Is Thuram World Class?

Don't get me wrong, he was World Class and for a long time, but now I can feel that there are a lot of players that are WC above him.

I also find it difficult to beleive that Barca have 7 World Class players in their first team - we only recognise Chelsea as having 3.

He did well at the WC but he no longer has the pace IMO to be regarded as WC and was exposed a couple of times last season at Juve....

no.

think only Cannavaro and Nesta are (as defenders)

toon h wrote:no.

think only Cannavaro and Nesta are (as defenders)

So you keep saying.

I find it strange that only two Italian defenders can be reagrded as World Class.

What about Heinze, Carvalho, Rio, Puyol, Gallas....?

No.

Well past-it. I hope he plays if Chelsea draw Barsa in the CL this year.

If Thuram is in the WC list, Terry, Gallas and Carvalho must be as well.

Don't think he well-past it.

Still very good, but no longer world-class.

The only world class CB's are Nesta, Ayala and Rio.

Tweedledum wrote:

toon h wrote:no.

think only Cannavaro and Nesta are (as defenders)

So you keep saying.

I find it strange that only two Italian defenders can be reagrded as World Class.

What about Heinze, Carvalho, Rio, Puyol, Gallas....?

I reiterate to the death. Cannavaro and Nesta.
the others not.

no, not WC anymore. I'll make a pole for Rio, i think he should take his place on the list.

toon at lot of people will disagree

I'm used to people disagreeing with me. I'll have to set up my signature again.

"Stupidity has a certain charm, ignorance does not."
Frank Zappa.

toon h wrote:I'm used to people disagreeing with me. I'll have to set up my signature again.

"Stupidity has a certain charm, ignorance does not."
Frank Zappa.

i don´t get the logic of why its easier to be WC as a forward, if defenders do their job v well why can´t they be WC, eg Zambrotta has been hugely consistant over a number of years, easily the best FB around

that is reverse logic, Frank. it is not easier to be WC being a forward. Most quality players are forwards because that is where they are being put by the coaches. That is what happens at the youth schooling. The best kids play forward or midfield organizers.

You can even see it when some midfield players are getting a bit older, they drop back deeper where it is "easier" (can see me getting a lot of stick for this), like Matthäeus did, or Gullit. Gullit was the best CD in the EPL when he played there at Chelsea, FGS.

depends how you rate footballers totally on technical ability of their overall contribution

Well I dont think you'll find a more professional and honoured defender. And in the world cup he was not caused any problems by any striker.

And Gallas for me is the best in the world, as the ability he has to play class in all four positions, plus his strength and pace and footballing brain are awesome.

Gallas followed by thuram, ayala, cannavaro...

No bias there BBR.

Like it

Yep, I'd happily put Thuram in the top 10 defenders in the world, which sorta makes him World Class (obviously it depends on whose definition you use).

Gallas, deffo. Incredibly quick, works hard, good in the air, very good tackler, two-footed, can play across the back 4, brings the ball out of defence very well.

Ferdinand - dunno. Since he was dropped for England last autumn he's played exceptionally well, hitting the heights of his best season for Leeds. But he's inconsistent, and one thing a CB needs is consistency.

So, who are the other World Class players in Barca's line-up? Ronnie, Eto'o, Puyol. Zambrotta probably. Where do you get 7 from?

Xavi y Deco?

Not Xavi imo. Deco sure.

I'd honestly say Zambrotta, Ronnie, Eto'o, Deco, Messi are WC.

I'm not too big a fan of Puyol's. I think he's a great defender, but not WC

S4P wrote:Not Xavi imo. Deco sure.

I'd honestly say Zambrotta, Ronnie, Eto'o, Deco, Messi are WC.

I'm not too big a fan of Puyol's. I think he's a great defender, but not WC

Messi but not Xavi

Too early to include Messi. Xavi just needs Spain to do well and he'll be there.

saintgoingmarching wrote:

Ferdinand - dunno. Since he was dropped for England last autumn he's played exceptionally well, hitting the heights of his best season for Leeds. But he's inconsistent, and one thing a CB needs is consistency.

I think he is. Its not just the defending, its the organisation as well. Its why you often see our defence fall to peices when he's out of the side.

He is inconsistent but not nearly as much as people make out and in the big games is almost always exceptional. I've seen him mark some of the best strikers in the World out of the game - Henry, Crespo etc.

If Gallas is World class (and Gallas is exceptional) then I'd put Rio there as well.

kasnani wrote:Too early to include Messi. Xavi just needs Spain to do well and he'll be there.

Xavi is already on 'the list'.

Messi no way - half a season doesn't make you WC

Maybe.

You know, he was your best forward v us at SB. If I'm totally honest (and I know you might not like hearing this), he was your only forward who really gave us any trouble.

OK, so that leaves Ronnie, Eto'o, Deco, Zambrotta then.

The WC players we have IMO:

Puyol,Zambrotta,Xavi,Deco,Ronaldinho,Eto'o

Soon Iniesta and Messi will be added to that list.

Not Puyol

Tweedledum wrote:Not Puyol

I agree.

The rest are fine

Tweedledum wrote:Not Puyol

No Puyol but Marquez when Puyol as been one of the 10 best CB for 3 years now and Marquez had only been playing CB for 1 year at barca.

plus everytime that Puyol isn't thier tom lead the line and marquez his we ship a boat load for goals.

But Puyol is average!

There are at least 3/4 better Cbs on the planet than Puyol.

Marquez is IMO WC because he has that bit of versatility so that he can play in midfield.

Thuram isn't World-Class, not anymore.

Rio & Puyol are top 5 IMO

Marquez needs another season like the 18months he's just had for me to call him WC

Barcelona WC players IMO - Puyol, Zambrotta, Xavi, Deco, Ronaldinho, Eto'o.