Virgil van Dijk | Performances

[St Red]

You’d still haven’t answered who you meant?
I’m guessing shearer too, do Liverpool not count the premier league as a trophy anymore it’s been a while mind.

Yes I know he won the Premier League
Nothing afterwards but still going on to be the best is what I meant.

 

[St Red]

Shearer was prolific but was he ever touted as the "best in the world / Europe"? Maybe in his Blackburn / early Newcastle days - but then again he won a league title whilst at Blackburn so he's not the best comparison in this case

No, probably not.
Point was that even after the title with Blackburn, there was no-one more prolific around yet he won nothing more.

 

[Treble]

Shearer was a fantastic striker. Probably the best in Europe for a few seasons prior to his knee injury.

Which seasons though? L. Ronaldo was at his best between 96-98, George Weah was voted best player in the world in 1995, Romario was fantastic in those years too. Batigol was on the rise. At no point was Shearer the best in Europe.

 

[roonster09]

Shearer was a fantastic striker. Probably the best in Europe for a few seasons prior to his knee injury.

Which years he was the best in Europe?

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

We’re on the same page so. I’ve always been a fan and loved watching him at Celtic as he was far too good for the SPL. He’s really improved over the past few years too. But some of the hyperbole about him is bordering on ridiculous at this point.

Is this really surprising though? He's clearly been the best in the league and crucial to Liverpool's title challenge, and there's at least an argument he's been the best in the world this season.

You got people calling Pogba the best CM in the world and saying he wasn't far off Zidane after he went on a fantastic run of form, football fans love to hype up players, it's what they do with everyone and certainly not unique to Van Djik.

I think the simple fact is we really haven't seen a 'great' cb in the premier league for a little while now, we've had some good/very good ones, but the emphasis has very much been on the attacking players, so when somebody like VVD emerges he gets a lot of attention. The level of central defenders in general has seriously dropped, I mean the best ones are who? Ramos, Varane, Koulibaly, Godin, Silva etc? All good players but nobody who really sticks out above the rest.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Is this really surprising though? He's clearly been the best in the league and crucial to Liverpool's title challenge, and there's at least an argument he's been the best in the world this season.

You got people calling Pogba the best CM in the world and saying he wasn't far off Zidane after he went on a fantastic run of form, football fans love to hype up players, it's what they do with everyone and certainly not unique to Van Djik.

I think the simple fact is we really haven't seen a 'great' cb in the premier league for a little while now, we've had some good/very good ones, but the emphasis has very much been on the attacking players, so when somebody like VVD emerges he gets a lot of attention. The level of central defenders in general has seriously dropped, I mean the best ones are who? Ramos, Varane, Koulibaly, Godin, Silva etc? All good players but nobody who really sticks out above the rest.

Of course it's not unique. Overrating of players is incessant in modern day football and the clamour to declare players the best 'this' and the best 'that' is quite nauseating, to be completely honest. However, as this is the VVD thread, discussing him solely in here is fair game. On the contrary, had he had a stormer last night, we would have had a jizz carnival in here.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

I don't watch enough European football to make a call on other CBs but it is clear that he has been miles ahead of any other CB in England this season absolutely. Over the past couple of seasons there has been a group of CBs who have been very good / the top ones in the league (Alderwereild, Vertonghen, Laporte etc) but Van Dijk has clearly gone up a level.

However saying that, I do think in order to cement these "best in the world / Europe" claims that you need to win some silverware.

You don't. Kane doesn't need to win silverware to cement his claim that he's one of the best strikers in Europe, he clearly is.

Football is a team game. Whether you win trophies or not is hugely dependent on the team you play in. If Stones wins the quadruple this season and VVD wins nothing, it won't be due to any failing on Van Djik's part, there are obvious limitations to what he can do as a central defender. Watching him as an individual it's pretty clear he's the best in the league this season, judging him on how good his teammates are would be silly and not helpful.

