He was a key player in six Premier League titles, 5x in FIFA’s World XI, 2x PFA Player of the Year, 3rd and 4th in the Ballon d’Or.I don't think it's so wild. For me, he's top 20, but you could easily name 20 Premier League players that come into the conversation
Schmeichel, Cantona, Rio, Giggs, Keane, Scholes, Rooney, Ronaldo. There's 8 just from United that most people would include in the top 20, or at least accept they have an argument.
Throw in Shearer, Henry, Adams, Vieira, Bergkamp, Gerrard, Salah, Terry, Lampard, Aguero, Kane, and Bale and we're up to 20.
As I say, for me he's top 20, but if anyone put those 20 ahead of him I wouldn't say they were "insane".
You can also make an argument (not necessarily pick) for van Dijk, he's definitely in the conversation. Rodri probably lacks a bit in terms of longevity but his peak is up there with Keane and Vieira (and Kanté but he also peaked for a relatively short period) if we compare him to other more defensive-oriented (feels like a non-ideal term) central midfielders.I agree with this.
When trying to come up with a PL all-time XI, there are only two players who peaked later than 2010 who makes the team; Salah and De Bruyne. I guess you could also make an argument for Walker over Neville.
You can also make an argument (not necessarily pick) for van Dijk, he's definitely in the conversation. Rodri probably lacks a bit in terms of longevity but his peak is up there with Keane and Vieira (and Kanté but he also peaked for a relatively short period) if we compare him to other more defensive-oriented (feels like a non-ideal term) central midfielders.
As always depends on the criteria. I would say Gerrard is the closest in terms of profile and how they played and I’d say KDB is better than him. Scholes is hard to judge because he was a striker who then moved backwards until he became the base of the midfield which is a role KDB couldn’t play at a good level. Lampard I think most agree was not at the level of the others.Unpopular opinion possibly but I think he's better than all 3 of those.
Rodri has won more leagues than Vieira ever won now, won a Ballon d’Or and a Champions League which Vieira never got that close to. 5 seasons is not insignificant (not counting this one through injury). Cantona only played 5 seasons for United for example.They are definitely in the conversation, but it's a short conversation for me. I rate all of them very highly, but they are not getting in over the likes of Keane, Vieira, Scholes, Rio and Terry.
They are definitely in the conversation, but it's a short conversation for me. I rate all of them very highly, but they are not getting in over the likes of Keane, Vieira, Scholes, Rio and Terry.
This would be my team:
Schmeichel
Walker - Rio - Terry - Cole
Scholes - Keane
Salah - De Bruyne - Henry
Rooney
Irwin, Viera and Shearer just barely missing out. I also had Ronaldo there before this season, but Salah surpassed him this season.
Good team tbf.They are definitely in the conversation, but it's a short conversation for me. I rate all of them very highly, but they are not getting in over the likes of Keane, Vieira, Scholes, Rio and Terry.
This would be my team:
Schmeichel
Walker - Rio - Terry - Cole
Scholes - Keane
Salah - De Bruyne - Henry
Rooney
Irwin, Viera and Shearer just barely missing out. I also had Ronaldo there before this season, but Salah surpassed him this season.
They are definitely in the conversation, but it's a short conversation for me. I rate all of them very highly, but they are not getting in over the likes of Keane, Vieira, Scholes, Rio and Terry.
This would be my team:
Schmeichel
Walker - Rio - Terry - Cole
Scholes - Keane
Salah - De Bruyne - Henry
Rooney
Irwin, Viera and Shearer just barely missing out. I also had Ronaldo there before this season, but Salah surpassed him this season.
Feck KDB. Been at City twice as long as Cantona was at Utd has only played 100 games more in the PL.
Same amount of goals scored and only has about 50 more assists.
Oops, I forgot to add Cantona in the "barely missing out category".
De Bruyne: 278 G/A (0.679 per appearance)
Cantona: 144 G/A (0.778 per appearance)
Yeah, Cantona was more productive but he joined us in his early prime and retired in his late prime (31 years old). As a result he never really had the chance to "turn cold".
De Bruyne has delivered Cantona-esque numbers for 9 seasons for City. This is his 10th season and now the numbers are not so good, but that's not strange when you take everything into consideration.
Overall a better player than KDB in my opinion.
The fact that City are less dependant on KdB than United were on Cantona/Keane doesn't automatically make Cantona/Keane better players. Especially Keane I definitely wouldn't compare with KDB, it's such a different profile of a player.Wasn't he injured for most of a season and City still won the league.
Contrast that with when Cantona was suspended or when Keane was injured.
Don't think many non-United fans would put Cantona ahead of KdB. But that's the privilege of being a fan - nothing wrong with being a bit biasedCantona delivered for 5 years straight, give or take a few months out.
Overall a better player than KDB in my opinion.
Wasn't he injured for most of a season and City still won the league.
Contrast that with when Cantona was suspended or when Keane was injured.
That's a fair opinion and I'm that far from agreeing with you, mainly because of Cantona's larger than life personality.
I also think longevity is important. 4 additional years of that level of brilliance matters a lot to me.
Wasn't he injured for most of a season and City still won the league.
Contrast that with when Cantona was suspended or when Keane was injured.
United were one goal away from winning in 1994/95 tbf.Wasn't he injured for most of a season and City still won the league.
Contrast that with when Cantona was suspended or when Keane was injured.
He was also quick enough back in 2016-2020 or so for a CAM and had quite an engine on him, would get involved defensively and drive at defences in a way that was more like box to box mids than number 10s like Ozil or Silva, while still maintaining the same levels of creativity.Other players have had similar or better passing ability (Ozil, Silva) but none have had the amazing shooting ability De Bruyne had, that's what elevated him above his peers in the CAM position He was not only one of the best passers in the world but also had one of the best shooting techniques, with either foot. The only CAM I would consider close to Ineista, who himself some might say is elevated because of his big game performances rather than regular play.
There's this guy on twiiter who posts videos of goals with the video scrambled so you have to guess the scorer, and the compilation of De Bruyne's goals would better than most players ever.
I know this is a United forum but Cantona over De Bruyne is outrageous and you should be embarrassed.If you're going 4231 that no.10 role goes to Cantona.
I know this is a United forum but Cantona over De Bruyne is outrageous and you should be embarrassed.
I know this is a United forum but Cantona over De Bruyne is outrageous and you should be embarrassed.
