Paul Gascoigne | Still living

[goin4glory]

Im outside the UK. You are talking utter rubbish.

You can romance all you want about Gascoigne but he's simply never performed at the highest level and all your wanting won't change that. Are we supposed to say Ravel is better than Pogba because SAF claimed he was the most talented player to ever come through our academy? One is a scrub the other is now among the best players in the world. Actually achieving something in the game is worth more than someones opinion on what could have been or a players "potential".

That's garbage. He was brilliant.

If you can seriously believe he was a better player than any of the players I mentioned you're deluded.

 

[Billy Blaggs]

So a world cup isn't the night level? Give over.
What about the free-kick in the FA cup?

You're the one rewriting history.

 

[Lawman]

He was an extremely hard working midfielder who unfortunately due to a rash tackle on Gary Charles fecked his career up, in fact he probably became half the player he was.

He reminds me if a cross between laudrup and Robson (if that's possible), in regards to today's players, I'd say he was a stronger Modric with flashes of Herrera.

Anyone agree with that comparison?

Nope he was the best English midfielder I have seen. Herrera has no similarity to him ever, Modric I can see where you are coming from but you are still doing an injustice to Gazza and I'm a Scotsman from the green side of the fence.

 

[Billy Blaggs]

Nope he was the best English midfielder I have seen. Herrera has no similarity to him ever, Modric I can see where you are coming from but you are still doing an injustice to Gazza and I'm a Scotsman from the green side of the fence.

I think Barkley is the closest style wise. Rooney talent wise. But he was better than both by a far margin.

 

[Lawman]

I think Barkley is the closest style wise. Rooney talent wise. But he was better than both by a far margin.

Hard to disagree, he didn't achieve as much as M Laudrop that's for sure and I see people saying he was never top 3 and when looking back you have to agree. But at spells he was threatening the best players in the world for that title. He got his injury and never reached those heights again. But what a player and the only midfielder ahead of Scholes that I have seen.

 

[Member 39557]

You can romance all you want about Gascoigne but he's simply never performed at the highest level and all your wanting won't change that. Are we supposed to say Ravel is better than Pogba because SAF claimed he was the most talented player to ever come through our academy? One is a scrub the other is now among the best players in the world. Actually achieving something in the game is worth more than someones opinion on what could have been or a players "potential".



If you can seriously believe he was a better player than any of the players I mentioned you're deluded.

That's if you don't count Italia 90 which turned him into a superstar unrivaled on these shores until Beckham came along. Then there's also Euro 96 when he was clearly past his best due to injuries/alcohol, yet still produced moments of magic.

 

[SirBobbysCombover]

the best player from Britain I have witnessed, he even had his own soccer skills show on tv which was great.

Sadly like Best his talent was beset by his battle with the bottle, and that one great burning star faded to cameos north of the border late in his career.

 

[SirBobbysCombover]

You can romance all you want about Gascoigne but he's simply never performed at the highest level and all your wanting won't change that. Are we supposed to say Ravel is better than Pogba because SAF claimed he was the most talented player to ever come through our academy? One is a scrub the other is now among the best players in the world. Actually achieving something in the game is worth more than someones opinion on what could have been or a players "potential".



If you can seriously believe he was a better player than any of the players I mentioned you're deluded.

Italia 90 says hello

 

[Loon]

Fergie would have snapped him up given the chance.

He did snap him up, only for Gazza to renege on him.

 

[Ole90+3]

He was an extremely hard working midfielder who unfortunately due to a rash tackle on Gary Charles fecked his career up, in fact he probably became half the player he was.

Honestly, Gascoigne had that coming. He was a bit of a dirty bastard. Deserved to get that injury - such justice.

 

[KeaneSixteen]

He was so good, Channel 4 created a whole program, Football Italia, because of him when he moved to Lazio

 

[Lay]

Speaking of which, what was he like at Lazio? Did he play well?

 

[RedTiger]

He was so good, Channel 4 created a whole program, Football Italia, because of him when he moved to Lazio

Van basten? Gullit? Batistuta? Gazza?

