13 Mar 2017 07:22:59
I was having a chat with a couple of friends over the weekend about the lack of top level British players.
The best United sides have in yhe past at least been built around the best British talent, from Robson, Keane, Giggs, Irwin, Beckham, Scholes and Neville to having players like Fletcher, O'Shea and Brown who may not have been as good as the first list but just as important as solid squad options.
We played a little game which I think would be good on here.
Can you name three British players currently playing who you would want to sign to he first choice for the current United side? If so who?
13 Mar 2017 07:35:10
Kane, Alli, Walker.
13 Mar 2017 07:39:28
3 of the above list are Irish. While I get your point it is important to point out that Irish is not British that should never be confused.
Ali kane bale. 1 world class player and 2 with the potential to be works class. Kane scoring record is impressive and Ali has huge potential.
13 Mar 2017 07:46:59
Bale, Kane, Rose.
13 Mar 2017 08:38:27
Agreed Ken I did name three Irish players, my point is more about the cultural background rather than international boarders. But that is digressing abit from the real point.
Now several people have named Alli, and to be honest he was the first name that came into my head too. But if we are talking about a player who would come in to be first choice then who is Alli pushing out the team? Pogba the worlds most expensive player or Herrera who has probably been our best player this year?
I'm not a fan of Walker, all he has is pace, he is the defensive equivilent of Walcott. Defensively is positioning and tackling are atroious, and his final ball isn't consistent enough to fore go the defensive stability imo. Trippier is a far better RB.
Rose is a solid LB, but personally I think Bertrand is the better player. Beside I still have high hopes for Shaw.
Kane is an obvious choice, we will need someone to take over from Zlatan and Kane is probably the standout candidate for what Mourinho wants from a striker.
Bale is again a no brainer, one of the top ten best players in the world.
My last choice is Eric Dier, just because he is a super player capable of playing both DM and CB both are positions we need strengthening in.
13 Mar 2017 08:52:43
Kane bale rose
But there's a big list. Also Rushford will be good.
I don't rate any of the arsenal Chelsea or city British players. But spurs seem to have had a plan and they've done extremely well in recruiting the best British talent.
Also, Scotland and Ireland used to produce talent but that seems to have dried off at present.
13 Mar 2017 09:40:18
Kane, Ali and Gareth Bale
Just finished reading SchMidfield post and their something I would like to ask, why is their a lack of quality British players coming through? Is teams just not invested in youth anymore, is their too much emphasis on the now instead of the future.
13 Mar 2017 09:40:55
Shappy, being the world's most expensive player doesn't necessarily mean he's good enough. I'd have Ali, at this point in their careers, over Pogba every time. Besides, if Ali went on the open market right now, I suspect he'd go for more than 89 million.
13 Mar 2017 12:40:59
Kane is a no brainer based on his career so far. I'd also take Rose as he has been brilliant for Spurs this season. I'm not going to go with the obvious Bale, and Alli is a decent player, but I don't like the guy tbh, so he can do one. I think I'd like to take Keane back and give him a chance as our CB, see how he gets on as he has been playing really well.
13 Mar 2017 12:53:48
Alli to replace Pogba
Bale for the left
Kane to replace Zlatan.
13 Mar 2017 12:58:17
Stevie, he probably would, but how much of that is because of how much we paid for Pogba?
I really like Alli, he is a player I love to watch. But there has been very little between Alli and Pogba this year in terms of performance, yet one is considered to be playing very well the other is under performing. Its the perspective that is causing it. I'm still very confident that Pogba will be remembered the better player.
13 Mar 2017 15:40:28
Snappy, mate, we must be watching different games this season. I think Ali has been consistently good for most of the season, while Pogba has done it in fits and starts. Pogba may go on to do great things, but like I said above, at this stage in their development, i think Ali is the better player.
13 Mar 2017 16:18:01
Stevie, Pogba has averaged twice as many passes per game, with a higher success rate, he has won the ball back more and completed more take ons. He has also managed twice as many key passes, the reason he doesn't have more assists is due to poor finishing by his teammates, and yet he still has the same amount as Alli. He only area Alli beats Pogba is goals scored. Yet Pogba has hit the post 9 times which is 4 more than any other player in Europes top five leagues. If all those had gone in he would have scored more than Alli too.
So with far more defensive responsibilty Pogba still manages a similar offensive output.
The real difference is Pogba seems to stroll around the pitch, while Alli charges around like his arse is on fire.
13 Mar 2017 18:54:56
It's about consistency for me, mate. Ali does it week in, week out, and doesn't go missing for entire games. Right now, I'd have him in my team all day long over Pogba, even though I still suspect there's a lot more to come from Paul.
{Ed004's Note - I think a midfield with Ali and Pogba would be brilliant with a good holding player but currently Ali has had a better season imo but pogba will be the better player}