Players Who Would And Would Not Have Made It In Modern Game?

[Trautmann]

Di Stefano
Puskas
Stanley Matthews (what he could have done with the modern ball!)
and of course Trautmann

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

NQDP, from what I've seen/read Maradona had natural pace and strength in abundance. In his prime he was unstoppable. He'd be the daddy today, no doubt.

well I was lucky enough to be around when he was in his prime for Napoli. He had great upperbody strength but if he had any less pace, he would've stopped moving. Idea of him having had pace is of course build around THAT goal but it's not true. His game was all about speed of thought in which he was sublime. And passing skill that was best I ever saw.

For me he'd be similar to that other Argentinian who used to play for Villareal, whose name for some odd reason escapes me now. You know who I'm talking about.

[dazby]

Riquelme

[Buffalo Soldier]

Maradona would still be the dogs bollocks.
What about Garrincha? Some Dutch guy made a documentary about him a few years back, he looked bloody amazing.

Garrincha (I forgot his name) was one I'd say would be iffy. Barton's background, Merton's lifestyle.

Garrincha used to be a panelist on Have I Got News For You?

Or he used to present a chat show dressed as an old lady?

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Riquelme

That's the man.

Sublime passing skills as well. Can open defences like a surgeon but simply too slow for modern game.

[CitizenYank]

Just curious, maybe it's my German roots, but what about Beckenbauer, Matthaus, or Klinesmann?

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Just curious, maybe it's my German roots, but what about Beckenbauer, Matthaus, or Klinesmann?

All would be top notch. Especially Beckenbauer who was years ahead of his time.

[Scatman]

I can think of loads of players who wouldn't have made it to the very top. The first one that springs to mind is David Brightwell. Andy Hill was another. I don't think Lee Bradbury would have been pulling up too many trees either.

[john@staustell]

Tricky one this. The human race is faster/fitter etc, so if those players were around today I guess they would be too.

It's all about whether Mike Summerbee and George Best would've gone on the piss every Friday night and therefore nowadays not had a hope of making it. Or whether they would, in the modern era, behave themselves because they wanted a job in football, and a well-paid one at that. I suspect the latter.

One definite great player who would be struggling I would say is Jimmy Greaves, self-confessed hater of any sort of application and well-known lover of various liquids.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Tricky one this. The human race is faster/fitter etc, so if those players were around today I guess they would be too.

It's all about whether Mike Summerbee and George Best would've gone on the piss every Friday night and therefore nowadays not had a hope of making it. Or whether they would, in the modern era, behave themselves because they wanted a job in football, and a well-paid one at that. I suspect the latter.

One definite great player who would be struggling I would say is Jimmy Greaves, self-confessed hater of any sort of application and well-known lover of various liquids.

Well, I was trying to look at whether the players in question would've made it as they were back then. So many "sliding doors" moment define the life of human being and especially aspiring professional footballers. Take Georgie Best for example, despite his natural talent, as a personality he was always partial to partying and had bit of "the man don't give a fuck" attitude about him. Personally I don't think he would've even become professional footballer in top level or at least would've vanished quickly from the scene with all the personal problems. In modern game, you simply can't be on a piss on a night before game. You can't be "just a little bit out of shape" or anything. So much has the game moved on in past ten years, never mind fourty.

Also, oen of the original points was as well that certain type of players have disappeared from the scene almost completely. The tall, overly aggressive targetman who can't do more than three keepy uppies but wins all the headers by kicking and punching everyone around him, for example. All the targetmen in modern game are "surprisingly good with ball on their feet". Same goes for midfielders who kick the opposition playmaker more than actual ball. Like of De Jong, who are aggressive and good tacklers, can play football as well. And while we are on subject of playmakers, you hardly ever see slow and lazy playmakers with super passing skills as their only feature. Modern playmakers are 90 minute players who are physically in great condition. Compare someone like Kaká to for example Maradona again.

[Mike J]

maradona would no doubt have made it. phenomenal talent that had lumps kicked out of him back then but still took the piss.

also if gazza had his head sorted out then i also think he would have made it. again, an incredible talent.

[Wonderwall]

Found a top 10, although I dont agree with their order, I mean Zidane at number 10 FFS!

1. Pelé (1956-1977)
Obviously Pele (1940) is not the most original choice as greatest ever football player, but there is no denying his pedigree. His deft touch, dribbling skills and tremendous goalscoring ability, would see him notch up more than a thousand goals and play a key role in two of Brazil's first three World Cup victories. He helped his club Santos win the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup twice. His finest hour came in 1970. Playing in perhaps the greatest ever World Cup winning team, Pelé was universally acknowledged as the world's best player. In 1975 he joined the NASL, and became a goodwill ambassador for football in the USA. It’s a role he has been playing ever since.
My opinion = YES He would have made it today