All he needs to do to cement himself as the best in world/Europe is continue playing like this for a couple more seasons. He'll probably win a trophy or two if he does, but if he doesn't his individual level will still be above others who are winning trophies.

 

[Enigma_87]

Shearer was a fantastic striker. Probably the best in Europe for a few seasons prior to his knee injury.

Love Shearer but he wasn't.

Till 93 was van Basten. Then it was Romario, then Fenomeno.

You can make a case for him in 95(the only year he would have a genuine claim), but then Batistuta had a fantastic season, Weah also was at his (short) peak, Suker was also one of the best at the time for his body or work at Sevilla. And on top of that the English league wasn't as good as it was 10 years later or as good as Seria A which was at its heyday.

 

[Stick]

Which seasons though? L. Ronaldo was at his best between 96-98, George Weah was voted best player in the world in 1995, Romario was fantastic in those years too. Batigol was on the rise. At no point was Shearer the best in Europe.

Batigol was good and similar to Shearer but I think shearer was more clinical. L.Ronaldo came great 96-98 but shearer at his first and second seasons at blackburn was probably the best in Europe IMHO. Was that 95-97. He had a good Euro 96 too. I think he shipped his knee injury then and went a little bit backwards in terms of pace but still a goalscoring machine. Weah was good didnt have Shearers longevity. Romario was class but pre 95 was his peak I think.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

You don't. Kane doesn't need to win silverware to cement his claim that he's one of the best strikers in Europe, he clearly is.

Football is a team game. Whether you win trophies or not is hugely dependent on the team you play in. If Stones wins the quadruple this season and VVD wins nothing, it won't be due to any failing on Van Djik's part, there are obvious limitations to what he can do as a central defender. Watching him as an individual it's pretty clear he's the best in the league this season, judging him on how good his teammates are would be silly and not helpful.

All he needs to do to cement himself as the best in world/Europe is continue playing like this for a couple more seasons. He'll probably win a trophy or two if he does, but if he doesn't his individual level will still be above others who are winning trophies.

This is an argument I hear a lot from Spurs fans. I would argue that the very best have trophies to back up their claim to be amongst the best or at least deliver when it matters (in semi finals and finals), something Kane has yet to do.

He has been class over the past few years but I would still put him in the bracket below Europe's best forwards (Aguero, Suarez, Ronaldo, Messi, Lewandowski etc) because of the reason above.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

Of course it's not unique. Overrating of players is incessant in modern day football and the clamour to declare players the best 'this' and the best 'that' is quite nauseating, to be completely honest. However, as this is the VVD thread, discussing him solely in here is fair game. On the contrary, had he had a stormer last night, we would have had a jizz carnival in here.

Probably, which again is equally weird since he's a rival player. I really do think United fans are too invested either way, you get some who are clearly desperate to play him down at every opportunity, which comes off as seriously desperate .. and then you get some who for some reason feel the need to big him at every possibly opportunity. He's a great defender, we get it, he's going to have really good games. There's no need to update the thread every time he makes a great tackle or misses an interception. It would make sense if he was a United player, but he's not.


The micro-analysis is (in my opinion) a bit too much.

 

[Cassidy]

Batigol was good and similar to Shearer but I think shearer was more clinical. L.Ronaldo came great 96-98 but shearer at his first and second seasons at blackburn was probably the best in Europe IMHO. Was that 95-97. He had a good Euro 96 too. I think he shipped his knee injury then and went a little bit backwards in terms of pace but still a goalscoring machine. Weah was good didnt have Shearers longevity. Romario was class but pre 95 was his peak I think.

Actually L Ronaldo was great from the minute he came to Europe from 94 absolutely killing it as PSV which got him his move to Barcelona in 96.
I agree though that Shearer pre his knee injury was immense, wouldn't go as far to say best in Europe though.

 

[SquishyMcSquish]

This is an argument I hear a lot from Spurs fans. I would argue that the very best have trophies to back up their claim to be amongst the best or at least deliver when it matters (in semi finals and finals), something Kane has yet to do.

