm talking about

 

[Daemul]

lucio-samueal, midget, cambiasso, i see a trend

you know what i'm talking about

 

[Metaphysical]

lucio-samueal, midget, cambiasso, i see a trend

you know what i'm talking about

don't really see the value in comparing attacking midfielders and holding players? chalk and cheese boys!!

this award was tailor made for essien, but he has been really poor this year. i think as an all rounder it is probably cesc when on form, but i am not sure how he would fair in a team that wasnt trying to play pretty football..

in terms of an all-around game it's Schweiny, Lucho or Cesc.

Essien is spread thin. he can affect all three areas of midfield but none of them with real greatness. he's just a more physically imposing Darren Fletcher. or a shorter Yaya Touré. these players are great, and do have a big effect on their teams for the energy and speed-in-transition they provide. but they're not the best around.

Schweiny, Lucho and Cesc all have their areas of expertise, sure, but are all capable of covering in other areas with great ability. they can run midfields. the above three cannot.

that said, all it takes is the right coach and a player - if he's good enough - can go from being an Essien/Fletcher/Yaya to a Schweiny/Lucho/Cesc. I mean hell, Schweiny did it himself thanks to Van Gaal!

 

[La Furia]

Darren Fletcher, really? Essien isn't just more physically imposing, he's better in every aspect of the game.

And once again Cesc can't run a midfield, he's an attacker and is mediocre in any sort of vaguely deep role.

 

[Metaphysical]

Darren Fletcher, really? Essien isn't just more physically imposing, he's better in every aspect of the game.

And once again Cesc can't run a midfield, he's an attacker and is mediocre in any sort of vaguely deep role.

yup, Cesc can't run a midfield. that's why Arsenal don't dominate possession and boss games against 90% of the premier league whenever he plays.

and yes, Darren Fletcher. I know he's ugly, lanky and not at all cool-looking (and he's Scottish, to boot). but he does the same job as Essien and does it just as well (and better, this season). and he has probably been doing it just as long (I recall him bossing the likes of Vieira way back in 2004). he's a thoroughly unfashionable player, though, so never gets the credit he deserves. the saddest thing is, if he were Argentine or Uruguayan you would be singing his praises 24/7.