2. Johan Cruyff (1964-1984)
Johan Cruyff (1947) was the star of the exciting 1974 Dutch "Total Football" World Cup team and the Ajax team that won a hat-trick of European Cups in the early Seventies. Three times European footballer of the year, he was by far the most naturally gifted European player of his generation, and probably of all time. His supreme technical skills, speed and acceleration made Cruyff virtually impossible to defend against. He usually played the centre forward position, but would often drop deep or move to the wing to confuse and draw out his markers. His tremendous tactical insight meant that Cruyff was one of the few players in this top 10 that went on to become a world class coach.
My opinion = YES He would have made it today

3. Diego Maradona (1976-1997)
Diego Maradona (1960) won the 1986 World Cup almost single-handedly and and guided Napoli to it's only two Serie A titles. By far the best player of his generation, Maradona's main strength was his incredible technique, which allowed him to move the ball with pin-point accuracy. Maradona was voted best player of all time in an internet poll held by FIFA, much to the chagrin of Pelé-fans, who contended that such a poll was bound to attract voters who had never seen Pelé play. The title of greatest ever footballer is probably a bit too much credit for a player who also had clear short comings. Since his retirement from football, Maradona's life has been marred by drugs abuse and health issues.
My opinion = YES He would have made it today

4. Alfredo di Stefano (1943-1966)
Two-time European Footballer of the Year, Alfredo Di Stéfano (1926) is believed by many to have been the best all-around player in history. Di Stéfano was a powerful forward blessed with stamina, tactical versatility, and above all vision. He played for River Plate, Huracán, Millonarios Bogota, but was most successful in his role as conductor of Real's symphony of attacking football. After having almost been signed by FC Barcelona, he led their rivals Real Madrid to five consecutive European Cup victories. Di Stéfano won caps for Argentina, Colombia, and Spain, but never graced a World Cup. He moved to Espanyol in 1964 and played there until hanging up his boots at the age of 40.
My opinion = YES He would have made it today

5. Ferenc Puskas (1944-1966)
Scoring 84 goals in 85 matches, Ferenc Puskás (1927) was the stand-out player of the marvelous Hungarian national team that notched up a four year unbeaten run in the early 1950s. The "Magical Magyars" won Olympic gold at the 1952 Helsinki games, but heir most resounding victory came in 1953, when they became the first non-british team to defeat England at Wembley. They reached the final of the 1954, but with Puskas picking up an injury early on in the tournament, the Hungarians were defeated by West Germany. Puskas fled Hungary in the wake of the Soviet invasion of 1956 and went on to play for Real Madrid well into his 30's, winning numerous trophies.
My opinion = YES He would have made it today

6. Franz Beckenbauer (1964-1984)
This list of top 10 greatest ever football players is heavily biased towards forwards, as all these kind of lists tend to be. We make no apologies for that as it is those players that bring joy to the crowds all over the world with their goals and artistry. However, this list would not be complete without Franz Beckenbauer (1945). Nicknamed ‘der Kaiser’, Beckenbauer was the mainstay of Bayern Munich’s triple European Cup winning team of the mid Seventies. He also captained his country to the 1974 World Cup, held in Germany. An elegant and dynamic player known for his outstanding technique and tactical insight, Beckenbauer single-handedly modernised the role of sweeper.
My opinion = YES He would have made it today

7. Michel Platini (1973-1987)
Three times European Footballer of the year, Michel Platini (1955) led France to two World Cup semi-finals and the 1984 European Championship title. At the club level he was most successful with Juventus, winning the European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup in 1985. One of the greatest passers of the ball in the history of the game, Platini was also a master of the free kick. It was a skill which he had perfected using a row of dummies during training. Platini displayed a remarkable goalscoring prowess for someone who was nominally a midfielder. He scored 68 goals in 147 league games for Juventus, and was crowned top scorer of the Serie A on three three occasions.
My opinion = YES He would have made it today

8. Eusebio (1958-1978)
Eusébio da Silva Ferreira (1942) scored an incredible 727 goals in the 715 matches he played for Benfica. His goals helped the club win eleven Portuguese league titles as well as the 1962 European Cup (Eusebio scoring twice in the final). The Mozambique born striker virtually single-handedly took Portugal to third place at the 1966 World Cup, scoring nine goals in six matches. Eusebio's trademarks were his speed (he was a former under-19 Portuguese 400, 200 and 100 metre champion), quick dribble, and powerful and accurate right-footed strike. Until recently Eusebio was the all-time leading scorer for Portugal, with 41 goals in 64 matches. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1965.
My opinion = YES He would have made it today

9. George Best (1963-1984)
A superb dribbler of the ball, George Best (1946) was probably the most naturally gifted British player ever. A combination of lightning pace, perfect balance, and ability to produce goals with both feet meant that, in his prime, Best was a handful for even the most skilled of defenders. Best's annus mirabilis came in 1968, when he won the European Cup with Manchester United and was voted European Player of the Year. In the years that followed his performances on the pitch were increasingly eclipsed by his problems with gambling, womanising and drinking. In 1974 Best left Manchester United, effectively ending his career at the highest level at the age of only 27 years old.
My opinion = YES He would have made it today