He has been class over the past few years but I would still put him in the bracket below Europe's best forwards (Aguero, Suarez, Ronaldo, Messi, Lewandowski etc) because of the reason above.

That's your view on things, most people would absolutely have Kane in the top bracket regardless of trophies. Put him in the Bayern, City, Barca or Juventus side and he wins trophies, it's as simple as that. He's scoring as many or more goals than most of those names, but he's worse because he doesn't play for an elite side? Silly, silly logic. Anybody watching Kane can clearly see he's a top tier striker who would bang them in at any level.

Same with Van Djik. Regardless of silverware, as an INDIVIDUAL he's clearly performing on par with other centre backs around the world who may win trophies. I don't need his team to win something for me to suddenly go 'yep, he's on that level!'. He just is.

I mean you mention Suarez, was he not a top tier striker when he left Liverpool? Did he suddenly become one at Barca because he won the league? No, he was incredible in the PL and obviously one of the best forwards in world football. Nothing changed about him, just the players around him changed.

 

[Treble]

Batigol was good and similar to Shearer but I think shearer was more clinical. L.Ronaldo came great 96-98 but shearer at his first and second seasons at blackburn was probably the best in Europe IMHO. Was that 95-97. He had a good Euro 96 too. I think he shipped his knee injury then and went a little bit backwards in terms of pace but still a goalscoring machine. Weah was good didnt have Shearers longevity. Romario was class but pre 95 was his peak I think.

Batigol was playing in a better league at the time and was considered better than Shearer almost everywhere except for England.

95-97? Ronaldo was incredible 96-98, Shearer was nowhere near that level. Romario's peak was clearly higher than Shearer's and he didn't have a steep decline either after being the best in the world in 1994. Weah's peak was short but he was fabulous in 1995, hence Ballon d'Or.

 

[Stick]

Actually L Ronaldo was great from the minute he came to Europe from 94 absolutely killing it as PSV which got him his move to Barcelona in 96.
I agree though that Shearer pre his knee injury was immense, wouldn't go as far to say best in Europe though.

Yeah I just had a look at Fat Ronaldo's stats and he was brilliant. Romario was very good but really didnt stay long enough at Barcelona for me. Also I dont in any way want to detract from achievements at barca but folk arguing that the premier league was weak back then need to see the lower reaches of the Spanish league which were poor. Shearer was playing with a brand new Blackburn team and fired them to a title. He did my head in because he was lethal off left,right and in the air. Also his pre match chicken and beans was the epitome of boring! Still I thought for those two seasons he was such a lethal finisher.

 

[Stick]

Batigol was playing in a better league at the time and was considered better than Shearer almost everywhere except for England.

95-97? Ronaldo was incredible 96-98, Shearer was nowhere near that level. Romario's peak was clearly higher than Shearer's and he didn't have a steep decline either after being the best in the world in 1994. Weah's peak was short but he was fabulous in 1995, hence Ballon d'Or.

Again much is made of this better league stuff. Batigol was playing in a very good fiorentina side. Was it Rui Costa as playmaker too? I cant fully remember. I loved Batigol but for me Shearer was more of a goalscorer. There was also dross in Serie A then too though. Alexi Lalas was playing there! I did say I thought Shearer pre knee injury. That is pre 96 as he shipped his knock after the Euros in England and that for me puts him ahead of a L. Ronaldo who had only really arrived at Barca I think. Romario was class but his peak for me was 94/95 I think.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Probably, which again is equally weird since he's a rival player. I really do think United fans are too invested either way, you get some who are clearly desperate to play him down at every opportunity, which comes off as seriously desperate .. and then you get some who for some reason feel the need to big him at every possibly opportunity. He's a great defender, we get it, he's going to have really good games. There's no need to update the thread every time he makes a great tackle or misses an interception. It would make sense if he was a United player, but he's not.


The micro-analysis is (in my opinion) a bit too much.

