22 Sep 2015 13:06:24
Sir Alex Ferguson touched on something and he made a point by saying the phrase 'world class' is overused in this day and age in regards to good footballers.
If a guy like him who has coached a vast array of talented indivduals over a glory stained 26 year long career can only identify 4 world class players to work under his tutelage, what does that really say about the modern day use of the word 'world class'?
Has the media hype, the say so of retirees turned pundits and a powerful serving of propaganda telling us that the PL is the best thing since sliced bread really moulded our minds to put inferior players on a pedestal? I think it's sad really that so many people seem to get thier rocks off to those labelled 'world class players' when in reality most of them couldn't lace the ture elites boots.
22 Sep 2015 13:27:53
Maze - I suppose it's all about perspective and angles. I am sure we could all name a few more players we could throw into the World Class category. SAF has an axe to grind with a few players and we must remember that having World Class players makes the managers job easier. If he says he has had 10-15 then it negates his managerial quality so it is in his interest to limit the number of names he gives, discussions like this also help sales etc. He is a crafty devil.
I certainly think the term is overused massively and the sad thing is the players believe the hype. The media/pundits have lost a lot of integrity in their quest for viewers and contracts imo.
22 Sep 2015 13:35:04
I enjoyed the interview, it was good and i always enjoy listening to Sir Alex speak, but the part where he says he only coached 4 world class players suggests to me that he still holds on to past grudges. I think it a bit sad to be honest as there were other players who clearly contributed greatly to man utds cause and who also achieved things on a global stage with other clubs. Schmeichel, Keane, Stam, Van Nistelrooy and in many people's opinions Rooney to name but a few.
I agree that the use of the term world class is over used but to use Alex Fergusons interview, where he was advertising a book might I add, as the measure of whether or not world class is over used a naive. He speaks an awful lot of sense but I don't agree with our great manager on this occasion.
22 Sep 2015 13:42:29
His standard for world class player today is Ronaldo and Messi . He then lists Cantona and Giggs as world class players , neither of whom were world class by the standards of Messi and Ronaldo so it seems to me he's contradicting himself
22 Sep 2015 13:58:22
I tend to use the world class label when referring to a player who is one of the top few players in his position in the world. For example Evra 2008-10 was world class but you wouldn't put him up there with Messi or Ronaldo.
I'm surprised his list wasn't a hell of a a lot longer because at various points in their careers a lot of players who Fergie managed could have been considered world class by many people. Look at RVN, RVP, Stam, Schmeichel, Van der Sar, Keane, Scholes etc.
22 Sep 2015 14:05:16
He's obviously making a point by leaving certain players out, which doesn't bother me at all its always been his nature. I would add Keane, RvN and Schmeichel to that list personally but its all subjective and all a matter of opinion.
22 Sep 2015 14:37:31
I do think the term is overused. But I also think a few more than the four Sir Alex mentioned have played for the club during his time.
Why is the term over used? Well it plays into everyones hands.
Players want to be called "world class", that way they can demand "world class" wages.
Clubs benefit from signing the latest "world class" player, with all the media coverage and merchandise sold with that player splattered across it.
The media benefit as it creates a storm around a player and his actions. Making for big headlines, and for fans to spend their money on tv deals to watch all the "world class" players.
Everyone who has a finger in the football pie wins by the media branding of players as world class. So unfortunately every player who has a good few games will become the latest world class star.
22 Sep 2015 15:59:18
World class post shaps :)
22 Sep 2015 16:06:54
I think he means what he says because he also talked about being able to do it consistently over a period of time at the highest level and win at the highest level.
He has no axe to grind with Robson or Schmeichel so people accusing him of that is plain old silly. It is just matter of opinions ones world class player is anthers good player.They are both ambassadors for the club and they would not be in that position if he did not want it.
22 Sep 2015 16:15:55
To be fair to Fergie when I saw the headline I tried to name the 4 players in my head and got them spot on, so in my opinion they were the 4 best players in his time here. To suggest Schmeichel isn't a world class goalkeeper would be crazy though obviously.
I guess it depends on the definition of world class, everybody's is different, some players are more world class than others, what does the definition say:
(of a person, thing, or activity) of or among the best in the world.
I would say based on that we have had a lot more than 4 over the last 30 years but if Fergie came out and said what we all expected his book wouldnt't sell would it?
22 Sep 2015 16:28:22
GDS
His book will sell no matter how many world class players he said we had lol. The man has never been a conformist and not surprised many will disagree with him and have their own views.
22 Sep 2015 16:38:53
The term world class refers to someone who can do what they do anywhere in the world and go with any company.
I think the standard of some players is beyond world class and as such it demeans on world class really means.
