Pepe Reina, Liverpool: He has become the best goalkeeper in the world. The shame is that with Spain he cannot perform regularly as the weight, history and influence of Casillas gives him priority.
Chiellini, Juve: Even Ancelotti says publicly he is the best defender in Italy. That says it all. He could improve playing the ball, but defensively he is a rock
Pepe, Real Madrid: If he didn't have so many injuries, he would be considered the best defender in the world. Fast, strong, clever and can play the ball. All you need from a centre-back in a team that leaves them exposed
Marquez, Barcelona: He is not as quick as he used to be, but now he replaces that with intelligence and he is the first forward when he recovers the ball; there are always good intentions in his passes.
Ronaldo, Manchester United: If Cristiano was a bit more humble I would like him to win all the accolades because he is the kind of player that makes things happen. But I still put a question mark next to him because apart from his personality - or maybe because of it - he still doesn't make an impact in all the big games, like Messi does.
Xavi, Barcelona: A friend and a player I admire. I love chatting football to him, he is a clever man but this year he has added goals and leadership to his game, so that makes him one of the top midfielders in the world.
De Rossi, Roma: The all-rounder. The player any manager would like to have in his team. An obedient, hardworker who has lots of quality on the ball.
Iniesta, Barcelona: He is one of the top left sided midfielders in the world. Used in the centre, in the right of the midfield, or the right of the attack, he is also one of the best in the world. He has one of those priceless qualities - to be an eight out of ten in any position any given day.
Messi, Barcelona The only player of this generation that will belong to the Olympus of di Stefano, Pele, Cruyff, Maradona and Zidane. Wait and you will see.
Torres, Liverpool: This could have been Benzema, Kun Aguero, del Piero, even Eto'o. Torres went through the difficult event of changing team and competition with total success, plus there was that goal in the Vienna final. One day I will explain the crazy things I did at that particular moment!
Ribery, Bayern Munich: He is a step above anybody in the Bundesliga; only Luca Toni comes close. As direct as usual, fast, aggressive and cheeky. He could take Bayern to the next level if only they had better defenders.
Quote from: hardstation on January 02, 2009, 07:07:48 PM
He's the Rossa man on the board but I think he must live in Down now.
yip, a good all rounder
More bullsh1t best 11's ::)
Reina is the biggest laugh of the lot :D
Quote from: full back on January 02, 2009, 07:25:25 PM
More bullsh1t best 11's ::)
Reina is the biggest laugh of the lot :D
Ok lets be mature about this...
Whose better and why ?
I'd pick Nemanja Vidic ahead of Pepe or Marquez. Its a funny looking formation as well!
Unfortunately my knowledge of world football is not detailed enough to give a crticial analysis of his team.
That though does not apply to my knowledge of goalkeepers playing in England. Pepe Reina - best in the world? You're having a laugh Guillem.
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on January 02, 2009, 08:52:27 PM
Unfortunately my knowledge of world football is not detailed enough to give a crticial analysis of his team.
That though does not apply to my knowledge of goalkeepers playing in England. Pepe Reina - best in the world? You're having a laugh Guillem.
Would you agree he is the best in the Premier League seeing as he has won the last three Premiership Golden Gloves awards ???
125 appearances for Liverpool in the Premiership with 68 clean sheets, 48 appearances in Europe for LFC 23 clean sheets...not bad IMO
So despite your limited knowledge of World football ::) I'm sure you can agree it is hardly laughable that he is rated one of the best keepers in the World
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on January 02, 2009, 09:41:48 PM
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on January 02, 2009, 08:52:27 PM
Unfortunately my knowledge of world football is not detailed enough to give a crticial analysis of his team.
That though does not apply to my knowledge of goalkeepers playing in England. Pepe Reina - best in the world? You're having a laugh Guillem.
Would you agree he is the best in the Premier League seeing as he has won the last three Premiership Golden Gloves awards ???
125 appearances for Liverpool in the Premiership with 68 clean sheets, 48 appearances in Europe for LFC 23 clean sheets...not bad IMO
So despite your limited knowledge of World football ::) I'm sure you can agree it is hardly laughable that he is rated one of the best keepers in the World
I don't be around the Board as often as I used to.