Yup, it really is. Though I feel plenty come to criticise him due to the unreal amount of praise that he gets. I mean, I've watched matches were I feel he's been bang average only to have some pundit laud him and say how great he was. There is quite obviously a narrative being pushed with regards to him, some are desperate to label him as one of the best ever etc, and it's silly.

 

[Zlatan 7]

That's your view on things, most people would absolutely have Kane in the top bracket regardless of trophies. Put him in the Bayern, City, Barca or Juventus side and he wins trophies, it's as simple as that. He's scoring as many or more goals than most of those names, but he's worse because he doesn't play for an elite side? Silly, silly logic. Anybody watching Kane can clearly see he's a top tier striker who would bang them in at any level.

Same with Van Djik. Regardless of silverware, as an INDIVIDUAL he's clearly performing on par with other centre backs around the world who may win trophies. I don't need his team to win something for me to suddenly go 'yep, he's on that level!'. He just is.

I mean you mention Suarez, was he not a top tier striker when he left Liverpool? Did he suddenly become one at Barca because he won the league? No, he was incredible in the PL and obviously one of the best forwards in world football. Nothing changed about him, just the players around him changed.

That wasn’t really the argument put to you. It was more that he hasn’t proven himself in semi finals and finals when the heat is on and the chips are played. That’s a fair comment in my eyes. Maybe he’d fold and go into a shell. We don’t know, and untill we do can we say he’s the best and a player that matters when it really counts? I don’t think so yet.

 

[Treble]

Again much is made of this better league stuff. Batigol was playing in a very good fiorentina side. Was it Rui Costa as playmaker too? I cant fully remember. I loved Batigol but for me Shearer was more of a goalscorer. There was also dross in Serie A then too though. Alexi Lalas was playing there! I did say I thought Shearer pre knee injury. That is pre 96 as he shipped his knock after the Euros in England and that for me puts him ahead of a L. Ronaldo who had only really arrived at Barca I think. Romario was class but his peak for me was 94/95 I think.

Basically, "a few seasons" turned out to be season 95/96 as before that Romario was the best striker and after that Ronaldo was out of this world.

 

[RobinLFC]

Yup, it really is. Though I feel plenty come to criticise him due to the unreal amount of praise that he gets. I mean, I've watched matches were I feel he's been bang average only to have some pundit laud him and say how great he was. There is quite obviously a narrative being pushed with regards to him, some are desperate to label him as one of the best ever etc, and it's silly.

With what agenda or purpose? I don't think any pundit wants to feed particular narratives or whatever, guys like Shearer are just calling things how they see it imo.

He was getting praise here after the Everton game in which he was pretty outstanding, but then others were quick enough to jump into the discussion, stating he was only up against Calvert-Lewin. So you don't have a good game anymore if you're up against a mediocre striker? That's just trying to provide some counter arguments for the sake of it. It would be better if the non-believers stayed out of this thread if he was great and if the Liverpool fans stay out of it if he made a "mistake", because the debate will ultimately always turn out the same way.

The fact that everything that can even remotely be qualified as a mistake is magnified in this thread with stupid comments like "best in the world lol" says enough about how great he has been this season for me. I don't care if he's one of the best ever (which he quite clearly isn't after one or two good seasons, for the record) or if he isn't even the best CB in the Premier League - I see that he wins us points and gives us defensive stability and that's all I want from my CB.

 

[Treble]

VVD is excellent, probably the best CB in the PL the last 2 seasons but he is a bit overhyped due to the perception that it's mostly him who have made Liverpool stable in defence whereas truth is their defensive stability is due to the whole team, especially the midfield. Last night he wasn't protected by Holland's midfield to the same extent and he didn't look like the best CB in the world. Germany could have scored 3 in the first half alone, Sane and Gnabri had a field day against two of the best CBs in the world. Why? Because defence depends on the whole team, not merely on 3-4 individuals.

 

[roonster09]

The fact that everything that can even remotely be qualified as a mistake is magnified in this thread with stupid comments like "best in the world lol" says enough about how great he has been this season for me.