Ronaldo, messi, bale, Neymar, Suarez, beckham, Keane, vieira, Henry, van nistelrooy, etc. Were all world class in their prime because they could go anywhere in world football and play.
They are in such a class that they can play and shine anywhere in the world.
22 Sep 2015 16:44:12
Something else also that i found interesting is that before players become sudden flavours of the year or month the scouting system knows about them way before most have heard of them. Whilst some of us like to see certain players signed by the club and the management are a lot more informed about these players than most of us.
22 Sep 2015 17:08:51
I don't think its silly Sharham, in fact I seem to remember him having many axes to grind over the years! And he's come out with many silly comments in support of that (e.g. Ashley Williams could have killed RvP apparently among hundreds of other examples). I love the guy though and have no issue with this, just saying it as I see it.
If its about consistency over time then I don't see how Cantona gets in there over Rio or Keane, for instance? Both shone more on a work stage than Eric too (Ecl especially).
Gds I agree with your last point - it would be naive to think that these guys aren't told to juice things up when writing a book, no matter who they are. Sports books are renowned for this. Also, I may be wrong here but I thought his last book sold at a slower rate than expected?
22 Sep 2015 17:14:30
IMO, we could field a world class United 11 from the players SAF managed during his tenure at the club.
22 Sep 2015 17:14:33
Schmeichel, was worldclass no doubt about it .
giggs never reached that level and neither did cantona .
great player cantona but never really done it in europe and struggled to get into the french team.
should also point out i can remember fergy saying whiteside was the first worldclass player he managed
22 Sep 2015 17:53:58
Good post jred, agree with most and would certainly have Schmeichel and Rio in that bracket (possibly RvN and Keane too) above Cantona and Giggs.
It does depend on how you define WC though tbf.
One thing for sure is his comment has got us all sat up and paying attention. Everyone is discussing it, clever move Imo.
22 Sep 2015 18:26:36
Rio Ferdinand?
22 Sep 2015 19:01:41
Honeybadger ,
he gave his definition of world class when he said Ronaldo and Messi are the only world class players in the game today . By saying that Cantona and Giggs were world class he's putting them in the same bracket which imo they weren't
22 Sep 2015 19:05:50
Ferdinand was never world class, a very good defender but not world class. He lost concentration far too often.
22 Sep 2015 19:15:14
I would add Gary Neville to the list, IMO he was the best RB in the world in his prime.
Maybe a lil bias though :-)
22 Sep 2015 19:26:33
ferdinand was worldclass one of l the best cb about .
ferdy and vidic where as good a combo as i have seen
22 Sep 2015 19:37:06
Interesting how we all see things differently - Rio was easily WC for me, one of the best across Europe in his position consistently for many years, also had that something special in terms of pace and bringing the ball out.
22 Sep 2015 19:49:43
Beckham? Not for me. A very very good player along with most who have been mentioned but as someone else said, it depends where you set the bar to define world class. I think Giggs was light years ahead of Beckham but Becks had the image and people only remember Giggs's later years. The big omission for me is Schmeichel who for many years as the best goalkeeper int he world.
22 Sep 2015 20:03:12
I think Schmeichel was world class and also Becks was up there for me.
I also think the reason he did not see some of the guys we think were world class is that there were better players for those positions. In all honesty i never thought there was a better left winger or midfielder than Scholes and Giggs at any other club.
RVN and the likes of Rio in his eyes where maybe not world class as you had the likes Maldini, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, etc etc at the same time who were better.
22 Sep 2015 20:07:10
schmeichel is one of the best keepers there has ever been imo
22 Sep 2015 21:08:09
I disagree there Jred. He was THE best.
22 Sep 2015 21:35:53
betty
shilton takes some beating
22 Sep 2015 21:50:35
Shilton, what a keeper he was, I agree with that jred.
22 Sep 2015 22:21:02
Shilton better than Schmeichel? Come on Jred , you must be having a laugh , eh?
Shilton was a good keeper to be fair , but Schmeichel was a class above in my view.
The Great Dane would never has got out jumped by an Argentine midget , even if he did have the Hand of God. lol
Oh well , opinions , opinions :)
23 Sep 2015 06:26:13
I was fortunate to see both Shilton and Schmeichel live at their peak and in my opinion Schmeichel was the best keeper I have ever seen, one on one he was incredible.
23 Sep 2015 08:12:30
betty
its very close but for forest when they won the 2 EC shilton was in his prime and was some keeper .
when the midget out jumped him don't forget he was 37 years old maybe not the keeper he once was .
23 Sep 2015 13:26:15
Schmeichal is the best keeper there has ever been, Shilton is the Suarez/Neymar to Schmeichal's Messi/Ronaldo.