Opposition players who you respect

[Seathestars]

There’s loads.

Gianfranco Zola, top drawer
Thierry Henry, the way he glided across the surface, effortless, and brilliant with it.
Ryan Giggs, went sprinting past me down the line one day, couldn’t believe how quick he was.
Di-Canio, for his sportsmanship and passion.

 

[cpfc1905]

David Silva. What a wonderful player to watch. Takes us apart every time we play him, the little bald genius

 

[The Speke Spectre]

David Silva. What a wonderful player to watch. Takes us apart every time we play him, the little bald genius

He just hasn't had a dip since he arrived in England has he? He's been consistently brilliant.

 

[stony]

He just hasn't had a dip since he arrived in England has he? He's been consistently brilliant.

Yet he's never won POTY and often isn't even nominated. He"s only ever been in one TOTY too, and that was back in 2012.

 

[The Night King]

Recently passed away, Cyril Regis (RIP). Model pro and hugely respected by everyone.
Just came across as a genuinely nice guy.

From the same era I remember Gary Mabbutt. Brilliant servant for Spurs and never let his diabetes getting in the way of a long career.
Was gutted from him when he deflected the ball over the keeper for Cov's winner in the 87 cup final (even though I wanted Cov to win).

Dennis Irwin
Gianfranco Zola
Sami Hyypia
Lee Dixon

David Silva
Leroy Sane
De Gea
Salah

Foreign Leagues

Maldini
Pirlo
Del Piero
Totti

Ronaldo
Seedorf
Redondo

 

[jackyboy]

For that lot there’s been a couple.

Alonso, Hyypia, Milner, Torres & Salah.

Elsewhere...

Chiellini, De Rossi, David Villa, Lahm, Ballack.

 

[Rook]

For that lot there’s been a couple.

Alonso.

Alonso was Rafael's best player by a large margin IMO. gawd I hated him. The manager knew that he could play overly defensive, physical football for 90min and always win 1-0 because eventually he's going to unlock someone with a 30-50 yard pass.

 

[Rook]

Historically: In his brief injury free pomp Essien was the best prem player I ever saw.

 

[Rook]

While I've always liked both players I have newfound respect for Ivan Campo and Jay-Jay Okacha for playing some good footie being managed by a sentient cheeseburger for all those years.

 

[Chozz]

Recently passed away, Cyril Regis (RIP). Model pro and hugely respected by everyone.
Just came across as a genuinely nice guy.

From the same era I remember Gary Mabbutt. Brilliant servant for Spurs and never let his diabetes getting in the way of a long career.
Was gutted from him when he deflected the ball over the keeper for Cov's winner in the 87 cup final (even though I wanted Cov to win).

Dennis Irwin
Gianfranco Zola
Sami Hyypia
Lee Dixon

David Silva
Leroy Sane
De Gea
Salah

Foreign Leagues

Maldini
Pirlo
Del Piero
Totti

Ronaldo
Seedorf
Redondo

Agree with nearly all...especially Totti, Del Piero, Maldini, Pirlo.

Not sure Sane deserves such credit. Bit early in his career and not impressed by his two disappearing acts in the champions league quarter finals recently

 

[The Night King]

Agree with nearly all...especially Totti, Del Piero, Maldini, Pirlo.

Not sure Sane deserves such credit. Bit early in his career and not impressed by his two disappearing acts in the champions league quarter finals recently

You're right. That one's more I like than I respect him in that sense.
Something about an old fashioned winger about it - quick, can beat a man inside or out, can deliver a good cross and will get you a few goals.
Seems to work hard (you have to in Pep's teams) and just gets on with it. Scored in the league game vs them. In CL games he had an assist chalked off in the first leg and then a goal in the 2nd.
He's fairly young - in a couple of years he could be an absolute beast.

 

[The Night King]

Historically: In his brief injury free pomp Essien was the best prem player I ever saw.

Monster midfielder.
Seem to recall a crazy goal he scored v the Arse. Last minute screamer with the outside of his foot from about 25 yards.
Then there was that amazing volley v Barcelona.

 

[The Night King]

Alonso was Rafael's best player by a large margin IMO. gawd I hated him. The manager knew that he could play overly defensive, physical football for 90min and always win 1-0 because eventually he's going to unlock someone with a 30-50 yard pass.

Lovely footballer tbf. Showed his quality throughout his time at Real & Bayern.

 

[The Night King]

For that lot there’s been a couple.

Alonso, Hyypia, Milner, Torres & Salah.

Elsewhere...

Chiellini, De Rossi, David Villa, Lahm, Ballack.

Bit of an unsung hero wherever he's been. Remember hoping we'd pick him up when he was still at Newcastle.

 

[Rook]

Lovely footballer tbf. Showed his quality throughout his time at Real & Bayern.

I don't think its a suprise that they were done as a contender as soon as he left. may have made Torres better than he was.