Let me ask - you're a Liverpool fan - aren't you? ::)
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on January 02, 2009, 09:50:35 PM
I don't be around the Board as often as I used to.
Let me ask - you're a Liverpool fan - aren't you? ::)
No point in having a reasoned debate with you so I see,if thats the best you can come up with maybe you shouldn't bother ::)
Liverpool doesn't come into it,apart from the fact I'm glad he is with Liverpool and not another team,If he played for another club and had the same record I would have the same opinion..
It's typical of posters to bring out the same aul shite everytime your opinion favours a Irish player or a player of a team you support while at the same time they forget the times you compliment players from other clubs whom you have stated you admire,like I have said about Rooney many a time or Scholes or Cech or Fabregas...
But sure as you said you don't be around the Board as often as you used to so I suppose you can be forgiven ::)
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on January 02, 2009, 10:05:44 PM
No point in having a reasoned debate with you so I see,if thats the best you can come up with maybe you shouldn't bother ::)
Liverpool doesn't come into it,apart from the fact I'm glad he is with Liverpool and not another team,If he played for another club and had the same record I would have the same opinion..
It's typical of posters to bring out the same aul shite everytime your opinion favours a Irish player or a player of a team you support while at the same time they forget the times you compliment players from other clubs whom you have stated you admire,like I have said about Rooney many a time or Scholes or Cech or Fabregas...
But sure as you said you don't be around the Board as often as you used to so I suppose you can be forgiven ::)
I cannot imagine a debate, that entertains the notion of Reina as the best keeper in the world, could ever be 'reasoned'.
And I don't care who else you compliment horse - there can only be one best goalkeeper - it is not Reina.
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on January 02, 2009, 10:13:43 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on January 02, 2009, 10:05:44 PM
No point in having a reasoned debate with you so I see,if thats the best you can come up with maybe you shouldn't bother ::)
Liverpool doesn't come into it,apart from the fact I'm glad he is with Liverpool and not another team,If he played for another club and had the same record I would have the same opinion..
It's typical of posters to bring out the same aul shite everytime your opinion favours a Irish player or a player of a team you support while at the same time they forget the times you compliment players from other clubs whom you have stated you admire,like I have said about Rooney many a time or Scholes or Cech or Fabregas...
But sure as you said you don't be around the Board as often as you used to so I suppose you can be forgiven ::)
I cannot imagine a debate, that entertains the notion of Reina as the best keeper in the world, could ever be 'reasoned'.
And I don't care who else you compliment horse - there can only be one best goalkeeper - it is not Reina.
And who do you reckon it is ???
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on January 02, 2009, 09:50:35 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on January 02, 2009, 09:41:48 PM
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on January 02, 2009, 08:52:27 PM
Unfortunately my knowledge of world football is not detailed enough to give a crticial analysis of his team.
That though does not apply to my knowledge of goalkeepers playing in England. Pepe Reina - best in the world? You're having a laugh Guillem.
Would you agree he is the best in the Premier League seeing as he has won the last three Premiership Golden Gloves awards ???
125 appearances for Liverpool in the Premiership with 68 clean sheets, 48 appearances in Europe for LFC 23 clean sheets...not bad IMO
So despite your limited knowledge of World football ::) I'm sure you can agree it is hardly laughable that he is rated one of the best keepers in the World
I don't be around the Board as often as I used to.
Let me ask - you're a Liverpool fan - aren't you? ::)
Just because we are Liverpool fans doesn't mean we are not objective Rufus old boy. Anyway, what would you know about goalkeeping anyway :P
Seriously though, Reina is a fine keeper, potentiallly one of the best to play for Liverpool, but he is helped by a very solid defence in front of him and a system which protects him well in the area that he is most vulnerable, set pieces and corners in particular. He is one of the best in the world, but not the best. Ir is no coincidence that he is a good friend of Guillem, as are half of the Liverpool squad by the look of his website, http://www.guillembalague.com/. He is very much a Liverpool arse licker and another of Rafa's love-children. I rate him as an analyst but his view is skewed a small bit over Liverpool players. In saying that I would not swap Reina for any other keeper as he is steady, has a great understanding with is defence and has excellent distribution, similar to Smichael in his heyday.
