Raees
Pythagoras in Boots
- Joined
- May 16, 2009
- Messages
- 29,469
I find this one of the most frustrating terms in football. Do I think it needs to be done away with? No as it does have value in the sense it helps us elevate one group of footballers above another and that can be useful in determining quality. However it has become a caricature of itself, and is wildly thrown around under the guise of club bias and far too much credit is given to the fact someone is a 'club legend' or dominated a particular league. When a player is on a wave of form, they named 'World Class' and if a player goes out of form or is past their peak, people forget that they were 'world class' it is just they are no longer operating at the same level.
My own definition is as follows and I would be keen to hear your official definitions and whether it has evolved over the years. Is there a possibility of producing an official redcafe definition using a poll?
- Need to have a consistent body of high quality work against high calibre opposition in latter stages of international and/or continental club tournaments (Dependent on their team context i.e. lesser expectations on a player who features for minnow nation/small club)
- Needs to have performed for a minimum of 2-3 years/or tournament occasions (not necessarily in consecutive years - dips in form are permitted)
- Won 1 trophy as a bare minimum
- Need to be an important member of their side (relative to their position - do not need to be a 'matchwinner')
- ‘Talent’ level is irrelevant, effectiveness is relevant.
- Generally recognised as a top 2-5 player in their position at the time of asking (dependant on depth of quality in a particular era - this can be flexible) .
- ‘Respect’ Factor, are they feared by their opponents or acknowledged as a top player by their peers.
Your thoughts?