Truly world class.........?

[street end]

Billy

 

[Tipp blue]

Tony Hibbert, Leon Osman and Ashley Williams.

 

[Connor]

None of these

'None of these' yet they've all been mentioned in here.

Thanks for playing fella.

 

[dublinbluenose]

I don't like including players in this list who while are genuinely world class, they only played for a season or when past their best.

 

[pedro1976]

Lukaku has been hit or miss, but if he moves to Juve then that's two top teams he'll have played for, so isn't the answer "Yes" ?

Based on that logic Andy Van Der Meyde, ballotelli, adebuyor were world class....

 

[Connor]

This. Lukaku shouts are strange seeing as he’s struggled to get a start and been binned off by a turd United. He was great for us, but evidently not world class.

We sold him for 90 million pounds Michael. The price of a world-class talent.

 

[Tipp blue]

...I recall this conversation some time ago, and you’re right it does depend on the definition of World Class. My definition is ‘the player would have got a game for any team on the planet’, when they were with Everton. I also think longevity is a factor, so would include only players who were with us 2 seasons or more.

I’m 62 and reckon I have only seen 3 world class players at Everton;

Alan Ball, Ray Wilson and Neville Southall.

I consider Kanchelskis, Lineker and Rooney on the periphery but not qualifying on my definition criteria.

Good definition that, I'd say Lineker would meet the criteria.

 

[IV(AC)]

...Duncan Mackenzie isn’t worthy of a mention. 14 goals in 48 games for Everton, i’m not even sure if he ever got picked for England.

I’m just biased, Eggs
My all time favorite player

 

[street end]

Who was that defender we signed from Tottenham was it? He never played

 

[pedro1976]

Agree with you there, apart from lukaku who is gash

Yep... see what you did there

 

[Tipp blue]

World class players that played for Everton.. Gazza and Gionola world class at one time but not for Everton do they count?

 

[Eggs]

I’m just biased, Eggs
My all time favorite player

...yep, he’s treated as a legend by many, sadly I just thought he was a circus player. I was spoiled by seeing so many greats.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Based on that logic Andy Van Der Meyde, ballotelli, adebuyor were world class....

I'm not here arguing for stupid rules (although I do like arguing), but since no player can be expected to play for every top club, at some point you have to form a reasonable conclusion based on the evidence at hand.

Obviously, a guy like Messi is someone that every club in the world would/should take and build their team around. Then you have guys that can "fit into/play for any team in the world." That's the floor for world class, and that's when the argument takes you to a guy like Baines, who for 2-3 years or so could be argued as such.

Obviously Lukaku (and Pogba) have flopped in Manchester*. Does that mean they're not in the world class discussion? Or do we only discussed retired/nearly retired players or anyone whose their history gives incontrovertible evidence?

*Regarding Lukaku, 28g in 66 PL appearances (1 :: 2.35) or 42g in all 96 appearances (1 :: 2.28), most of which were under Mourinho's abysmal reign, so it can be discussed separately what is "flopped**", but I think that's good enough to maintain legitimate interest for someone who turned 26 last month.

**Strike rate at Everton was much better

 

[sageyefc]

The last player we had that could be classed as world class while they played for us is probably kanchelskis

Baines wasn't far off at his peak though

 

[Eggs]

Good definition that, I'd say Lineker would meet the criteria.

...only here for one season. He was some player at that time, though.