LB - Left Back - Leighton Baines the best/world class?

[Nedakey2004]

Leighton Baines' name sake is the same as his position, but recently I had a discussion/debate with a mixture of fans mainly reds and blues over Leighton Baines being world class. The debate started from 1 question that currently is there a better left back out there at the moment other than Leighton Baines? Before this question mainly reds disagreed with him being world class, when the question was asked no-one could give a player better than him so if he is the best surely he should be world class?

He has been Mr Consistent over the past 4 years and the players say some of them dont vote for him at the end of season awards because hes an obvious pick. Sylvain Distin says "hes got everything and by the time he shoots or crosses the ball he is already running back to defend".

Another fact to point out is that he is the number one player in the premier league right now he to create the most chances and hes a defender not a midfielder.

So what do you think guys without trying to be bias, is LB the best left back in the world and is he world class?

Also everyones speaking of a LB song, why not something like "Weve got the best left-back in the world...." same song as artetas Liverpool had a spin on it witht he best midfield a few years back.

On current form, is it any wonder that MAN Ure want our Leighton pre-season? I'm still just seething that sir whiskey nose want to rip us off with the pathetically miserly sum of 10 million????

 

[Nashtbs]

Baines truly is top notch for Everton, but it's been said, he doesn't travel well/gets homesick so would he manage it at a CL level club?

I believe he would, if wearing blue.

 

[kenada_blue]

Would you call Cantona world class, mate?

Arguably but he was erratic. But he backed up the fact he carried United to titles, Leeds, and was was runner up the balloon d'or.

Never did it in internationally, which isn't really the be all and end all

 

[kenada_blue]

I'm still waiting for the people saying he's not world class to say whether they think Neville Southall was.

Or what about Di Stefano, widely seen as one of the world's best ever players. He never made it on the international stage either.

But they were instrumental in their clubs successes, nominated for awards, won titles. A key component.

Baines has been an outstanding performer in a midtable side still unchallenged by the top end of football.

 

[kenada_blue]

Wrong, Stoke are the biggest bogey team in the League and on any given day could beat any team in the world. As long as they defend well and keep a goal out the odds they will soon score off a set piece are very high... I cant stand playing them neither can any other team

As they showed in the Europa League....

 

[Allezfan]

Arguably but he was erratic. But he backed up the fact he carried United to titles, Leeds, and was was runner up the balloon d'or.

Never did it in internationally, which isn't really the be all and end all

Or in Europe is my point. He failed under the conditions that Baines has never been tested in (i.e CLs). Still a world class player, though.

Dixie was never tested against the best of the world in the way Pele, di Stefano et al were too. But while the world might not consider him in the same breath, he pretty clearly was up there in talent. You can still tell a lot about a players quality from their domestic league performances.

 

[paulbefc]

It's clear that no one on here has watched nearly enough of Cole to make a good judgement on who is better at what. On a Chelsea forum if this thread got posted they'd probably think we're all on crack and vice-versa. I think Baines is superior overall, but I'd take Cole's pace and defensive ability over Baines'.

No wonder England never win [Poor language removed] all when the managers can't pick a team correctly to save their lives.

 

[tsdoddy]

But they were instrumental in their clubs successes, nominated for awards, won titles. A key component.

Baines has been an outstanding performer in a midtable side still unchallenged by the top end of football.

Not really one for comparing players with stats but these are interesting. (over last 3 seasons, NOT including so far this season) Baines 18 goals 36 assists. Cole 2 goals 2 assists. Also for the people who question Baines defending, Baines Successful tackle ground duels Baines 82%. Cole 86%, successful aerial duels Baines 54% Cole 49%. Successful attempted blocks Baines 88% . Cole 62%. Not much between them defensively, massive gulf in class between them going forward though!!

same league mate same teams

 

[Big Fat Sam]

Absolute joke by Hodgson if and when he puts Cole back into the team, not just based on the fact that he is a disgusting role model for youngsters, but because he is only the second best English left back in the league, based on form over the past two years. Gotta feel sorry for Leighton.

 

[DanEFC92]

Feel that Cole is the default answer for people who don't actually watch a lot of football outside of Chelsea games when asked about the best LB. Anyone who knows his stuff will say Baines is better. Others should be looked down upon I say!

 

[kenada_blue]

Not really one for comparing players with stats but these are interesting. (over last 3 seasons, NOT including so far this season) Baines 18 goals 36 assists. Cole 2 goals 2 assists. Also for the people who question Baines defending, Baines Successful tackle ground duels Baines 82%. Cole 86%, successful aerial duels Baines 54% Cole 49%. Successful attempted blocks Baines 88% . Cole 62%. Not much between them defensively, massive gulf in class between them going forward though!!

same league mate same teams

Yet how many finals, medals, big tournament games has Baines played in compared to Cole?

Stat attack for a player being an outstanding performer for a team finishing 7th etc compared to an integral player playing for titles in big games.

There's the difference.

 

[EFCNIK]

Ashley Cole is a better player than Leighton Baines.

 

[Roztitute]

Ashley Cole is a better player than Leighton Baines.

hi nik how are you today mate

 

[kenada_blue]

Or in Europe is my point. He failed under the conditions that Baines has never been tested in (i.e CLs). Still a world class player, though.

Dixie was never tested against the best of the world in the way Pele, di Stefano et al were too. But while the world might not consider him in the same breath, he pretty clearly was up there in talent. You can still tell a lot about a players quality from their domestic league performances.

True but at the hight of your game being the best and integral to a successful team, carrying a team to success which they all did, is a difference.

In the modern game, champions league is the top level. City can win the league but struggle in Europe because it's a different kind of pressure.

 

[EFCNIK]

hi nik how are you today mate

im good today mate what you having for tea?