All Time TLW XI (Non Liverpool) Team - Centre Midfielders

[Bruce Spanner]

5 minutes ago, Bjornebye said:

No mention of Ballack? 

 

Dropping Ballack won Germany the World Cup.

[Duff Man]

12 minutes ago, lifetime fan said:

How old are you? 
 

Not deliberately trying to be a cunt, just interested. 

I realise he won't be on many people's lists, but I watched loads of footy back then, and he was easily up there with the best around.

[Duff Man]

7 minutes ago, Bjornebye said:

No mention of Ballack? 

Again I think they're slightly different, but if you offered me Essien or Ballack back then, I'd have picked Essien every time.

[3 Stacks]

Essien had a lot of injuries, no? 

[lifetime fan]

1 minute ago, Duff Man said:

I realise he won't be on many people's lists, but I watched loads footy back then, and he was easily up there with the best around.

I get that. He was a quality player. 
 

Just massively below loads already mentioned. 
 

Like I said I want trying to be a cunt, just gauge your age to your picks. 

[Sugar Ape]

Matthaus

Gullit

Xavi

[Duff Man]

Just now, 3 Stacks said:

Essien had a lot of injuries, no? 

Yeah, they fucked him. Did his ACL after about three years at Chelsea and was never the same.

[Bruce Spanner]

Just now, 3 Stacks said:

Essien had a lot of injuries, no? 

 

Yeah, two cruciates and a busted knee in the middle of them.

[Bjornebye]

7 minutes ago, Bruce Spanner said:

 

Dropping Ballack won Germany the World Cup.

Ballacks.... 

 

He was past his best then anyway 

 

Dropping Hansen cost Scotland the World Cup. 

[Lee909]

Gullit is a funny one

He doesn't really fit any position. The man himself wanted to play sweeper through his career, but ended up playing anywhere through the centre of the field depending on team needs. 

[lifetime fan]

Just now, Lee909 said:

Gullit is a funny one

He doesn't really fit any position. The man himself wanted to play sweeper through his career, but ended up playing anywhere through the centre of the field depending on team needs. 

And was world class in every position. 

[lifetime fan]

I’ve dropped him back from my No 10 to accommodate another player that some might have heard of…

[Lee909]

Wondering how anyone on here thinks Essien was the best allround/box to box midfielder around between 06-08. 

 

I mean there was a certain number 8 playing anything from a tucked in RM to CM to eventually a 10 when in possession by 08/09. Just the 55 goals in them 3 seasons

[YorkshireRed]

Zinedine Zidane

Michel Platini

Andres Iniesta

[Bjornebye]

2 minutes ago, Lee909 said:

Gullit is a funny one

He doesn't really fit any position. The man himself wanted to play sweeper through his career, but ended up playing anywhere through the centre of the field depending on team needs. 

Yeah he's one who could easily be picked multiple times 

[Bjornebye]

Just now, YorkshireRed said:

Zinedine Zidane

Michel Platini

Andres Iniesta

You need to wait for the AM thread. 

 

 

Zidane is going on my LW picks as well as AM. 

[chrisbonnie]

Zidane 

Roy Keane 

Xavi 

[lifetime fan]

1 minute ago, Bjornebye said:

Yeah he's one who could easily be picked multiple times 

Nah. It’s very obvious where he’s being picked. 

[Bruce Spanner]

4 minutes ago, Lee909 said:

Wondering how anyone on here thinks Essien was the best allround/box to box midfielder around between 06-08. 

 

I mean there was a certain number 8 playing anything from a tucked in RM to CM to eventually a 10 when in possession by 08/09. Just the 55 goals in them 3 seasons

 

Nobody says he was, or that Gerrard wasn't the standout Premier League midfield player, but Essien was incredible for a couple of years and it goes largely unacknowledged.

 

Injuries did him dirty, or he'd be more fondly remembered.

[Duff Man]

8 minutes ago, lifetime fan said:

I get that. He was a quality player. 
 

Just massively below loads already mentioned.

Yeah, honestly don't think he was. If injuries hadn't got in the way I think general perception of him would be a lot different. Also, it's good to have a few leftfield picks in these things.

 

9 minutes ago, lifetime fan said:

Like I said I want trying to be a cunt, just gauge your age to your picks. 

No worries mate, didn't think you were.

[lifetime fan]

38 minutes ago, m0e said:

The only player who genuinely challenged Gerrard for best midfielder in the league during his entire career.

Patrick Vieira says bollocks. 

[Lee909]

2 minutes ago, Bruce Spanner said:

 

Nobody says he was, or that Gerrard wasn't the standout Premier League midfield player, but Essien was incredible for a couple of years and it goes largely unacknowledged.

 

Injuries did him dirty, or he'd be more fondly remembered.

No, you're right read it wrong 

Thought I'd read he was the best midfielder. But yes he was superb. Mad he's only 38 now and pretty much forgotten. 

 

Can go on the same list as Fowler and Owen as players destroyed well before their peak

 

[lifetime fan]

4 minutes ago, Duff Man said:

Yeah, honestly don't think he was. If injuries hadn't got in the way I think general perception of him would be a lot different. Also, it's good to have a few leftfield picks in these things.

 

No worries mate, didn't think you were.

But he was injured. He wasn’t even the best midfielder int the league he played in at the time, Vieira was better too. 
 

I just asked the age question as was dumbfounded you’d pick him above others if you were over say 25, but I seem to remember you being around for quite a while. 

[Duff Man]

3 minutes ago, lifetime fan said:

But he was injured. He wasn’t even the best midfielder int the league he played in at the time, Vieira was better too. 
 

I just asked the age question as was dumbfounded you’d pick him above others if you were over say 25, but I seem to remember you being around for quite a while. 

Yeah if you factor in injuries then fair enough he should be discounted, but just in terms of ability he was definitely on a par with Vieira before he did his ACL imo.

 

And I am, unfortunately, over 25.

[m0e]

15 minutes ago, lifetime fan said:

Patrick Vieira says bollocks. 

True dat.

 

Those 3 a cut above the rest.