Zlatan vs Eto'o

[Billy Blaggs]

I've found myself agreeing with about 15 posts on here that agree and disagree with each other. I'm going to say this one that a have no fecking clue.

 

[Santoryo]

I think Eto'o's time in the Prem is affecting people judgement of his abilities which don't do him justice given he was already washed up and past his prime.

Prime Eto'o was a monster and one of the deadliest striker of his generation. I mean to me he was clearly better than Zlatan if we're talking about prime

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I think Eto'o's time in the Prem is affecting people judgement of his abilities which don't do him justice given he was already washed up and past his prime.

Prime Eto'o was a monster and one of the deadliest striker of his generation. I mean to me he was clearly better than Zlatan if we're talking about prime

Is it? Most seem to be going for Eto'o.

 

[JeffBoomTetris]

Eto'o at his prime was better than Zlatan at his prime imo.

He could play in all settings and was very versatile as a forward. He was as rapid and clinical as a striker as you can get in those times. Really deadly and efficient. Sadly for him, his time in the Premier League wasn't the best and it definitely changed people's impressions about him. But his highest level was higher than Zlatan's for me who played in the Ligue 1 which isn't as good as the La Liga or the then Serie A

 

[Santoryo]

Eto'o never carried Cameroon like Zlatan has carried Sweden. In fact he often made too big of a deal playing for them.

Hard to compare the two. Eto'o bloomed late and quite being good early. Zlatan has basically been good since he was a teenage and now still a top player whilst being the same age as Eto'o. Eto'o played in the best team in the world for a good number of years and was excellent in his 2nd season with Inter. Pretty good for Mallorca too.


Eto'o had multiple issues as well, mostly regarding money. He didn't want to play for Cameroon because he felt they didn't pay enough so they suspended him. He also headbutted a reporter once at a press conference.

What do you mean by that. Eto'o led Cameroon to winning the African cup, you didn't expect him to lead them to World Cup glory or anything crazy like that, did you?

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

You need to tweak the team around Zlatan. Eto'o can fit into any set up.

Zlatan may have a higher peak, but I'd prefer to have Eto'o in my team.

 

[Snow]

What do you mean by that. Eto'o led Cameroon to winning the African cup, you didn't expect him to lead them to World Cup glory or anything crazy like that, did you?

20 year old Eto'o led his team? No, he was a part of a good Cameroonian squad that also won it 2 years previously with him playing a minimal role.

The Cameroonian national team is comparable with the Swedish one. What I mean by carried is that the Swedish national team is very poor now and has been for quite some time and if it weren't for Zlatan they'd be struggling for top 3 in a qualifying group.

I'd at least expect a professional to not go on strike for his national team because of bonus payments. Especially when you know it's a poor country you come from and you yourself make millions. Money shouldn't be a part of the mindset when playing for the NT.

 

[Snow]

You need to tweak the team around Zlatan. Eto'o can fit into any set up.

Zlatan may have a higher peak, but I'd prefer to have Eto'o in my team.

He's probably available for cheap. Doing alright for himself in Turkey.

 

[Bwuk]

Eto'o.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Eto'o is more functional and more adaptable. I think Ibra is the better player overall, but you have to build the team around him. You don't have to do that for Eto'o.

In 2009-2010, Mourinho used him as a winger iirc and he played second fiddle somewhat to Milito. The very next season though, Eto'o was their highest goal scorer. And of course in 2008-2009, he was Barcelona's 2nd highest goal scorer.

Tough 1 really. Ibra also has the longevity on his side. Eto'o maybe had the better peak.

 

[Raees]

Easily Eto'o. Anyone who says Zlatan is either a) too excited that he is finally ours or blinded by his skill level but not his actual effectiveness at the highest level. Eto'o is the most dangerous strikers in the modern era.. huge threat to world class defenders in the biggest games.. pace, trickery, movement, composure, quality first touch.. complete number 9 for the modern game.

Zlatan doesn't come close in the big games. Usually gets marked out of games easily and chokes in the big matches. He is below Eto'o, Drogba and David Villa in my opinion.