I think van der sa is the best keeper in the world.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 02, 2009, 10:15:57 PM
Seriously though, Reina is a fine keeper, potentiallly one of the best to play for Liverpool, but he is helped by a very solid defence in front of him and a system which protects him well in the area that he is most vulnerable, set pieces and corners in particular. He is one of the best in the world, but not the best. Ir is no coincidence that he is a good friend of Guillem, as are half of the Liverpool squad by the look of his website, http://www.guillembalague.com/. He is very much a Liverpool arse licker and another of Rafa's love-children. I rate him as an analyst but his view is skewed a small bit over Liverpool players. In saying that I would not swap Reina for any other keeper as he is steady, has a great understanding with is defence and has excellent distribution, similar to Smichael in his heyday.
You wouldn't swop Reina for Casillas?
And comparing Reina to Schmeichel is like comparing big Jarlath to Sephen Cluxton :P
Quote from: pintsofguinness on January 02, 2009, 10:17:34 PM
I think van der sa is the best keeper in the world.
What world is that Pints?
Quote from: Minder on January 02, 2009, 10:20:29 PM
Quote from: pintsofguinness on January 02, 2009, 10:17:34 PM
I think van der sa is the best keeper in the world.
What world is that Pints?
This one, I dont follow soccer in the other worlds.
Buffon is probably the best although we don't see him as much these days with no Italian football on telly. Plus he spent a season in Serie B.
A year or two ago everyone said Cech was the best but he hasn't been the same since the collision with Stephen Hunt IMO. Made some awful blunders last year. Still good though.
Iker Casillas is obviously very good.
But I wouldn't swap Reina for any other keeper in the Premier League and I can say that with complete confidence. I'm actually amazed at how underrated he is in England. They must prefer keepers who actually make mistakes.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 02, 2009, 10:15:57 PM
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on January 02, 2009, 09:50:35 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on January 02, 2009, 09:41:48 PM
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on January 02, 2009, 08:52:27 PM
Unfortunately my knowledge of world football is not detailed enough to give a crticial analysis of his team.
That though does not apply to my knowledge of goalkeepers playing in England. Pepe Reina - best in the world? You're having a laugh Guillem.
Would you agree he is the best in the Premier League seeing as he has won the last three Premiership Golden Gloves awards ???
125 appearances for Liverpool in the Premiership with 68 clean sheets, 48 appearances in Europe for LFC 23 clean sheets...not bad IMO
So despite your limited knowledge of World football ::) I'm sure you can agree it is hardly laughable that he is rated one of the best keepers in the World
I don't be around the Board as often as I used to.
Let me ask - you're a Liverpool fan - aren't you? ::)
Just because we are Liverpool fans doesn't mean we are not objective Rufus old boy. Anyway, what would you know about goalkeeping anyway :P
Seriously though, Reina is a fine keeper, potentiallly one of the best to play for Liverpool, but he is helped by a very solid defence in front of him and a system which protects him well in the area that he is most vulnerable, set pieces and corners in particular. He is one of the best in the world, but not the best. Ir is no coincidence that he is a good friend of Guillem, as are half of the Liverpool squad by the look of his website, http://www.guillembalague.com/. He is very much a Liverpool arse licker and another of Rafa's love-children. I rate him as an analyst but his view is skewed a small bit over Liverpool players. In saying that I would not swap Reina for any other keeper as he is steady, has a great understanding with is defence and has excellent distribution, similar to Smichael in his heyday.
BTW I never said he was
the best in the world either...I just hate when you can't give a opinion without being accused of only having that opinion because of the club you do or don't support its a pathethic response IMO,granted we can all be a bit blinkered sometimes but in general most posters on this board (even the Man U ones ;) )are fairly honest with their opinions on players and teams regardless of who they play for..
But IMHO Reina is
one of the best in the World and his record speaks for itself.
Reina is the Anti-Given if you like, if the save is straightforward he makes it look straightforward and not doing a double flip after tipping a ball away. Buffon is probably still the best, rarely makes an error.
Quote from: thebandit on January 02, 2009, 10:19:39 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 02, 2009, 10:15:57 PM
Seriously though, Reina is a fine keeper, potentiallly one of the best to play for Liverpool, but he is helped by a very solid defence in front of him and a system which protects him well in the area that he is most vulnerable, set pieces and corners in particular. He is one of the best in the world, but not the best. Ir is no coincidence that he is a good friend of Guillem, as are half of the Liverpool squad by the look of his website, http://www.guillembalague.com/. He is very much a Liverpool arse licker and another of Rafa's love-children. I rate him as an analyst but his view is skewed a small bit over Liverpool players. In saying that I would not swap Reina for any other keeper as he is steady, has a great understanding with is defence and has excellent distribution, similar to Smichael in his heyday.
You wouldn't swop Reina for Casillas?
And comparing Reina to Schmeichel is like comparing big Jarlath to Sephen Cluxton :P
bandit, he may not be as good a keeper yet as Smichael, but remember, Smicheal wasn't a top notch keeper till his 30's. I am simply saying that his distribution whenever he picks up balls in the box is excellent and is on a par with Smicheal's famous long throw routine that launched many United attacks. Top 5 in the world(in no particular order), Buffon, Casillas, Reina, Cech, VDS.
Anyone ever read the book Balague wrote "A season on the brink" A brilliant read
I used to think Reina was over rated but he has grown on me, and I'd definately have him in the world's top 5.
Best premiership keepers this year have been Turnball (Mboro) and Myhill (Hull).
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 02, 2009, 10:15:57 PM
Just because we are Liverpool fans doesn't mean we are not objective Rufus old boy.
I can imagine a scenario where you would be objective - fair enough.
It's just that the notion that Reina is best, or even one of the best, seems so far off the mark, that the only reasonable explanantion can be club favouritism, or being a relative.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 02, 2009, 10:15:57 PM
Anyway, what would you know about goalkeeping anyway :P
Good point, well made! ;D
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on January 02, 2009, 10:53:26 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 02, 2009, 10:15:57 PM
Just because we are Liverpool fans doesn't mean we are not objective Rufus old boy.
I can imagine a scenario where you would be objective - fair enough.
It's just that the notion that Reina is best, or even one of the best, seems so far off the mark, that the onlyreasonable explanantion can be club favouritism, or being a relative.
Or option 3...You haven't a clue
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 02, 2009, 10:27:17 PM
bandit, he may not be as good a keeper yet as Smichael, but remember, Smicheal wasn't a top notch keeper till his 30's. I am simply saying that his distribution whenever he picks up balls in the box is excellent and is on a par with Smicheal's famous long throw routine that launched many United attacks. Top 5 in the world(in no particular order), Buffon, Casillas, Reina, Cech, VDS.
Reina's distribution is excellent, and this was very apparent recently, but I dont think he is commanding enough, either of his 18 yard area or his defence to be considered world class.
Casillas is top class behind both a bad defence and a bad defensive system.
Quote from: thebandit on January 02, 2009, 10:19:39 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 02, 2009, 10:15:57 PM
Seriously though, Reina is a fine keeper, potentiallly one of the best to play for Liverpool, but he is helped by a very solid defence in front of him and a system which protects him well in the area that he is most vulnerable, set pieces and corners in particular. He is one of the best in the world, but not the best. Ir is no coincidence that he is a good friend of Guillem, as are half of the Liverpool squad by the look of his website, http://www.guillembalague.com/. He is very much a Liverpool arse licker and another of Rafa's love-children. I rate him as an analyst but his view is skewed a small bit over Liverpool players. In saying that I would not swap Reina for any other keeper as he is steady, has a great understanding with is defence and has excellent distribution, similar to Smichael in his heyday.
You wouldn't swop Reina for Casillas?
No.
Goalkeeper is not a problem area for Liverpool in any way whatsoever. Besides, in what way is Casillas is that far ahead of him?
Quote from: Rufus T Firefly on January 02, 2009, 10:53:26 PM
It's just that the notion that Reina is best, or even one of the best, seems so far off the mark, that the only reasonable explanantion can be club favouritism, or being a relative.
Gping to have to call you up on this sir. I am interested to why you think it so laughable? He does throw the head up a bit when he makes an error and is a bit panic-stricken, but there can be no denying he has been absoilutely superb. I would watch La Liga a fair bit, Casiallas has been quite poor this seaosn, countless errros - i suppose he has a vunerbale defence in front of him this year. Buffon is still the best for me, but I would have Reina right up there. VDS in his prime could lay claim to the crown POG, but he is now an imitation of that keeper and I am shocked Ferguson hasn;t made am ove for a keeper in the last few windows. Reina is stilkl only 25 or 26 btw.