 

[KeaneSixteen]

Speaking of which, what was he like at Lazio? Did he play well?

I remember his whole stay there being negative. but the Lazio fans apparently took to him. As with most of his career he had moments of brilliance, spotted with moments of idiocy. He greeted the Lazio owner with the words "Tua figlia, grande tette". or "Your daughter, big tits"

 

[Stacks]

Its a hard question, there were so many strings to his bow. A quicker, stronger, better shooting, and better dribbling version of Iniesta. Basically Iniesta that can drive with the ball through midfield almost at will eliminating 1,2,3 without much of a fuss.

He wasn't Iniesta that could drive the ball through midfield. That gives the impression that he was better than Iniesta. Feck that! Gascoigne's powers are massively overrated. Its just that England aren't used to skillful midfielder like Le Tissier and Gazza so were place them higher than their European counterparts. Iniesta dribbling is emaculate and can skip past players at will from anywhere on the pitch. Gazza never won many team nor individual accolades so he is perhaps the most celebrated, highly rated, non achiever in football which I find strange. Iniesta can potentially be mentioned in the same light as the likes of Zidane since but for two Aliens, he would've won a couple Balon D'ors by now.

 

[KeaneSixteen]

Van basten? Gullit? Batistuta? Gazza?

It was called Gazzetta, not Batzetta

 

[RedTiger]

It was called Gazzetta, not Batzetta

 

[walkinhop]

Im outside the UK. You are talking utter rubbish.

So am I, not even close an English-speaking nation. He is not talking rubbish for the majority of the people in the region.

 

[Stacks]

In terms of pure talent, Gazza was way way ahead of Laudrup. At his peak he was a top 3 in the world player, in a time when the best player I've ever seen was playing. Had it not been for that injury & some very poor career decisions, he would have been an all time great.

No he wasn't as depicted by the top 3 Balon D'or and World Player of the year candidates, there simply were better players around like Baggio, Romario, Stoichkov, Van Basten, Bergkamp. Gazza has done nothing to justify being a top 3 world player. That is absurd. I swear he didn't even win PFA player of the year once when Players like Henry won it 4 or 5 times. He has made the 1st division team of the year twice. Gazza has the most revionist fanbase in english football history. I remember a reporter was talking about the lack of quality of English players and how GAzza is celebrated as some great with just an F.A. cup to his name, when if the was Italian or French, he would just be another good player they have produced. Ginola for example accomplished more individual accolades than Gazza, including in English football. Let that sit for a while

 

[Member 39557]

He wasn't Iniesta that could drive the ball through midfield. That gives the impression that he was better than Iniesta. Feck that! Gascoigne's powers are massively overrated. Its just that England aren't used to skillful midfielder like Le Tissier and Gazza so were place them higher than their European counterparts. Iniesta dribbling is emaculate and can skip past players at will from anywhere on the pitch. Gazza never won many team nor individual accolades so he is perhaps the most celebrated, highly rated, non achiever in football which I find strange. Iniesta can potentially be mentioned in the same light as the likes of Zidane since but for two Aliens, he would've won a couple Balon D'ors by now.

I'm not saying gazza was better than x player from past or present, but dribbling was arguably his best attribute.

Watch this from a minute or so in, and you see him jinking past players at will, This is after his terrible injury too.

 

[11101]

He was a footballer...not an athlete trained to kick a football like 90% of todays footballers. Just came naturally to him.

That's a very good description of him.

It's hard to compare him to anyone else. He may have been the greatest English talent of his generation but there were still a number better than him from other countries. He was not on the Zidane or Iniesta level but could have been close if it had all worked out.

 

[Stacks]

I'm not saying gazza was better than x player from past or present, but dribbling was arguably his best attribute.

Watch this from a minute or so in, and you see him jinking past players at will, This is after his terrible injury too.

