Zinedine Zidane

[Maradona37]

What’s the point of arguing about players you’ve never seen play?

Weird.

We have seen them play, though.

Most of us were born in the 80s, meaning we watched all of Zidane's prime, and the players after him.

Strange comment.

 

[Joan]

We have seen them play, though.

Most of us were born in the 80s, meaning we watched all of Zidane's prime, and the players after him.

Strange comment.

Yeah, some of us.

Not all.

 

[Maradona37]

Yeah, some of us.

Not all.

I guess you are referring to Tempt lol. Fair enough

 

[vegitot]

Which player resemble Zidane the most now to you @Maradona37 ?

 

[Maradona37]

Which player resemble Zidane the most now to you @Maradona37 ?

Honestly? I have no idea mate. Plus I don't follow football as religiously as I did. Any suggestions?

He was a unique player and I cannot think of any real analogues on the modern game.

 

[Temptation]

@vegitot I'm assuming your question is related to playing style and player profile rather than actual quality or comparable talent.

Zizou was unique and one of a kind so nobody but if you had to answer, maybe:

Pogba
Gourcuff
Bentaleb
Shelvey

Bellingham and Zidane is a lazy comparison because of the jersey number at RM. Bellingham is basically Lampard with better defensive ability and lesser long shooting ability.

 

[Maradona37]

Yeah those are good shouts. Unsure of Shelvey, but the other three are similar in style, though not even 10 percent of the player he was.

Said the same about Bell too.

 

[vegitot]

Few nice names. I would go a bit detail on Gourcuff since i liked him a lot back then. He was among France's biggest talents in 2006, also the year Zidane retired. So post World Cup, his name was even more popular. He was viewed as the undisputed Zidane's heir (nickname "Le scuccesor" by L'Equique). His moves, his way of handle the ball really resembled Zidane. Then Ac Milan decided to bring him San Siro when he was just 20 years old. That was when his career started to change.

At only 20, he could not find a way to compete agaisnt Milan's stacked midfield with the like of Kaka, Pirlo, Seedorf... And he was isolated. A big blow to one of France's biggest talents and all of Zidane's comparison before (Zidane also moved from France to Italy and made his name there) was dusted.

2 years later, in 2008, Laurent Blanc brought him to Bordeaux. 2008/09 season saw him at his best. 17 goals in 37 matches in Ligue 1, being an absolute ace that helped Bordeux win the tittle. Then the comparison with Zidane was alive again. Especially after he scored his most famous goal vs PSG. A very Zidane-esque goal. However the following season, his form dropped and also injuries. All affected him badly.

And World Cup 2010 happened. France were a shitshow. Domenech (France's coach) wanted to build the team aroud Gourcuff. However, that decision made their veterans angry. They (particularly Ribery and Anelka) didn't even pass the ball to him. France coaching staffs tried to fix, but things got even worse. Anelka was sent home after his conflict with Domenech. The whole France team collapsed. Gourcuff himself also got sent off in the match vs South Africa. Once again he was isolated and lost.

He pretty much could not recover after 2010 WC. And that was the end for the Zidane's heir people hoped for.

Now looking back, i think he was never the man who was worthy to be called Zidane's heir. He could replicate Zidane's move but like you can replicate work from great artist but never can have its soul. He also didn't have enough mental strength to fight in tougher enviroment.

 

[vegitot]

Yeah those are good shouts. Unsure of Shelvey, but the other three are similar in style, though not even 10 percent of the player he was.

Said the same about Bell too.

Pogba did reach world class level. Especially with France national team. I think he and Zidane are both alike as they play way better for France than their clubs.

 

[Maradona37]

Pogba did reach world class level. Especially with France national team. I think he and Zidane are both alike as they play way better for France than their clubs.

He seemed to really only play well at WC 2018. Was decent at Euro 2020 but they crashed out early, and he was poor at Euro 2016.

I definitely do not think he has close to Zidane's international body of work. Like I say he was good at WC 2018 but don't think he was even in France's top 5 players. Griezmann, Kante, Varane and Mbappe were all better for me. Though it's a moot point as Pogba played well in most games, even if he wasn't their best three or four players. He still had a very good tournament in the main.

I also think that while Zidane reserved his best for France, he was a lot better at club level than Pogba was. First Juve stint aside (and that comes with caveats), Pogba's club career is a bombscare since he left them.

You're a good poster though and I respect you, so can meet you halfway. Yes, he played pretty well in that tournament and in Euro 2020 despite crashing out early.