Bale was one of the top 3-4 players in the world in his prime between 2012 and 2018. To even suggest he was overrated is absurd. The PL isn't the be all and end all of football. He was top class for Madrid for years and single handedly fired Wales to the Euros semi-final in 2016. That's how good he was.
Overrated Players
- Thread starter JSArsenal
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Bale was one of the top 3-4 players in the world in his prime between 2012 and 2018. To even suggest he was overrated is absurd. The PL isn't the be all and end all of football. He was top class for Madrid for years and single handedly fired Wales to the Euros semi-final in 2016. That's how good he was.
Yeah I said he was the 2nd or 3rd best player on that list at his peak behind Cristiano.
He wasn’t perfect, Madrid looked better at times in his late peak with Isco who gave the ball away less and helped them have 4 in the midfield for more control. Bonus points for being great from RW, where it’s tougher to find a very good player (though Salah gets those too).
Conversely, like Cristiano, his aerial prowess meant he was probably a bit less effected than Messi or Salah by playing in games/tournaments where his team was on the back foot and couldn’t reliably get the ball to the best players’ feet in attacking positions.
Controversy eh???
Why though? Did people simply forget that he was one of the best goalkeepers in the world for at least 5 years?
Again we go back to general consensus. Practically no one thinks that De Gea is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. He's considered far below the likes Schmeichel, Buffon and Neuer. But unless recency bias and few big trophies completely distorts the narrative, then he should be remembered as a great goalkeeper. And if not, then he will officially enter my "underrated" category
I don’t think anyone disputes he was great for a period but there were people saying he was the best in the world which I don’t think he’s ever been close to.Why though? Did people simply forget that he was one of the best goalkeepers in the world for at least 5 years?
Again we go back to general consensus. Practically no one thinks that De Gea is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. He's considered far below the likes Schmeichel, Buffon and Neuer. But unless recency bias and few big trophies completely distorts the narrative, then he should be remembered as a great goalkeeper. And if not, then he will officially enter my "underrated" category
Matt Le Tissier, Kaka and David Platt.
You're correct, the overrating of him goes back a long time as he's never been anywhere near the levels of the top goalkeepers in the world. He needs far too much protection to be in those conversations - hence his best football tending to come in United sides that defend deep.
"A period" is underselling it. More like half a decade.
Sure, but these are still niche opinions. I bet you'll also find some scousers who think that Henderson is a better player than Keane ever was.
And for what it's worth: from the start of 2013 until the middle of 2018, DDG was often deservedly considered the 2nd best goalkeeper in the world. But when you look at who the number one was(Neuer), then it becomes clear that he was never really close to earning the "best in the world" description.
Nah he was never in the top 3-4 players in the world in his whole career. His best ever placing in the Ballon d’Or was 6th, then 9th, his only two times in the top 10.
Not really, you defined the timeframe and I agree. I disagree re Henderson/Keane - the majority of their fan base know how good Keane was and accept it. It’s not really a close comparison - if you said Keane/Gerrard that would make more sense.
Using Henderson is downplaying DDG a bit - I rate Henderson as a vital part of that Pool midfield (maybe less so now he’s a bit older) but there are are many players at his level and I can’t see him ever being picked as one of the absolute best in his position in the world. DDG I’d say was definitely in the top 5 GKs in world football during that period, he was obviously helped that football was much less focused on sweeper keepers then of course but still.
People suggesting Bale is overrated? Bruh. At his peak he was completely unplayable.
Well 6th behind who? The 2016 award ceremony was loaded with strikers/offensive midfielders who had career seasons. Ronaldo, Messi, Griezmann, Suarez, Neymar. Then Bale. Thats not excactly poor company to keep.
But that’s the point, he was never better than those players, maybe level with Griezmann. He was never top 3-4 in the world then.
Spain and Barca fell off when Xavi was still the key man in their midfield because oppo teams figured out how to play against them (high energy counterpressing). Xavi was getting dominated when Bayern were beating Barca 7-0 on aggregate and when Spain were very fortunate in only getting beaten 5-1 by Holland. He rose to prominence because of a perfect system and got found out (to a degree- still a fine player) when teams finally sussed the system out.