Talent wise he's the best since Van Basten and Fenemeno but talent means feck all.

 

[Raees]

The bias will be in because we're most likely getting Zlatan. Eto'o was the best striker in the world at his peak. Zlatan has never been that.

Totally agree. I rarely disagree with Gio but can't help but feel he's just plain wrong here.

 

[Dion]

Zlatan is going to lift an average team more than Eto'o would, Eto'o would make pretty much even the best teams better.

Good job we're getting Zlatan really...

 

[Gio]

Going through the thread I think Eto'o's 'deadliness' or 'clinical finishing' is getting overstated a little. Even in his prime at Barcelona he was known for not being quite as ruthless as he could have been given the volume of chances dished up by the likes of Ronaldinho, Messi, Deco and Xavi. That's not to underestimate his big-game cojones.

 

[totaalvoetbal]

Eto'O is the much better #9. The main job of a #9 apart from scoring should be opening space for teammates behind you which Eto@O did to perfection with his off the ball movment. In his whole career, ZLatan played off actual #9s and was not the main target man, he was more of a #9.5/#10.5. At Juventus he played off Trezeguet under Capello, at Inter he played off Crespo, at AC MIlan he played off Robinho who offered the vertical movement for him. In terms of finishing, Eto'O was better, he held up the ball better and was a better finisher and far more decisive in clutch games than Zlatan has been in his whole career. Ibrahimovic has never been the best #9 in Europe at any point in his career. He has to be the main man to be effective and when he is the main man, the teams have to play through him which leads to them struggling when they faced elite teams. Inter in 2009 vs United, Barcelona vs Inter both games were Zlatan's positioning and lack off movement disrupted Barcelonas position game and he was benched by Pedro a lot in the latter part of the season, PSG in all their QF games he has been ineffective in the bulk of them because he drops deep and his off the ball movement isn't as great as the very elite strikers. Eto'o has been decisive in Classicos, Barcelona didn't start their winnign ways under Rijkaard till Eto'O joined, a years after Ronaldinho joined, he gave the team a winning mentality similar to Suarez and is a fighter. He is versatile and is able to play on the flanks as he did when Messi became the False #9 against United and Real Madrid in 2009 and he was still effective and helped the team.

He moved to Inter and was used as a RW and showed his versatility by sacrificing his ego (which is very big) and tracking back and helping the team out. The season after he was the #9 and scored 37 goals, more than Zlatan had scored in his whole career before he moved to Ligue 1. There is really no comparison. Ibrahimovic's stock seems to have risen in the UK after they played Sweden and he did that bicycle kick a few yards away from the box. Also, despite Zlatans size, he is not very good in the air and his hold up play isn't very good as many top defenders have simply bullied him because his movement never game them, trouble as he is quite static for a forward and never makes the runs that a Top #9 would make, as we saw at Barcelona, although at Barcelona he did have very good games such as the 1-0 goal against Real MAdrid and scoring 2 vs Arsenal in the QF despite missing almost 3 sitters IRRC. Then again the technical ability he has is very strange given his height. He is a 6+ player that plays like a 5'7 player, is the best way I can describe it.

One thing I will say about Eto'O is that when he needed to score he did, after that his finishing became erratic. At Barcelona he would score crucuial goals more often than not but when the game was won, he would miss easy chances so he wasn't able to stat pad. Very bizarre indeed! For me there is no comparison. Eto'O for me is arguably the best #9 since R9. Zlatan is a player that looks good and needs a whole team geard towards him to be effective.

 

[Treble]

