Confidence on the ball

[Alioune DVToure]

I've loved watching David Silva this season (and in the past for Valencia and Spain). It's ages since we've had a player so confident on the ball. In fact, there's probably only been a handful during my life time - Kinkladze, Berkovic and Benarbia spring to mind.

Which player - City or otherwise - has the most confidence on the ball that you've ever seen? For me it has to be Matt Le Tissier. Absolute hero of mine growing up. Just decided to watch a video of some of his goals this morning and I can't believe the composure to beat three or four players at walking pace and just crack one into the top corner from 30 yards. Or to casually let the ball spring up off his toe in open play and then lash one on the turn. Watch and enjoy:

[youtube]FSsdfe4Z69g[/youtube]

(I still think he should've got more of a punishment for his spot-betting confession though)

[Mike J]

Le Tisser was absolute class.

i was always a huge fan of bergkamp.

[Alioune DVToure]

Le Tisser was absolute class.

i was always a huge fan of bergkamp.

The goal at Newcastle where he spun Dabizas the wrong way and then slotted it past the keeper (Shay?) is probably my favourite ten seconds of football as a neutral observer.

[avoidconfusion]

The goal at the 1 minute mark is such a fucking beast. Le Tissier was amazing, I am surprised he never played for England a lot.

[aaron bond]

Le Tissier was a superb player.

He was a guest speaker at a company dinner last year I was at and someone asked why he believed he never played for England more. He said that in 1990 he was all set to sign for Tottenham, fees and terms had been agreed. But he pulled out at the last minute. Venables was manager at the time and never liked him after that. So when he became England manager, he didn't want to give Le Tissier a chance.

Whether Venables did hold a grudge to that extent or not I don't know, but that's what Le Tissier told the audience that night.

[Duckman]

He was one of the best players ever.

[mr_nool]

Le Tisser was absolute class.

i was always a huge fan of bergkamp.

The goal at Newcastle where he spun Dabizas the wrong way and then slotted it past the keeper (Shay?) is probably my favourite ten seconds of football as a neutral observer.

I still think he didn't mean to play the ball on that side of the defender. He wanted to take the ball on the inside of his foot and turn in one movement. That doesn't take away much from the accomplishment, though - the composure to reassess the situation, go around the defender and put it behind the keeper is quite remarkable.

[Ted Hughes]

I remember that game at Southampton when we won a crucial end of season game (was it Stefan Karl?) City defended superbly & basically shut out Southampton from even getting near our box, so LeTiss just started shooting from anywhere, even the touchline. The fucking ball was swerving 3 times before it reached the keeper, well luckily they narrowly missed as I don't think the keeper would have got near any of them. He hit the post near the final whitstle with a shot from the wing.

If you take away the shooting aspect though, Rodney Marsh was even better on the ball. Often over confident & too casual of course but absolutely incredible skill & when he got it right, well I've seen fuck all like it. George Best said he's the most skilled player he's ever seen & I wouldn't argue with that. I wish some of his best feats had been filmed. Some of the tricks he pulled off were beyond belief.

[Alioune DVToure]

I remember that game at Southampton when we won a crucial end of season game (was it Stefan Karl?) City defended superbly & basically shut out Southampton from even getting near our box, so LeTiss just started shooting from anywhere, even the touchline. The fucking ball was swerving 3 times before it reached the keeper, well luckily they narrowly missed as I don't think the keeper would have got near any of them. He hit the post near the final whitstle with a shot from the wing.

If you take away the shooting aspect though, Rodney Marsh was even better on the ball. Often over confident & too casual of course but absolutely incredible skill & when he got it right, well I've seen fuck all like it. George Best said he's the most skilled player he's ever seen & I wouldn't argue with that. I wish some of his best feats had been filmed. Some of the tricks he pulled off were beyond belief.

Yes. 1993/94 I think.

[Mike J]

was stefan karl the absolute pile of crap that had a hammer of a left foot??

[Slim]

Theirry Henry, best player with the ball at his feet. Tried the most audacious shit time and again and kept pulling it off. On his day the most unplayable player I have ever seen.

[Alioune DVToure]

Theirry Henry, best player with the ball at his feet. Tried the most audacious shit time and again and kept pulling it off. On his day the most unplayable player I have ever seen.

That has to be Ronaldinho 2004-2007 for me.

[Ted Hughes]

was stefan karl the absolute pile of crap that had a hammer of a left foot??

I remember he hit that one pretty hard, it pretty much went through the keeper.

[Slim]

Theirry Henry, best player with the ball at his feet. Tried the most audacious shit time and again and kept pulling it off. On his day the most unplayable player I have ever seen.

That has to be Ronaldinho 2004-2007 for me.

Ooooo, that's a good one. Henry vs Ronaldinho. Make Rumble in the Jungle look like a pair of nancy's waving handbags.

[Ted Hughes]

Theirry Henry, best player with the ball at his feet. Tried the most audacious shit time and again and kept pulling it off. On his day the most unplayable player I have ever seen.

That has to be Ronaldinho 2004-2007 for me.

I'd probably agree but Henry was pretty incredible at his best too.

[twosips]

Messi now. Now HE is unplayable. By far the best player that's been alive in my 25 years of existence.

Henry > Ronaldinho.

Mainly cos he did everything Ronaldinho did but scored shit loads more....just my opinion.

[Dameerto]

Vinnie's pretty unflappable on the ball - when he pulled those tricks near our goal line a few games ago to wrong-foot the opposition he nearly gave me a heart attack.

[Alioune DVToure]

Messi now. Now HE is unplayable. By far the best player that's been alive in my 25 years of existence.

Henry > Ronaldinho.

Mainly cos he did everything Ronaldinho did but scored shit loads more....just my opinion.

Disagree. The genius of Ronaldinho was his perfect balance and upper-body strength. He seemed to favour neither side nor either foot. He could change direction, change foot and change pace like no other player I've ever seen. The ball just seemed to follow him.

Thierry Henry was a great player and a prolific striker. Ronaldinho's mastery of a football was something I'd never witnessed before, and haven't since.

[Alioune DVToure]

Le Tisser was absolute class.

i was always a huge fan of bergkamp.

The goal at Newcastle where he spun Dabizas the wrong way and then slotted it past the keeper (Shay?) is probably my favourite ten seconds of football as a neutral observer.

I still think he didn't mean to play the ball on that side of the defender. He wanted to take the ball on the inside of his foot and turn in one movement. That doesn't take away much from the accomplishment, though - the composure to reassess the situation, go around the defender and put it behind the keeper is quite remarkable.

Hmmmmmmmm.......

I can't entertain the possibility that he wasn't 100% in control of what was going on. Just amazing awareness to send the ball and the defender one way and himself another. He just weights the touch perfectly and meets back up with the ball. Exquisite.

[youtube]WDMTNN0tmL0&NR=1[/youtube]

[Beeks]

Theirry Henry, best player with the ball at his feet. Tried the most audacious shit time and again and kept pulling it off. On his day the most unplayable player I have ever seen.

Completely agree...brilliant player at his peak