Or how few Liverpool fans said that back pass against Fulham wasn't his mistake shows how low the standards are. (he is having great season but that logic has lot of holes. Every player mistakes are magnified on caf, including ManUtd players).

 

[kaiser1]

VVD is excellent, probably the best CB in the PL the last 2 seasons but he is a bit overhyped due to the perception that it's mostly him who have made Liverpool stable in defence whereas truth is their defensive stability is due to the whole team, especially the midfield. Last night he wasn't protected by Holland's midfield to the same extent and he didn't look like the best CB in the world. Germany could have scored 3 in the first half alone, Sane and Gnabri had a field day against two of the best CBs in the world. Why? Because defence depends on the whole team, not merely on 3-4 individuals.

This is the main issue I have here. The entire Liverpool team improved defensively but for some reason people try to put this on VVD alone, Without VVD vs Bayern in Anfield, we barely had a shot on target. If VVD played that game it could have been credited to his skills and leadership

The defensive work from the attack to midfield to defence is immense, all he had to do most times is to mop up a few balls that get behind the midfield

 

[AshRK]

Probably, which again is equally weird since he's a rival player. I really do think United fans are too invested either way, you get some who are clearly desperate to play him down at every opportunity, which comes off as seriously desperate .. and then you get some who for some reason feel the need to big him at every possibly opportunity. He's a great defender, we get it, he's going to have really good games. There's no need to update the thread every time he makes a great tackle or misses an interception. It would make sense if he was a United player, but he's not.


The micro-analysis is (in my opinion) a bit too much.

Maybe the reason for that is because he is massively overhyped in whatever he does not only be liverpool fans but also by the media. I don't think anyone here will call him average. He is a top defender who will walk into the current united setup but because of the media overhype there is a scrutiny.

I do understand that all these thread bumps in a united forum may look pity but trust me there have been many great players in the past 5 years and none have been so overhyped like VVD, maybe because he plays for liverpool could be one huge reason.

 

[RobinLFC]

Maybe the reason for that is because he is massively overhyped in whatever he does not only be liverpool fans but also by the media. I don't think anyone here will call him average. He is a top defender who will walk into the current united setup but because of the media overhype there is a scrutiny.

I do understand that all these thread bumps in a united forum may look pity but trust me there have been many great players in the past 5 years and none have been so overhyped like VVD, maybe because he plays for liverpool could be one huge reason.

What's the correlation between being a Liverpool player and being overhyped? I wouldn't know why (on the surface objective) pundits like Shearer, Lineker, Ferdinand et al would want to feed into a narrative just because he's a Liverpool player.

I don't think he's massively overhyped either. It's fair to say he's been the best CB in the league this season and maybe last, also due to the fact that there are so few good CBs playing at the moment (certainly compared to a decade ago). I think it's very difficult to say whether he's been the best in the world over that period, because probably less than 5% of the people commenting in this thread watch enough La Liga, Serie A, Premier League and Bundesliga on a regular basis to have a decent opinion about guys like Ramos and Chiellini. And I think he shouldn't be anywhere near the GOAT or top tier CBs of all-time discussion for now, and that probably won't change unless he holds this level well into his 30s while also winning a few trophies at Liverpool here and there, which I can't see happening.

I thought that was the consensus and it's pretty much most of what I've read about him in this thread - best in the league, amongst the best in the world, not near the best of all-time discussion. And he's been doing it for an extended period of time as well now, so no mistake or excellent game should alter that opinion. At least for me it won't.

 

[Bubz27]

Just seen the replay. Hardly a mistake, more a class finish by Gnabry. Makes one minor mistake and now he’s not that great anymore... grow up. Easily been the best CB in the league this season.

This is the issue most have I think. Sure some go way over the top.

But you say it isn't a mistake for supposedly the best CB in world football/ever, letting Gnabry come in from wide left without any challenge whatsoever, letting him get onto his right foot and into a very good shooting position and then letting him get the shot off.

