Joe Allen [Sold]

[Rich]

Michu has 13. Is he world class too? Rickie Lambert has 11 too. Is he world class as well?

No and no. What's your point?

I do agree he needs to continue this form for a while longer - but he's up there with RVP and Suarez as the best in the league for me.

Terrorises defences and as Tee points out you only have to look at the teams that'll be in for him if/when he leaves Spurs.

[RichC]

Whilst I don't like the diving burke, you have to say he's a top level footballer these days and I'd guess if he played for us using the "world class" tag wouldn't be seen as too outrageous

[Fredo]

Whilst I don't like the diving burke, you have to say he's a top level footballer these days and I'd guess if he played for us using the "world class" tag wouldn't be seen as too outrageous

Well, when did Spurs had a world class player in their ranks? Last one was Modric, but he's doing really well at Madrid right now.

[Tee]

Well, when did Spurs had a world class player in their ranks? Last one was Modric, but he's doing really well at Madrid right now.

How is that relevant in any way shape or form?

[RichC]

Footballers don't always work out as they should when they move clubs, Modric is class but for whatever reason its not so far worked for him at Madrid, on the same note we sold a world class centre forward to Chelsea which hasn't worked out either you'd still say in his time with us he was world class

[Fredo]

How is that relevant in any way shape or form?

Context. Bale might 'look' fantastic here and be a complete flop in another league. If you look at British footballers over the years, only a handful have had great careers abroad.

A world class talent has to adapt IMO. He needs to be good at whatever challenge you throw at him and I'm very dubious of Bale's capabilities at doing so.

[Fredo]

Footballers don't always work out as they should when they move clubs, Modric is class but for whatever reason its not so far worked for him at Madrid, on the same note we sold a world class centre forward to Chelsea which hasn't worked out either you'd still say in his time with us he was world class

Think Torres might have had an injury issue which he carried with him.

[Tee]

Context. Bale might 'look' fantastic here and be a complete flop in another league. If you look at British footballers over the years, only a handful have had great careers abroad.

A world class talent has to adapt IMO. He needs to be good at whatever challenge you throw at him and I'm very dubious of Bale's capabilities at doing so.

Who said he needs to go abroad to be considered world class? Look around at the British players in the PL who have played their whole careers here. Context.

[Fredo]

Who said he needs to go abroad to be considered world class? Look around at the British players in the PL who have played their whole careers here. Context.

Yeah but context in the regularity and the way he impacts games over a period of time as well. He does it time and again but nowhere as regularly like how Suarez excels for us for example.

Suarez, Messi and Ronaldo are proper thoroughbreds. Week in week out they produce same or close to the same level of excellence. Can you say that for Bale?

Not in the same league.

[RichC]

Context. Bale might 'look' fantastic here and be a complete flop in another league. If you look at British footballers over the years, only a handful have had great careers abroad.

A world class talent has to adapt IMO. He needs to be good at whatever challenge you throw at him and I'm very dubious of Bale's capabilities at doing so.

You could say that about any player though, if Gerrard had gone abroad there is no guarantee he'd have been a success, almost everyone would still say Gerrard is world class though

[Rich]

Context. Bale might 'look' fantastic here and be a complete flop in another league. If you look at British footballers over the years, only a handful have had great careers abroad.

A world class talent has to adapt IMO. He needs to be good at whatever challenge you throw at him and I'm very dubious of Bale's capabilities at doing so.

Sorry Nige, that is a nonsensical argument.

Playing your football in just one country doesn't discount you from being world class - if that was the case then you'd have to say Gerrard, Messi, Xavi et al can't be considered world class.

My original point is that Bale on current form is moving up into that top category of player. Sure he needs to do it consistently for longer but he's a "Rolls-Royce" of a player.

[Tee]

Yeah but context in the regularity and the way he impacts games over a period of time as well. He does it time and again but nowhere as regularly like how Suarez excels for us for example.

Suarez, Messi and Ronaldo are proper thoroughbreds. Week in week out they produce same or close to the same level of excellence. Can you say that for Bale?

Not in the same league.

So you have to be in Messi and Ronaldo's league now to be considered world class?

Utterly ridiculous line of argument. There are so many world class players out there who are not in the same league as Messi and Ronaldo, and I would include Suarez as one of them.

[Shaggy]

Bale has become some player.

However in the PL Suarez, van Persie and probably Mata are top bracket. Bale at the moment IMO is in the next batch below them, with Aguero, Yaya etc.

[Fredo]

Yeah, I have phrased my argument badly. Sorry. I meant regularity more than anything else but wanted to include careers abroad as well and picked up Modric who was a recent example. Mental toughness plays a part in that. Ronaldo has done it over here and in Spain. I bet Messi would do it here as well just by the way he has dominated the game since he was what, 20 years old? That's 5 years at the top level.

[Fredo]

So you have to be in Messi and Ronaldo's league now to be considered world class?

Utterly ridiculous line of argument. There are so many world class players out there who are not in the same league as Messi and Ronaldo, and I would include Suarez as one of them.

Well yeah. World class is being used with whoever is flavour of the month. I remember Rooney being classed as world class as well.