He was highly rated in his early 20s as well, although as a winger - he was then moved centrally, partly because Robben and Ribery were better wingers than him and found out that he was equally good there. His ability was never in doubt.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
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He was highly rated in his early 20s as well, although as a winger - he was then moved centrally, partly because Robben and Ribery were better wingers than him and found out that he was equally good there. His ability was never in doubt.
You miss my point.
I actually think he's far more impressive in CM. I doubt he would have taken to the role so well 4 years ago though.
He impressed me everytime I watched him play.
Hes always been a top talent but right now he's the best central midfielder in the world cup.
Player of the tournament so far which gives him a pretty excellent chance. The only player that can stop him would be Villa.
Player of the tournament so far which gives him a pretty excellent chance. The only player that can stop him would be Villa.
Sneijder has been pretty good centrally as well. Either would be fantastic for us.
They play in different positions though.
Or sneijder if NL win the world cup.
True, he has an outside chance.
Anyone else think he is no better than we have? Especially if Hargreaves returns to anything like the form we know of him.
Well he's different to Hargreaves and Fletcher. More creative and comfortable dictating possession.
He's better than Carrick who is more comparable.
He'd be an immense signing but I can't see him leaving Bayern.
hargreaves is a completely different player, not as technically gifted in attacking phases, takes ages to release the ball, and the qualifier you used (if he returns to form) is like saying if charlize theron will sit on your face...very slim chance of happening.
Going on his WC performances he's much better than anything United have, going on these performances he's much better than what most clubs have.
The only concern is adapting, suiting the team and consistency.
Ah just let him stay with Bayern, they need to keep their best if they are to keep going well in the CL.
I know most right now are shooting their wads over Ozil but, more I think about it - Schweinsteiger in current form is so much better a fit for us.
For his pluses:
He can play the holding/defensive midfielder role but, his ability has shown he can be a creative spark.
He has a great set piece delivery (something we are severely lacking) and has a canon of shot.
Can play the wing as well in a pinch.
In a 4-4-2 with Fletcher - he has the energy/strength to play against the strongest midfielders out there but, also has the ability to pass and create as well from the middle
In a 4-5-1 - where people want Ozil for us, Bastian doesn't have to play the man supporting the striker though he certainly can. He can sit in front of the back 4, helping link defense to attack or he can even be the outlet from the holding player in the middle of the park then spreading play.
You could literally put him along side any 1 or 2 other midfielders in our squad and would be highly effective. Put him with Fletcher/Scholes with Scholes being the one in front of defense dictating play or you could play him with Giggs or Park as the attacking midfield along with Carrick as the other midfielder.
He literally could be an every game starter for us regardless of formation or line up. I don't see myself saying that about Ozil as I don't think he is a starter ahead of Nani or Valencia on the wings.
For his pluses:
He can play the holding/defensive midfielder role but, his ability has shown he can be a creative spark.
He has a great set piece delivery (something we are severely lacking) and has a canon of shot.
Can play the wing as well in a pinch.
In a 4-4-2 with Fletcher - he has the energy/strength to play against the strongest midfielders out there but, also has the ability to pass and create as well from the middle
In a 4-5-1 - where people want Ozil for us, Bastian doesn't have to play the man supporting the striker though he certainly can. He can sit in front of the back 4, helping link defense to attack or he can even be the outlet from the holding player in the middle of the park then spreading play.
You could literally put him along side any 1 or 2 other midfielders in our squad and would be highly effective. Put him with Fletcher/Scholes with Scholes being the one in front of defense dictating play or you could play him with Giggs or Park as the attacking midfield along with Carrick as the other midfielder.
He literally could be an every game starter for us regardless of formation or line up. I don't see myself saying that about Ozil as I don't think he is a starter ahead of Nani or Valencia on the wings.
You're dead right. Some people have talked about Oezil as a Scholes replacement. But Schweinsteiger would be a better fit for that role. He's physically stronger and could take all the kicks that get hurled at him in a PL central midfield.
The fact is that Schweinsteiger would be a harder "get" than Oezil though. And I already think it's extremely unlikely we could get Oezil.
I agree but I think people see Ozil as an achievable target, unlike Schweinsteiger.
No one serious.
excellent post, but the problem is there's no way Bayern are selling him, not for a reasonable fee. a Fletcher-Bastian cm would be fecking immense!!! not gonna happen though!
I concur with this sentiment
In that case it makes sense - just got the sense that a lot are looking to break the bank on Ozil - if it's a matter of spending a lot on either and either one is achievable - am pining for a run at Bastian.
Either would be good though. Even more so just to show supporters that we are still able to splash and get a player we want. Also, spending does show ambition whereas maybe there are players out there that might buy the whole skint propganda and that we are in a money saving mode and as such for the future, despite our history, we won't be competing for trophies at the highest of levels.
I've a hunch he'll be at Chelsea next season.
The whole Oezil/Schweinsteiger debate is interesting, the way I look at it is that we don't have a player that plays the role Oezil plays, a role that would complete our big game 4-3-3 formation. Now while Schweinsteiger is better than the midfielders we have, and when Scholes retires we may need to buy one in his mould, we do have players that can/potentially can play his role to a decent standard if fit/mentally right.