It's a clear and obvious mistake. Any decent centre half should be very disappointed with that. We learn it during Sunday league. Show the winger onto their weaker foot/down the line. Absolute basics.

But some will come here and defend Van Dijk. Hence the opposite overreacting when he does make a mistake.

 

[RobinLFC]

This is the issue most have I think. Sure some go way over the top.

But you say it isn't a mistake for supposedly the best CB in world football/ever, letting Gnabry come in from wide left without any challenge whatsoever, letting him get onto his right foot and into a very good shooting position and then letting him get the shot off.

It's a clear and obvious mistake. Any decent centre half should be very disappointed with that. We learn it during Sunday league. Show the winger onto their weaker foot/down the line. Absolute basics.

But some will come here and defend Van Dijk. Hence the opposite overreacting when he does make a mistake.

Is "could've done better" the same as "making a mistake" though? If that's the case, you can point out a mistake from a defender in 99% of the goals that are scored. Not blocking a cross / not being in the ideal position is not necessarily a mistake imo.

 

[AshRK]

What's the correlation between being a Liverpool player and being overhyped? I wouldn't know why (on the surface objective) pundits like Shearer, Lineker, Ferdinand et al would want to feed into a narrative just because he's a Liverpool player.

I don't think he's massively overhyped either. It's fair to say he's been the best CB in the league this season and maybe last, also due to the fact that there are so few good CBs playing at the moment (certainly compared to a decade ago). I think it's very difficult to say whether he's been the best in the world over that period, because probably less than 5% of the people commenting in this thread watch enough La Liga, Serie A, Premier League and Bundesliga on a regular basis to have a decent opinion about guys like Ramos and Chiellini. And I think he shouldn't be anywhere near the GOAT or top tier CBs of all-time discussion for now, and that probably won't change unless he holds this level well into his 30s while also winning a few trophies at Liverpool here and there, which I can't see happening.

I thought that was the consensus and it's pretty much most of what I've read about him in this thread - best in the league, amongst the best in the world, not near the best of all-time discussion. And he's been doing it for an extended period of time as well now, so no mistake or excellent game should alter that opinion. At least for me it won't.

It's good of you to think that and I don't mind liverpool fans overhyping him as he is your player and he is a damn good player but its the media outlet like sky, bbc etc who make stupid polls or make stupid threads of how VVD is in the league with rio, vidic, terry, adams or how he could surpass maldini as the greatest defenders.

Further to your post, what you call for extended period of time is also not true. His hyoe machine started since start of october. I also think this is his first season where he has performed consistently so well. I don't think anyone compared him with the greats at the end of last season. I do agree he is the best cb right now in the leagul but he has not achieved much nor has he done for an extended period to warrant a comparison with ex greats.

 

[RobinLFC]

It's good of you to think that and I don't mind liverpool fans overhyping him as he is your player and he is a damn good player but its the media outlet like sky, bbc etc who make stupid polls or make stupid threads of how VVD is in the league with rio, vidic, terry, adams or how he could surpass maldini as the greatest defenders.

Further to your post, what you call for extended period of time is also not true. His hyoe machine started since start of october. I also think this is his first season where he has performed consistently so well. I don't think anyone compared him with the greats at the end of last season. I do agree he is the best cb right now in the leagul but he has not achieved much nor has he done for an extended period to warrant a comparison with ex greats.

He's been great since he entered our first XI in January 2018 - that's 1.5 seasons which I consider an extended period, but it's open to interpretation of course. He was already one of the best in the league at Soton during the 16/17 season as well which is why we wanted to buy him in the first place.

Agree that there shouldn't be any comparisons to the likes of Vidic, Terry and Ferdinand (although the latter is probably because from what I remember from Rio, they have quite a similar playing style and the same abilities).

 

[Bubz27]

Is "could've done better" the same as "making a mistake" though? If that's the case, you can point out a mistake from a defender in 99% of the goals that are scored. Not blocking a cross / not being in the ideal position is not necessarily a mistake imo.

