Thiago or Xabi Alonso

[Fosterbloke]

I just voted Thiago

[Shaggy]

He's a different level to Xabi. Much more to his game, eg his dribbling skills.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Think time might have dulled the memory of just how good Xabi was.


Xabi was top drawer and whilst they are not like for like players positionally and in terms of what they did on the pitch, I think Xabi was easily as good in his role as Thiago is in his.

Think they have both shown that they could go into the best leagues in the world and excel.

Thiago is the best in the world right now at what he does imo, but so was Xabi.

Still think I give it to Xabi though as he played at a high level for longer (though with each year Thiago is catching him on that one) but Xabi also had to excel in teams with lesser players around him than Thiago has.

Of course that could be turned around by saying Thiago goes into brilliant teams and manages to make already great players look even better.

All I know is they are easily two of the very best passers of the ball I have ever seen play and would put them both up there with the likes of Michael Laudrup, Pavel Nedved and Wesley Sneijder (not comparing them positionally) in terms of the level of technique and ability they had/have.

Think Molby has been mentioned a few times, he was brilliant too, but would put Xabi and Thiago above him.

[Rigadon]

Thiago and Fabinho vs Alonso and Mascherano. All great players but I know which pair I'd choose.

Edit: Also, Alonso playing under Klopp would be on a different level

[Doc_Piptorious]

Thiago and Fabinho vs Alonso and Mascherano. All great players but I know which pair I'd choose.

Edit: Also, Alonso playing under Klopp would be on a different level

That is a very difficult head to head to split tbh. World class players all four of them.

Prime Alonso in a Klopp team would have been some sight to see.

Just made me imagine prime Alonso in the same team as current Thiago. We did get to see hints of what that would have been like when they played together at Bayern but not often enough