Gazza was more Bulldozerish powerful dribbles as he had the athletic side to support that. Iniesta is just pure silk! Its like the difference between, Ronaldinho and Kaka style dribbling IMO

 

[SirBobbysCombover]

No he wasn't as depicted by the top 3 Balon D'or and World Player of the year candidates, there simply were better players around like Baggio, Romario, Stoichkov, Van Basten, Bergkamp. Gazza has done nothing to justify being a top 3 world player. That is absurd. I swear he didn't even win PFA player of the year once when Players like Henry won it 4 or 5 times. He has made the 1st division team of the year twice. Gazza has the most revionist fanbase in english football history. I remember a reporter was talking about the lack of quality of English players and how GAzza is celebrated as some great with just an F.A. cup to his name, when if the was Italian or French, he would just be another good player they have produced. Ginola for example accomplished more individual accolades than Gazza, including in English football. Let that sit for a while

Mate Phil Neville earned more accolades than Mr loreal, where are you going with this one exactly?

 

[SirBobbysCombover]

Gazza was more Bulldozerish powerful dribbles as he had the athletic side to support that. Iniesta is just pure silk! Its like the difference between, Ronaldinho and Kaka style dribbling IMO

Gazza was one of the best dribblers end of, his natural English physiche had less grace than iniesta but just as if not more effective.

Oh he also played in a time where the game was more physical, diving not tolerated and defenders were allowed to tackle, half the modern fairies in today's game wouldn't last 15 minutes in that era.

 

[Loon]

Remember seeing this live and laughing my arse off at the end bit.

 

[devilish]

Gascoigne did nothing in his career to show more talent that Laudrup. Outside of the UK people would simply laugh off the idea he's even close. There's simply no debate with regards to career/consistency and time at the very top since Gascoigne has close to zero in all areas. Laudrup is a legitimate all time great.



Some people seem to rewrite history when it comes to Gascoigne, at no point was he top 3 in the world or even close. That argument is laughable. He was playing at the same time as Maradonna so no argument there. Baggio had moved to Juve for a world record fee and Van Basten was picking up his 3rd Ballon D'or as part of an AC Milan team that on it's own had 3 players better than Gascoigne. Then you've got Romario/Weah/Matthuas etc.

Neither Laudrup nor Gazza were among the top 3 in the world or even close to it. However even Gazza's worst critics would say that the trouble was his attitude not his talent.

 

[devilish]

Laudrup was better than Gascoigne.

He had a better career but he wasn't the better player.

 

[Stacks]

Mate Phil Neville earned more accolades than Mr loreal, where are you going with this one exactly?

Individual accolades was also mentioned lad, of which neither Phil Neville and Gazza have nout

 

[Loon]

Italia 90 says hello

Yup. A pen shootout from being a finalist (and likely winner). He also made the all-star team from the tournament.

 

[Stacks]

Gazza was one of the best dribblers end of, his natural English physiche had less grace than iniesta but just as if not more effective.

Oh he also played in a time where the game was more physical, diving not tolerated and defenders were allowed to tackle, half the modern fairies in today's game wouldn't last 15 minutes in that era.

Please. That argument is poor. Football is all relative to the times. Its like saying the players in the 1930's were the greater because times were harsher. Does the ball stick to Gazza's feet like it does say....Messi's or Iniesta's. Can Gazza turn as sharply? Is he as Agile? is he as quick footed? probably not. How would Gazza fair today for example. Players now are faster, fitter, stronger and could no doubt keep up with his physique. Also they won't tire as much towards the end of the game to get roasted more easily. I'm sure the modern players would cope in the past days as they would've grown up in that era so would be accustomed to the so called "brutality" but still maintained their natural technical talent.

 

[SammyUnited_83]

Firstly, his tackle on Charles was horrendous in that cup final and he should have seen red for that.

1st world cup memory was Italia 90 and Gazza, thought he was incredible.

Fast foward 20 years and I saw him in London walking down the street, with who I presumed was that 5 bellies chap - it couldn't have been such a contrasting image from my memory of Italia 90... got to be honest, left me a little fecking sad, didn't even bother asking for an autograph.

 

[JPRouve]

Gascoigne a latin player in an english body.

 

[facund]

It was called Gazzetta, not Batzetta

Hilarious , hopefully it wasn't meant as a serious comment but it's golden either way.