No, isnt, fair enough.

Much like that saying about drugs and medicine, every mistake is a "could've done better" but not every "couldve done better" is a mistake.

In this instance, it was a mistake in my opinion. Letting an attacker come from where he did and work his way to a good shooting position on his favoured foot is a mistake by the defender.

I do accept that there are instances where it's just fantastic attacking, but I don't think that's true yesterday. Even after that mistake, it took a phenomenal finish to punish it.

 

[RobinLFC]

No, isnt, fair enough.

Much like that saying about drugs and medicine, every mistake is a "could've done better" but not every "couldve done better" is a mistake.

In this instance, it was a mistake in my opinion. Letting an attacker come from where he did and work his way to a good shooting position on his favoured foot is a mistake by the defender.

I do accept that there are instances where it's just fantastic attacking, but I don't think that's true yesterday. Even after that mistake, it took a phenomenal finish to punish it.

Yeah fair enough I didn't see the Gnabry goal, was just commenting on your point in general

 

[Stick]

Basically, "a few seasons" turned out to be season 95/96 as before that Romario was the best striker and after that Ronaldo was out of this world.

I didnt think Romario played that much in the 94/95 season. I could be wrong but didnt he leave barca for Brazil at the end of that season? He had similar league scoring stats to Shearer in 93/94. So as I said for a few years before he injured his knee he was in my opinion the best in Europe.

 

[Cassidy]

I didnt think Romario played that much in the 94/95 season. I could be wrong but didnt he leave barca for Brazil at the end of that season? He had similar league scoring stats to Shearer in 93/94. So as I said for a few years before he injured his knee he was in my opinion the best in Europe.

94/95 Batistuta was probably better than Shearer

 

[Stick]

94/95 Batistuta was probably better than Shearer

Not for me. What did he get in the league in that season? 25? Shearer was 30+

 

[roonster09]

Not for me. What did he get in the league in that season? 25? Shearer was 30+

Batistuta 26 goals in 32 games.
Shearer 34 goals in 42 games.

This is ignoring Serie A was by far the best league in the world and miles better than PL.

 

[Stick]

I dont buy the weak league stuff. All leagues have weak teams. Shearer was part of a new team and he effectively fired them to a Premier league title. No mean feat. Batigol scored in a progressive Fiorentina team but there were some dire teams in that league.

 

[Cassidy]

I dont buy the weak league stuff. All leagues have weak teams. Shearer was part of a new team and he effectively fired them to a Premier league title. No mean feat. Batigol scored in a progressive Fiorentina team but there were some dire teams in that league.

It was the best league in the world at the time, the PL also had dire teams btw, and also Shearer played a lot more games.

 

[Enigma_87]

I dont buy the weak league stuff. All leagues have weak teams. Shearer was part of a new team and he effectively fired them to a Premier league title. No mean feat. Batigol scored in a progressive Fiorentina team but there were some dire teams in that league.

Batistuta scored in 22 out of the 34 games. He missed two (against Bari and Torino) and didn't score a hattrick that season and scored against every side in the league bar Roma.

Serie A wast the best league by far it was tough as hell to break defences at the time and all top players were playing there. It's really no comparison in terms of depth in the 90's.

 

[Stick]

It was the best league in the world at the time, the PL also had dire teams btw, and also Shearer played a lot more games.

I did say all leagues have weak teams and I dont think the gulf between Serie A was that vast. I still would have Shearer in my team ahead of Batigol.

 

[Stick]

Batistuta scored in 22 out of the 34 games. He missed two (against Bari and Torino) and didn't score a hattrick that season and scored against every side in the league bar Roma.

Serie A wast the best league by far it was tough as hell to break defences at the time and all top players were playing there. It's really no comparison in terms of depth in the 90's.

I used to watch Serie A back then on Channel 4. You lads are making out like it was streets ahead of the Premier league at the time. It really wasnt.