Best 'all-round' Footballer Ever?

Boycott

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Cheesy said:
Simply playing a lot of positions doesn't necessarily mean you're good at them, though. I'm not sure there's any position in which you could argue Fellaini is a specialist. His usefulness up front in an advanced position generally involves knocking long balls to him, since he's not the most creative, or a particularly great finisher. His passing isn't good enough for him to be regarded as an excellent CM.
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Sure. I don't like Fellaini that well but understand why managers appreciate him.

I think the earlier examples in my first post of Blind and Young are two examples of versatile and adaptable players. LvG likes to cover positions with multi functional players instead of big squads. The youth are a fall back for him
 

Gio

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It's about excelling in different phases of the game. On that note I can see why people put forward some of the best box-to-box midfielders who have to be strong on and off the ball and have key roles in defensive and attacking phases. But given the versatility of some of the greats that have been put forward those midfielders really need to have shone in another position to warrant consideration in this discussion. Matthaus and Rijkaard would be the best examples but there are various others who have more proven strings to their bow.

As for Fellaini, despite playing in different positions, I don't think he really shines in different phases of the game and is generally a bit poor off the ball.
 

Fergus' son

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Bob Loblaw said:
About 6 years ago. Back then he was well rounded (though he didn't have the freedom to attack as much then) but now he's lazy and poor positionally.
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Indeed. Not sure why people are mentioning Beckenabuer either, he hasn't been a great all round footballer for around 30 years now.
 

Chesterlestreet

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Billy Blaggs said:
Oh and do you have Bobby's number or are you just a smarmy twat?
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Oh, I'm a twat, no mistake. I do have Bob's number, though - but since I'm a twat you can't have it.

On Edwards versus Best, my grandfather saw both of them and prefered Edwards - though he had Di Stefano down as the best he ever saw.

Of course, with Edwards there's always the potential (and with that the potential overrating and over-mythologization), but my stance is nevertheless that he was something else: A fairly unique combination of strength and technique who seems to have simply dumbfounded anyone who saw him in his pomp. A colossus, as they say.
 

Billy Blaggs

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I'm sure you're not really a twat.
I don't think my granddad saw Di Stefano. I'll not know now as he has dementia. (Second grandparent to have it so I'm fecked.)

He still rated George the better of the two. But I'm assuming that's just opinions.


And I wouldn't know what to say even if you did give me his number.
 

Revan

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Chesterlestreet said:
Oh, I'm a twat, no mistake. I do have Bob's number, though - but since I'm a twat you can't have it.

On Edwards versus Best, my grandfather saw both of them and prefered Edwards - though he had Di Stefano down as the best he ever saw.

Of course, with Edwards there's always the potential (and with that the potential overrating and over-mythologization), but my stance is nevertheless that he was something else: A fairly unique combination of strength and technique who seems to have simply dumbfounded anyone who saw him in his pomp. A colossus, as they say.
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Holy shit, you're Sir Bobby's nephew.

Have his phone number? Check!
Have seen both of Best and Edwards? Check!
Edwards as United's best player? Check!
Di Stefano the best player he ever saw? Check!
 

Fitchett

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Di Stefano, followed by Beckenbauer.

Best United all rounders I have seen were Keane, O'Shea, Robson. One not mentioned so far was 1968 European Cup winner, David Sadler, who was a quality striker and central defender. Ashley Young could end up on that list too eventually.
 

Libano

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If Lahm was a better finisher it would be no contest. World class left and right fullback, midfielder in all positions and even winger.

I would also like to bring Bale into the mix.
 

Henrik Larsson

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Looking at current players, Yaya was great shout. Would love to see a team fielding 10 Yaya Toure's to see what would happen.

Like people already said, Pep's used him at CB at times and he was good there. He didn't give the impression he liked it though, which is understandable given how much of his attacking quality was wasted having to playing there.
 

Eugenius

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Rooney could play any position on the pitch and be decent at it tbf. He was DM for us last season and not looking too bad.
 

Spock

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Beckenbauer, without question. I'm old enough to have watched him play. His play in all aspects was astonishing and had he put his mind to it he could have been an all time great striker. Maybe even keeper!

Edwards perhaps, but I never saw him play.
 
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