10. Zinedine Zidane (1988-2006)
Whether Zinedine Zidane (1972) or Michel Platini is the greatest ever French player is up for discussion. That Zidane belongs in this list of truly great players surely isn't. The outstanding player of his generation, he led France to World Cup glory in 1998 and to the European Championship in 2000. He was a superb passer of the ball first and foremost, an outstanding playmaker that fed his forwards with great passes. But Zidane could produce goals himself as well, most notably the winning goals in the 1998 World Cup Final and the 2002 Champion’s League Final. Zidane was named European Footballer of the Year in 1998, and FIFA World Footballer of the Year in 1998, 2000, and 2003.
My opinion = YES He would have made it anytime anywhere

[Beeks]

Maradona was the greatest player that ever lived...better than Pele IMO

I've had numerous debates on the subject with mates who strongly disagree...but the little argie was something else

To say he wouldn't have made it into a superstar in any decade or time continuum is just daft

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Out of that list Maradona, Platini and Best wouldn't have made that list in modern game, I'd say. Platini was sloooooooowwwww as fooooooooooooooooooookkkkk. Even Cruyff is debatable, being a packet of fags man and I'm not certain whether modern primadonnas would've dealt with Cruyffs ego. In his days, he was always THE boss in the side, usually over the manager as well. All the other players where below him and he called all the shots. Would modern TOP players agree to that?

[Ted Hughes]

I have to say Maradona never seemed to lack pace imo & if Elano/Robinho can play for Brazil then Maradona would still be one of the best players in the world because they're nowhere near him.

If you're talking about which players would make it exactly as they were at the time then I think it would be much fewer because they'd have to have a different kind of fitness; less toughness more workrate/mobility. Bell, Lee, Summerbee would certainly thrive though, Cruyff etc too & imo apart from in his later years Best would still be able to cope easily, he was a great allround player & hard worker at his peak.

To turn it on it's head though, u tube some of the old videos of the pitches they played on, the 'tackles' of Ron 'Chopper' Harris & Norman Hunter & then picture Ronaldo, Henry etc in the middle of it. Some of today's top stars would only have played 4-5 games a season. People like Gerrard, Torres or our lads Micah,Ned, RSC, Bellamy etc would be injured all the time.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I have to say Maradona never seemed to lack pace imo & if Elano/Robinho can play for Brazil then Maradona would still be one of the best players in the world because they're nowhere near him.

If you're talking about which players would make it exactly as they were at the time then I think it would be much fewer because they'd have to have a different kind of fitness; less toughness more workrate/mobility. Bell, Lee, Summerbee would certainly thrive though, Cruyff etc too & imo apart from in his later years Best would still be able to cope easily, he was a great allround player & hard worker at his peak.

To turn it on it's head though, u tube some of the old videos of the pitches they played on, the 'tackles' of Ron 'Chopper' Harris & Norman Hunter & then picture Ronaldo, Henry etc in the middle of it. Some of today's top stars would only have played 4-5 games a season. People like Gerrard, Torres or our lads Micah,Ned, RSC, Bellamy etc would be injured all the time.

But that's the thing, I don't think likes of Norman Hunter, Ron Harris, Vinnie Jones would make it in modern game. Although there are hardmen like Souness who I feel could've easily adopted.

[Ted Hughes]

I have to say Maradona never seemed to lack pace imo & if Elano/Robinho can play for Brazil then Maradona would still be one of the best players in the world because they're nowhere near him.

If you're talking about which players would make it exactly as they were at the time then I think it would be much fewer because they'd have to have a different kind of fitness; less toughness more workrate/mobility. Bell, Lee, Summerbee would certainly thrive though, Cruyff etc too & imo apart from in his later years Best would still be able to cope easily, he was a great allround player & hard worker at his peak.

To turn it on it's head though, u tube some of the old videos of the pitches they played on, the 'tackles' of Ron 'Chopper' Harris & Norman Hunter & then picture Ronaldo, Henry etc in the middle of it. Some of today's top stars would only have played 4-5 games a season. People like Gerrard, Torres or our lads Micah,Ned, RSC, Bellamy etc would be injured all the time.

But that's the thing, I don't think likes of Norman Hunter, Ron Harris, Vinnie Jones would make it in modern game. Although there are hardmen like Souness who I feel could've easily adopted.

No I don't think they'd make it now either but imagine if you're someone like Henry who relys on pace & silky touches & almost every game you get kicked up in the air, running in mud with the ball sticking on dodgy pitches, then I recon you'd struggle to maintain that pace & energy over a season & start to look similar in fitness to the attacking players of yesteryear rather than the superhuman athletes of today.

[Original Dub]

Maradonna would walk into any team now if he was in his prime. Any fucking team, no doubt in my mind.

The world's teams will always cry out for players with that kind of technique and drive.

He was a phenomenon. And I think if someone is hailed as a phenomenon in the footballing world, it generally means they'd make most or all of the top teams 20-30 years later.

[Alex Sapphire]

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