Eto'O is the much better #9. The main job of a #9 apart from scoring should be opening space for teammates behind you which Eto@O did to perfection with his off the ball movment. In his whole career, ZLatan played off actual #9s and was not the main target man, he was more of a #9.5/#10.5. At Juventus he played off Trezeguet under Capello, at Inter he played off Crespo, at AC MIlan he played off Robinho who offered the vertical movement for him. In terms of finishing, Eto'O was better, he held up the ball better and was a better finisher and far more decisive in clutch games than Zlatan has been in his whole career. Ibrahimovic has never been the best #9 in Europe at any point in his career. He has to be the main man to be effective and when he is the main man, the teams have to play through him which leads to them struggling when they faced elite teams. Inter in 2009 vs United, Barcelona vs Inter both games were Zlatan's positioning and lack off movement disrupted Barcelonas position game and he was benched by Pedro a lot in the latter part of the season, PSG in all their QF games he has been ineffective in the bulk of them because he drops deep and his off the ball movement isn't as great as the very elite strikers. Eto'o has been decisive in Classicos, Barcelona didn't start their winnign ways under Rijkaard till Eto'O joined, a years after Ronaldinho joined, he gave the team a winning mentality similar to Suarez and is a fighter. He is versatile and is able to play on the flanks as he did when Messi became the False #9 against United and Real Madrid in 2009 and he was still effective and helped the team.

He moved to Inter and was used as a RW and showed his versatility by sacrificing his ego (which is very big) and tracking back and helping the team out. The season after he was the #9 and scored 37 goals, more than Zlatan had scored in his whole career before he moved to Ligue 1. There is really no comparison. Ibrahimovic's stock seems to have risen in the UK after they played Sweden and he did that bicycle kick a few yards away from the box. Also, despite Zlatans size, he is not very good in the air and his hold up play isn't very good as many top defenders have simply bullied him because his movement never game them, trouble as he is quite static for a forward and never makes the runs that a Top #9 would make, as we saw at Barcelona, although at Barcelona he did have very good games such as the 1-0 goal against Real MAdrid and scoring 2 vs Arsenal in the QF despite missing almost 3 sitters IRRC. Then again the technical ability he has is very strange given his height. He is a 6+ player that plays like a 5'7 player, is the best way I can describe it.

One thing I will say about Eto'O is that when he needed to score he did, after that his finishing became erratic. At Barcelona he would score crucuial goals more often than not but when the game was won, he would miss easy chances so he wasn't able to stat pad. Very bizarre indeed! For me there is no comparison. Eto'O for me is arguably the best #9 since R9. Zlatan is a player that looks good and needs a whole team geard towards him to be effective.

I made similar points in the Zlatan thread. For me it's dubious whether United need to make a 35 y.o. forward the main man in the team, it's going to be a risky experiment. But if Mou thinks that the risk is worth, then we have to trust his decision.

 

[Ecstatic]

Eto'O is the much better #9. The main job of a #9 apart from scoring should be opening space for teammates behind you which Eto@O did to perfection with his off the ball movment. In his whole career, ZLatan played off actual #9s and was not the main target man, he was more of a #9.5/#10.5. At Juventus he played off Trezeguet under Capello, at Inter he played off Crespo, at AC MIlan he played off Robinho who offered the vertical movement for him. In terms of finishing, Eto'O was better, he held up the ball better and was a better finisher and far more decisive in clutch games than Zlatan has been in his whole career. Ibrahimovic has never been the best #9 in Europe at any point in his career. He has to be the main man to be effective and when he is the main man, the teams have to play through him which leads to them struggling when they faced elite teams. Inter in 2009 vs United, Barcelona vs Inter both games were Zlatan's positioning and lack off movement disrupted Barcelonas position game and he was benched by Pedro a lot in the latter part of the season, PSG in all their QF games he has been ineffective in the bulk of them because he drops deep and his off the ball movement isn't as great as the very elite strikers. Eto'o has been decisive in Classicos, Barcelona didn't start their winnign ways under Rijkaard till Eto'O joined, a years after Ronaldinho joined, he gave the team a winning mentality similar to Suarez and is a fighter. He is versatile and is able to play on the flanks as he did when Messi became the False #9 against United and Real Madrid in 2009 and he was still effective and helped the team.