 

[John_Jensen]

In terms of pure talent, Gazza was way way ahead of Laudrup. At his peak he was a top 3 in the world player, in a time when the best player I've ever seen was playing. Had it not been for that injury & some very poor career decisions, he would have been an all time great.

Gazza was immensely talented, but this is complete horseshit.

 

[.Rossi]

You are all talking about Michael and not Brian, right?

 

[devilish]

Please. That argument is poor. Football is all relative to the times. Its like saying the players in the 1930's were the greater because times were harsher. Does the ball stick to Gazza's feet like it does say....Messi's or Iniesta's. Can Gazza turn as sharply? Is he as Agile? is he as quick footed? probably not. How would Gazza fair today for example. Players now are faster, fitter, stronger and could no doubt keep up with his physique. Also they won't tire as much towards the end of the game to get roasted more easily. I'm sure the modern players would cope in the past days as they would've grown up in that era so would be accustomed to the so called "brutality" but still maintained their natural technical talent.

Players weren't as agile because agility could get you hurt. You only have to watch the horrific injury Kanchelskis suffered from Taribo West in the 90s to understand what I am saying. Having said that, because of that lack of pace, players had to work more on other areas such as their technique, their football intelligence and their vision to break defences. That was a time when football used to produce footballers rather then athletes.

If the likes of Messi played against the Gentiles and the Vierchowods using the 80s-90s rule book then they wouldn't last more then 4-5 games.

 

[Stacks]

Players weren't as agile because agility could get you hurt. You only have to watch the horrific injury Kanchelskis suffered from Taribo West in the 90s to understand what I am saying. Having said that, because of that lack of pace, players had to work more on other areas such as their technique, their football intelligence and their vision to break defences. That was a time when football used to produce footballers rather then athletes.

If the likes of Messi played against the Gentiles and the Vierchowods using the 80s-90s rule book then they wouldn't last more then 4-5 games.

unsubstantiated nonsense. Of course there were agile footballers, Gazza just wasn't one. Agile doesn't mean light weight by the way. And the impression you are giving is that players today are all athletic and no technique which is again absurd. So you are saying the top 10 players in the world in every season aren't masters of technique? When I see Robben dribble and when I see Gazza dribble, I know who's ball skills look closer controlled and more immaculate. Lets not even go into the Figo's, Zidane's, Ronaldo's x2, Rivaldo's, Bergkamps, Henry's, Shevchenkos (this will take too long) all footballers of today who are both great footballers and athletes at the same time. Messi has had the ball at his feet since he was 2 years old and lived, breathed football in every sense. I doubt you can question he is not the produced "footballer" you mentioned.

 

[devilish]

unsubstantiated nonsense. Of course there were agile footballers, Gazza just wasn't one. Agile doesn't mean light weight by the way. And the impression you are giving is that players today are all athletic and no technique which is again absurd. So you are saying the top 10 players in the world in every season aren't masters of technique? When I see Robben dribble and when I see Gazza dribble, I know who's ball skills look closer controlled and more immaculate. Lets not even go into the Figo's, Zidane's, Ronaldo's x2, Rivaldo's, Bergkamps, Henry's, Shevchenkos (this will take too long) all footballers of today who are both great footballers and athletes at the same time. Messi has had the ball at his feet since he was 2 years old and lived, breathed football in every sense. I doubt you can question he is not the produced "footballer" you mentioned.

I remember an old interview (I don't remember by whom) who said that pacey strikers like Lineker wouldn't be considered pacey in today's football because nowadays that speed is the norm rather then the exception of the case and guess what he's right. Football was played at much lower tempo and players had more developed muscles at the legs that was meant to protect them more against rough tackles. Because of it they had to work hard on other aspects of the game such as creativity, technique etc.