Both would be absolutely perfect and would just about complete our team.
------------Rooney----------
--Nani------Ozil------Valencia--
------Schwein----Fletch-------
But there's not a chance in hell that Bayern will sell Schweinsteiger unless the bid is truly ridiculous, so there's no point thinking overly about it. Ozil on the other hand is a realistic target considering his contract running down and the fact he's expressed interest in joining us (along with Chelsea, Barca and Real).
I've been stunned by Schweinsteiger's passing abilities in the WC. I knew he was very good in that 'Fletcher' type role, but it's like he's fused the best of Fletch with the best of Carrick, while also being able to dribble far better than them. A very complete midfielder.
------------Rooney----------
--Nani------Ozil------Valencia--
------Schwein----Fletch-------
But there's not a chance in hell that Bayern will sell Schweinsteiger unless the bid is truly ridiculous, so there's no point thinking overly about it. Ozil on the other hand is a realistic target considering his contract running down and the fact he's expressed interest in joining us (along with Chelsea, Barca and Real).
I've been stunned by Schweinsteiger's passing abilities in the WC. I knew he was very good in that 'Fletcher' type role, but it's like he's fused the best of Fletch with the best of Carrick, while also being able to dribble far better than them. A very complete midfielder.
He's brilliant. In the last year he's been one of the best central midfielders in the world.
One of the most complete midfielders? I mean he bosses games with his grit and physicality, and can drive forward menacingly.
One of the most complete midfielders? I mean he bosses games with his grit and physicality, and can drive forward menacingly.
No thanks. Not good enough and no chance he'd leave Bayern anyway.
Him and Fletch together in CM would be a foul-looking disaster.
Him and Fletch together in CM would be a foul-looking disaster.
Except there's no way he's not good enough. He's better than everyone we have.
Yup. Seems to have balls too.
Everyone said the same about Ballack too when he left Bayern.
Not a chance in hell they'd even listen to offers, we'll have much more luck focussing our energy on Ozil.
Yes. A player who wasn't aged 25 with his best years still ahead of him.
Yes. A player who had excelled in a well organised German team and a vastly inferior league who was found out in the Premier League.
Found out my foot.
You honestly think Ballack wasn't found out in the Premier League?
I don't think, I know. When you are ''found out' you perform as poorly as a Del Horno did for Chelsea and leave as soon as he did. After arriving as a star
???
I'm not sure Del Horno 'arrived as a star'. I'm going to stick with my opinion that Ballack was utterly and wretchedly found out at Chelsea. For a man who arrived with the reputation of being the player to inherit Zidane's mantle, he's left this summer having contributed very little despite his massive wages... The fact he's ended up in Leverkusen says it all really.
My point really is just to try and temper some of the unbound enthusiasm shown here for the German players. I think any player moving from the BL to the PL is going to struggle, particularly central midfielders because of their heavy responsibility and involvment in the game...
By the way, stop writing 'I don't think, I know'. This is a discussion forum you self-important twit- you're only posting your opinion, not facts.
Del Horno arrived with a big reputation before his Messi encounter.
You are free to. It's still bullshit regardless.
Are you serious? Ballack has never been rated up there with Zidane! Anyone who thought that really has issues...Ballack has only ever been better or as good as Zidane form wise. Once!
Yep. He contributed so little that Chelsea won a league + cup double with him playing many games......
It doesn't say a single thing. In case you hadn't noticed the fella is above 32. Having spent 4 seasons at Chelsea, while getting plenty of playing time.
Sure. The same way the Germans struggled in midfield against the EPL all stars of England...... typical English man talk.
It is not a mere opinion that Ballack has not been found out in the EPL. Its not my fault you choose to be a bit too dim to know what being found out is. So if you don't like me not buying into your bullshit idea. Don't reply. I'm not in here to please you or take your lousy advice.
What happened with Ballack at Chelsea is certainly mysterious. To say he was found out makes little sense, he was easily the most complete midfielder of his generation.
I'd opine that he couldn't quite fit into a side where he wasn't the main man, and suffered as a result.
I'd opine that he couldn't quite fit into a side where he wasn't the main man, and suffered as a result.
Are you capable of making sense?
In case you hadn't noticed, England v Germany in South Africa wasn't a Premier League match. As Ballack amply proves, playing successfully in the Premier League is a different matter entirely.
Of course he was found out - if he was really 'easily the most complete midfielder of his generation' he'd have stamped his authority on the PL. Instead, he generally made a complete muppet out of himself and looked totally out of his depth.
Yeah, but he will not be returning for the eternal 2-3 weeks.
Are you capable of being nothing less than an insufferable and stupid prick? Ever?
What you quoted made perfect sense. But as usual you were to busy with your head up our stinking arse to notice.
It didn't have to be. EPL players faced Bundesliga players and were taken to school. That's all that matters in my book. All this talk that top Bundesliga players would all struggle in England is just talk. Very baseless talk at that.
Utter bullshit. Ballack was successful enough in England for someone who arrived aged 29/30. He may have not reached his Leverkusen or Bayern Munich heights but he didn't need too. When fit he has been a starter in the Chelsea side and has contributed to every success they've had whilst he has been there.
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