Can you point to a single instance where PSG got knocked out and Verratti wasn't excellent in spite of it? That's my point- Verratti shines even amidst the madness whereas Xavi was never regarded as a great player until he found himself in a perfect system at the perfect time.
Carrick - overrated by utd fans, underrated by others.
Bergkamp - silky, good on the ball but one of the best pl players ever ? Give me a break.
Alisson - already talked about one of the best pl keepers ever. Really ?
Firmino - world’s best defensive striker.
Puyol - Brave, good leader and a pro but never a commanding defender.
Son - Very good , not world class
Sterling - Never world class
Bergkamp - silky, good on the ball but one of the best pl players ever ? Give me a break.
Alisson - already talked about one of the best pl keepers ever. Really ?
Firmino - world’s best defensive striker.
Puyol - Brave, good leader and a pro but never a commanding defender.
Son - Very good , not world class
Sterling - Never world class
I actually really agree with Kaka. Never seen the sensational ballon dor esqe levels he was associated with
Other than football being faster and more athletic I don’t think it changed that much. Same pitch, same ball, same rules. It’s football. But the emphasis on discipline and athleticism is less entertaining for me. The same was said already 20 years ago and then suddenly there was Messi, he proved football in essence was still the same as it was in the post war days.
I have no doubt other players will arrive that will make me excited again. It is said that Antony is a magnificent unpredictable player, so fingers crossed.
The majority of this thread is an absolute shambles in my opinion. So many people naming great players and saying they are overrated which seems strange.
When I think of overrated players it's more along the lines of Depay, Maguire, Carroll, Walcott, Richarlison etc.
At a higher level there is probably good argument for the likes of Dembele, Griezmann, Dybala. These three are all quite talented but regularly deliver way below what's expected of their supposed ability and command huge fees and hype so I think it's fair to say they are probably a bit overrated despite their skill level. Pogba probably fits in this bracket as well.
When I think of overrated players it's more along the lines of Depay, Maguire, Carroll, Walcott, Richarlison etc.
At a higher level there is probably good argument for the likes of Dembele, Griezmann, Dybala. These three are all quite talented but regularly deliver way below what's expected of their supposed ability and command huge fees and hype so I think it's fair to say they are probably a bit overrated despite their skill level. Pogba probably fits in this bracket as well.
Name three players in the history of football who wouldn't.....
He did score 2 goals in that WC final, so it's kind of irrelevant what would happen if he didn't perform on the biggest stage in football, because he did. Messi wouldn't have won his 7th B d'or without the Copa win either. Big games matter. Zinedine did retire directly after the Italy game, so you could say he was over his peak.
Agree with Kaka, bit of a lean time for top top players when he was number one. That said his knee was knackered and his subsequent disappearance at Madrid due to that has effected long term views of him.
But he’s a bit like when Leyton Hewitt was world number 1 in between Sampras and Federer. Very very good, excellent even, but not quite the level he found himself placed.
It’s important to note who is overrating them too. It’s interesting when Carroll or Denilson back in the day go for crazy money.
Would Antony end up in here if he comes to us for 100m?
TAA is the most overrated player I've ever seen. He should be a target every game for any team facing Liverpool. His defending is non-existent.
People in here mentioning that Benzema is overrated, actually shows how massively underrated he is...
Well thats fair, but he was still one of the handful of best players in the world in a year with absolute tremendous talent at their peaks. I think Bale will go down in history as one of those players who achieved way more than people give him credit for when all is said and done
I agree that he's underrated but could you explain how someone saying he's overrated shows that?
Quite some people stating he is overrated shows that he is not rated as much by quite some people.. I interpret as that he is being underrated by them..
So the string of disappointed lovers I've left behind suggests I'm actually quite a good shag
So the string of disappointed lovers I've left behind suggests I'm actually quite a good shag
Well I dont know how you perform in bed so - unlike Benzema's football performances - I dont have a baseline opinion, to evaluate whether to argue whether I agree or not with your dissapointed lovers
From the era of 2nd strikers, he certainly was. Henry said that apart from Messi, Bergkamp was the best he'd ever played with.
Well the players in question didnt have one moment. