[Rossoneri7]

FORZA MILAN ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devil.gif)


EDIT: I don't believe Bale is a deciding factor, sure he gives them more options and increases their quality all around ... But we also don't have Pirlo, so (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif)

This post has been edited by Rossoneri7: Feb 13 2011, 05:21 PM

[acid911]

Agreed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) And truth is that that for a 21 year-old player there is still time for him to gain the necessary experience and lift his game to world class. As of right now there is potential. Potential and lots and lots of hype (which I don't buy). Sure on his good days, his runs are lethal, but a complete player he is not. Yet.

And as for Ronaldo (the crying variety), he is without doubt the best player in the world at the moment, IMO. With Messi a second. CR7 can do everything there is, epic free kicks, as well as make thrilling runs from half a mile out into the box. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) And a big part of that is because of his strong build and frame. Messi has done awfully well for himself, but he will always be a one-dimensional player for me.

Of course, it is tough to compare both apples-to-apples. Messi plays in a set team, with high amount of chemistry between the players, while Cristiano has new faces and an unstable team. On the NT side of things, even though the Messi plays in one of the bets teams in the world, his performance has been lackluster. Same for CR7 in a way, but at least he can say that his team lacks the flash, legacy, and experience of Argentina. So in reality, it is the case of two player being in an entirely different system, and then there is work-rate and dedication that may be different.

All said and done, no one can say CR7 has to prove anything now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) 50 goals in 52 appearances for Real Madrid is nothing to be scoffed at. And for the sake of this thread, I'll leave it at that. Bale though still has to, and while his performances have been wildly fluctuating, there still is chance. We'll see where the guy is at when he is at his peak, 25, 26 years of age. Unneeded hype, I agree, which should not be there. For the record, I don't think of him as the best left back in the world at this time. Far from it.

[Milan Are Brilli...]

You posted that acid? On MF are you crazy?!

I like Ronaldo, not his attitude but as a player I think he's fantastic. I would say he's the best player that's ever graced the EPL in all honesty. He probably has the perfect body for football, I mean I'd say he's roughly 6ft so not too tall, not too short and he's built incredibly well. Some of that has to go down to Fergie because if you saw him when he came over when he was 18 he was incredibly weak in his physique. Obviously Messi at 5ft 6/7 is never going to be a threat in the air.

Anyway, I wasn't trying to insinuate anything on CR7's part or the age-old debate of him against Messi. It was just to show how our media hype British players up but are quick to say foreign players need to prove themselves before they can really be labelled world-class. Just look at Rooney's goal for example at the weekend the hype was unreal, you compare to what Berbatov received for his V Liverpool (bearing in mind it was one out of a hat-trick).

Bale has to prove that he's world class by doing this season in, season out or at least performing at a high level, until he does that I cannot take all the hype seriously. You cannot brand a player world-class from 2 performances otherwise every player in the world would be 'world-class'.

Modric is not completely fit yet.

He will play over the course of this tie though, have no doubt on that.

[acid911]

You posted that acid? On MF are you crazy?!

Crazy or otherwise, truth should be stated as truth. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I did not buy too much into him at the start, but the guy has proven himself at the top (at least at the club level) for a bunch of seasons running. Not a fan, however love watching him and what he brings to the game.

I like Ronaldo, not his attitude but as a player I think he's fantastic. I would say he's the best player that's ever graced the EPL in all honesty. He probably has the perfect body for football, I mean I'd say he's roughly 6ft so not too tall, not too short and he's built incredibly well. Some of that has to go down to Fergie because if you saw him when he came over when he was 18 he was incredibly weak in his physique. Obviously Messi at 5ft 6/7 is never going to be a threat in the air.

Well said. And as I stated above, his physique is perfection, not just his height, but how he has built his body. Nothing needs to be changed. Messi had his own set of challenges growing up, and not only he is on the shorter side, his legs are also quite thin. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Surely he can't compete with someone like CR7 when it comes to physical performances and display of strength on the field.

Kaka was another one who I thought had (or should I say has) the perfect build for a football player. Maldini, Ronaldo too. But obviously CR7 has the added advantage that he does not get injured as often as these three players. Which is always a good thing to have!

Anyway, I wasn't trying to insinuate anything on CR7's part or the age-old debate of him against Messi. It was just to show how our media hype British players up but are quick to say foreign players need to prove themselves before they can really be labelled world-class. Just look at Rooney's goal for example at the weekend the hype was unreal, you compare to what Berbatov received for his V Liverpool (bearing in mind it was one out of a hat-trick).

True. But hype = $$$, and that is what media does best. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) Obviously, not everyone thinks like you and me. I personally just hate the use of the word "great" six times in a sentence. Particularly coupled with the word "absolutely". There are other adjectives that the so-called pundits can use.

And the fact that the British players will always have that aura around them in the UK is a given.

Bale has to prove that he's world class by doing this season in, season out or at least performing at a high level, until he does that I cannot take all the hype seriously. You cannot brand a player world-class from 2 performances otherwise every player in the world would be 'world-class'.

+1. World-class is another phrase cheapened by the media. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Pity, really.

He will play over the course of this tie though, have no doubt on that.

Oh he will. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Undoubtedly. I am sure we will see a full strength Tottenham team in three weeks against us.