The fact of the matter is that with keepers increasingly under the microscope any mistake is magnified. Look at the decline of Cech, noone seems to talk about him anymore after a couple of errors, ok big errors! But he has still been steady.
I dont know how you can have a keeper down as the best in the world when he cant even get on his country's first 11 ???
Quote from: pintsofguinness on January 02, 2009, 10:17:34 PM
I think van der sa is the best keeper in the world.
Ur having a laugh pints, 5-6 years ago but he has been failing the last couple of years and is now probably uniteds weakest position, i'm surprised SAF hasn't been in transfer market picking up young keepers
I think turnbull has been the outstanding keeper in the premiership this year, cant be too long before he gets the england jersey
His best eleven is so Barca/Spanish/Iberian biased that its hard to bother taking it seriously
Quote from: scud on January 05, 2009, 10:31:17 AM
His best eleven is so Barca/Spanish/Iberian biased that its hard to bother taking it seriously
You would swear Spain won it or something.
Quote from: corn02 on January 05, 2009, 11:12:48 AM
Quote from: scud on January 05, 2009, 10:31:17 AM
His best eleven is so Barca/Spanish/Iberian biased that its hard to bother taking it seriously
You would swear Spain won it or something.
But if he is placing so much emphasis on Spain winning it why would he put a goalkeeper in that couldnt make the starting 11 ???
Cos he's a Catalan and Casillas isn't!
Quote from: full back on January 05, 2009, 11:20:19 AM
Quote from: corn02 on January 05, 2009, 11:12:48 AM
Quote from: scud on January 05, 2009, 10:31:17 AM
His best eleven is so Barca/Spanish/Iberian biased that its hard to bother taking it seriously
You would swear Spain won it or something.
But if he is placing so much emphasis on Spain winning it why would he put a goalkeeper in that couldnt make the starting 11 ???
Hvae you seen much of Casillas this year? I have and there is no doubting who has been the better of the two. You have to remember that there is a lot of factors involved. Casillas is regarded as a legend in Spain, Reina will take over soon enough.
Quote from: full back on January 05, 2009, 11:20:19 AM
Quote from: corn02 on January 05, 2009, 11:12:48 AM
Quote from: scud on January 05, 2009, 10:31:17 AM
His best eleven is so Barca/Spanish/Iberian biased that its hard to bother taking it seriously
You would swear Spain won it or something.
But if he is placing so much emphasis on Spain winning it why would he put a goalkeeper in that couldnt make the starting 11 ???
Ahh I think i misinterpreted you. You mean why pick someone who didnt play in tes for the big matches in the Euros? Well to be honest I don;t have an answer, a bit weird alright.
It was a confusing selection corn indeed to put him in nets before Casillas
shay given is in the top 3 keepers in the world if not the best
rarely makes mistakes and has been excellent for club and country for years now
Quote from: Clown on January 05, 2009, 12:12:40 PM
shay given is in the top 3 keepers in the world if not the best
Dont you mean in the Premiership or do you really believe Given is in the top 3 in the world (if not the best in the world) ???
Quote from: full back on January 05, 2009, 12:00:15 PM
It was a confusing selection corn indeed to put him in nets before Casillas
Yeah I though you were just getting a Pool dig in. :P.
Yeha bit baffling I can't see the rationale behind it.
Quote from: full back on January 05, 2009, 12:22:43 PM
Quote from: Clown on January 05, 2009, 12:12:40 PM
shay given is in the top 3 keepers in the world if not the best
Dont you mean in the Premiership or do you really believe Given is in the top 3 in the world (if not the best in the world) ???
The question needs no reply as clearly the knowledge of the majority of posters here is limited to what the English media feed them about the premiership.
By the way Given is about fourth best in the premiership after Reina, Czech and Friedel.Van der Saw isn't even the best keeper at United - Foster is far better all-round keeper and will displace him before the end of the season.
Quote from: corn02 on January 05, 2009, 11:12:48 AM
Quote from: scud on January 05, 2009, 10:31:17 AM
His best eleven is so Barca/Spanish/Iberian biased that its hard to bother taking it seriously
You would swear Spain won it or something.
How did Messi play in it?