Kindly also note that you mentioned a list of players who are now retired. They were the players who played in the transition period between the 80-90s and today's football. These days you can count the truly talented players on two hands, Messi, Ronaldo, Ribery, Ibra and most of them are at the wrong end of their 30s. Soon enough we will see a drought in truly talented and creative midfielders/forwards in the same way we're seeing a drought in defenders. To think that some rate Smalling as a quality defender. He is for today's football but he wouldn't be able to clean the boots of the top quality defenders in the 90s. He wouldn't even make it as a first teamer in the third CL run team with United either

 

[Stacks]

I remember an old interview (I don't remember by whom) who said that pacey strikers like Lineker wouldn't be considered pacey in today's football because nowadays that speed is the norm rather then the exception of the case and guess what he's right. Football was played at much lower tempo and players had more developed muscles at the legs that was meant to protect them more against rough tackles. Because of it they had to work hard on other aspects of the game such as creativity, technique etc.

Kindly also note that you mentioned a list of players who are now retired. They were the players who played in the transition period between the 80-90s and today's football. These days you can count the truly talented players on two hands, Messi, Ronaldo, Ribery, Ibra and most of them are at the wrong end of their 30s. Soon enough we will see a drought in truly talented and creative midfielders/forwards in the same way we're seeing a drought in defenders. To think that some rate Smalling as a quality defender. He is for today's football but he wouldn't be able to clean the boots of the top quality defenders in the 90s. He wouldn't even make it as a first teamer in the third CL run team with United either

Not quite, some were some weren't. Messi and Ronaldo both have super strong legs. They now have the gym technology and personal trainers to actually develop leg muscles effectively today than in the 80's and 90's. I don't agree with this "truely talented" malarchy. Nostalgia plays tricks with the mind and everyone just claims "if they played in the 80's 90's they were better. You do remember The scum with Souness et al were a top team in that era right? And surely if they had to protect themselves from rough tackles, they would be focusing on the physical side? The fact is, it is and always will be a cultural thing. In Spain from a young age players will work on the technical aspects; keeping the ball, passing, 1st touch etc today, just like they did in the 90's. It won't change. The only difference is rather than going to the pub after training, players go to the gym. Germany and France are probably similar. The only exception are countries like England who still value the fitness//stamina side higher. So I don't see how back then they would have worked harder on creativity and technique. You do realise creativity is also a more natural aspect also? It's something natural, individual and instinctive. Its difficult to work hard on being creative.

 

[devilish]

Not quite, some were some weren't. Messi and Ronaldo both have super strong legs. They now have the gym technology and personal trainers to actually develop leg muscles effectively today than in the 80's and 90's. I don't agree with this "truely talented" malarchy. Nostalgia plays tricks with the mind and everyone just claims "if they played in the 80's 90's they were better. You do remember The scum with Souness et al were a top team in that era right? And surely if they had to protect themselves from rough tackles, they would be focusing on the physical side? The fact is, it is and always will be a cultural thing. In Spain from a young age players will work on the technical aspects; keeping the ball, passing, 1st touch etc today, just like they did in the 90's. It won't change. The only difference is rather than going to the pub after training, players go to the gym. Germany and France are probably similar. The only exception are countries like England who still value the fitness//stamina side higher. So I don't see how back then they would have worked harder on creativity and technique. You do realise creativity is also a more natural aspect also? It's something natural, individual and instinctive. Its difficult to work hard on being creative.

English football had improved radically during the past 3 decades. Although I feel that it had peaked around 5-6 years ago and is currently on the decline.

Having said that, top quality football was not played in England but mostly in Spain and especially in Italy. You had a silly situation were even the smallest of Serie A sides could afford 1-2 world class players as absolute beasts like Batistuta, Maradona, Careca, Dunga, Gazza and Hagi who could easily walk into the best of the current sides were playing with small teams like Fiorentina, Napoli, Lazio and Brescia. The level was so high that the likes of Gazza, Laudrup, Bergkamp and Rush had failed to make any impact there and were sold off. Some of them are still ridiculed to this very day because of it.

I stick to what I said. Nowadays football is more about athletes, players who can run for the entire 90 minutes without showing any hint of tiredness while in the past it was all about technique, leadership, football brains and pure talent. I challenge you to mention 25-27 year old players who have the potential to become as good as Maldini, Baresi, Maradona, Van Basten, Zanetti etc.