Jakemoore Posted 7 September 2015 Posted 7 September 2015 I have been having a debate with some mates about Mahrez and his potential to be World Class for some time now. They don't rate him much which is their own ignorance talking. I was stating that if he carries on in the way he is progressing at the moment, he could be World Class by the end of this season. But what makes a player World Class? What sets those elite few above the rest?
BigWesMorgan Posted 7 September 2015 Posted 7 September 2015 Messi Ronaldo Neymar Muller Neuer Robben etc... Close topic.
One Legged Beaver Posted 7 September 2015 Posted 7 September 2015 I tend to think of it as players that would fit into a squad of the 23 best players in the world.
Stuntman_Mike Posted 7 September 2015 Posted 7 September 2015 I think it's quite self explanatory what world class means, but it is certainly a phrase branded about far too much and used when it isn't justified. Mahrez has bags of potential no doubt, but to say he is likely to be world class by the end of the season is taking it to the extreme.
Donut Posted 7 September 2015 Posted 7 September 2015 "World Class" to me would be: 1) The ability to almost single handedly define, or change a game on a regular basis. When the team is looking lack lustre or devoid of ideas, he can find something in his locker to find that pass, a dribble that wins the penalty, or that goal that sees the team through. 2) Coming up with the goods in the biggest games, when it matters. Scoring at a goal a game in the qualifiers for example vs the pot 6 teams, or scoring 2 vs Bournemouth wont cut the mustard. It needs to be in the biggest games, on the biggest stages, where big prizes are at stake. 3) He needs to be very good in a number of areas of the game. If he is a good dribbler and has explosive pace, this is irrelevant if he doesnt have a good level of footballing intelligence to make the right decision at the right time, or the quality to pick the pass, or the physical attributes to take the knocks and come back again for more. If he is a defensive player, does he have the engine, the composure to make the tackle, retain the ball, knowing when to stay on his feet, when to slide in, reading the game so he is in the right place at the right time so he doesnt NEED to slide in. 4) He needs to be a professional footballer first. Everything that comes with that is secondary, and because of the football. The best players have retained a focus on what is most important and that is their continual development and hunger to be the best player they can possibly be. 5) He makes his team "tick". He is a central part of the team, one of the first names on the sheet, integral to its success. Not being available gives the opposition a big lift, and the opposition have to put special measures in place to deal with the influence he brings. In my honest opinion, as good as Mahrez is, he will never be "world class". That bracket is reserved for a very, very select few
FoxCal Posted 7 September 2015 Posted 7 September 2015 Bale went from being, in fairness, a £10million flop at Tottenham after three average at best years to being the most expensive player in the world no more than three years later. I'd hesitate to suggest Mahrez having anything like that kind of potential, but could I see him as a reglar at a top six club in a few years? Sure. He needs to work on the lesser aspects of his game, though. He can often be selfish, and tends to make bad decisions (more often than he should be doing). But, with Bale as an example, the sky is the limit, really.
Larry_LCFC Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 World class in a few seasons? Unlikely but possible. World class by the end of the season? I'd do more than just laugh at you.
EnglishOxide Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 I tend to think of it as players that would fit into a squad of the 23 best players in the world. Yep. Or the top 3 or 4 in a position.
Gerard Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 I tend to think of it as players that would fit into a squad of the 23 best players in the world. I agree, I've always defined it as if a squad of 22 like in the World Cup who would be in it.
les-tah Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 id say world class simplymeans that they could walk into to ANY team in the world.
foxfanazer Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 World class is to make game changing contributions at the highest level CONSISTENTLY imo
Vlad the Fox Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 To excel consistently high at club and international level in world cups and euros or equivalent over a number of seasons. For example, strikers missing too many chances regardless of performance are not world class, it has to be the complete performance for the players position.
Alf Bentley Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 If you were picking a World XI for a forthcoming fixture against Mars, the 11 players in the team would be world class (maybe the subs, at a stretch). Would Mahrez make that team? No. Mahrez would probably make the Premier League team for August. If he continues at that level for the rest of the season (highly unlikely), we might be able to start thinking about it.
Sol thewall Bamba Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 If you were picking a World XI for a forthcoming fixture against Mars, the 11 players in the team would be world class (maybe the subs, at a stretch). Would Mahrez make that team? No. Mahrez would probably make the Premier League team for August. If he continues at that level for the rest of the season (highly unlikely), we might be able to start thinking about it. I don't think you have to be in the World XI to be considered world class. If someone was considered "Premiership class" or Championship class", you'd expect them to be competent at that level, but not necessarily in the top XI for that league. Similarly my definition of World class would be if you can compete and make an impact at the top level of football. Does Mahrez currently have, or does he have the potential to, trouble defences at the top level? Possibly. PS. What a nice debate to be having! Beats debating whether we should start Michael Morrison or Robbie Nielson at right back.
Aus Fox Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 World class simply means they would walk into any team anywhere in the world, hence I think very few players can be truly classed as world class. Ronaldo Messi Neuer Lahm Hazard Etc. Mahrez is good, very god in fact and improving all the time, but world class he is not. First he must get to the point where he would get into every premier league team, every week would this happen at any of the top 4? Top 6? Could he be world class one day, yes but not with us.
DennisNedry Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 For me world class is probably the Top 5 players in each position in the world. Mahrez will never be one of the top 5 attacking midfielders in the world.
Sol thewall Bamba Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 Not Rooney Don't let Bert catch you saying that
Buzzell Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 Stephen Clemence. I'll see you're Stephen Clemence and raise you with Ritchie Wellens.
Tom's Pasta Posted 8 September 2015 Posted 8 September 2015 To me, if you're world class then you must be one of the best players in the world, fairly self explanatory. I'd say there are maybe 30-40 players I'd describe as world class, mahrez is a good premier league player but no more than that
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