He moved to Inter and was used as a RW and showed his versatility by sacrificing his ego (which is very big) and tracking back and helping the team out. The season after he was the #9 and scored 37 goals, more than Zlatan had scored in his whole career before he moved to Ligue 1. There is really no comparison. Ibrahimovic's stock seems to have risen in the UK after they played Sweden and he did that bicycle kick a few yards away from the box. Also, despite Zlatans size, he is not very good in the air and his hold up play isn't very good as many top defenders have simply bullied him because his movement never game them, trouble as he is quite static for a forward and never makes the runs that a Top #9 would make, as we saw at Barcelona, although at Barcelona he did have very good games such as the 1-0 goal against Real MAdrid and scoring 2 vs Arsenal in the QF despite missing almost 3 sitters IRRC. Then again the technical ability he has is very strange given his height. He is a 6+ player that plays like a 5'7 player, is the best way I can describe it.

One thing I will say about Eto'O is that when he needed to score he did, after that his finishing became erratic. At Barcelona he would score crucuial goals more often than not but when the game was won, he would miss easy chances so he wasn't able to stat pad. Very bizarre indeed! For me there is no comparison. Eto'O for me is arguably the best #9 since R9. Zlatan is a player that looks good and needs a whole team geard towards him to be effective.

Excellent post.

Some remarks:

1. PSG was disappointing in all QF games with Laurent Blanc as a coach: Blanc is not an elite coach and is the person to be blamed for our fiascos in QF. With Ancelotti, our QF games were satisfactory and we were close to eliminate Barcelona. And Zlatan did the job against them in 2012/13: 1 goal + 1 assist

2. Regarding the style of play of Zlatan, we have to keep in mind he is 34 years: given his lack of pace and the disappointing management of Blanc (ridiculous tactical coup, management of the injured players, Cavani on the left and limited leadership skills), he could not exist against City at the Etihad Stadium. Zlatan needs a strong or cohesive midfield to shine (many injured & suspended players in the 2nd leg).

3. As you mentioned, Etoo is an 'advanced striker' much more Barcelona-compatible than Ibra, a 'target man'. If you play in a 4-4-2 system, I am inclined to think Shevchenko+Ibra>Shevchenko+Etoo.

4. You are inclined to underrate his hold up play.

5. Eto'o is one of the top 4 greatest African players of All-Times: much more better & useful than the elegant Weah, better technical skills than Drogba...

 

[totaalvoetbal]

Excellent post.

Some remarks:

1. PSG was disappointing in all QF games with Laurent Blanc as a coach: Blanc is not an elite coach and is the person to be blamed for our fiascos in QF. With Ancelotti, our QF games were satisfactory and we were close to eliminate Barcelona. And Zlatan did the job against them in 2012/13: 1 goal + 1 assist

2. Regarding the style of play of Zlatan, we have to keep in mind he is 34 years: given his lack of pace and the disappointing management of Blanc (ridiculous tactical coup, management of the injured players, Cavani on the left and limited leadership skills), he could not exist against City at the Etihad Stadium. Zlatan needs a strong or cohesive midfield to shine (many injured & suspended players in the 2nd leg).

3. As you mentioned, Etoo is an 'advanced striker' much more Barcelona-compatible than Ibra, a 'target man'. If you play in a 4-4-2 system, I am inclined to think Shevchenko+Ibra>Shevchenko+Etoo.

4. You are inclined to underrate his hold up play.

5. Eto'o is one of the top 4 greatest African players of All-Times: much more better & useful than the elegant Weah, better technical skills than Drogba...

Thank You.

My own comments:

1. I don't really blame Blanc. I blame Aurier mostly for that defeat as what he did disrupted the team. I do blame Blanc for bringing him back into the fold as he was clearly not fully fit over both games and made a string of errors that gifted the lacklustre City team the win.

2. 100% agree on this point. Once the midfield was injured I knew that PSG would struggle as your team is very midfield based with the MF circulating the ball and getting it into dangerous areas for the forwards. With Veratti then Motta getting injured, and then Matuidi being suspended, it was always going to be a struggle. ZLatan dropped even deeper because he wasn't getting the ball and that was the beginning of the end.

3. For sure that is a better combination. Shevchenko at his peak was monstrous.

4. Relative to his size he is quite weak. His lack of movement compounds the problem as he never turns defenders similar to Eto'O and Suarez.

5. It's his mentality for me. He was just lione hearted and forced the team to work hard. Not just African, he is one of the best #9s in the last 2 decades and an all time great in my opinion.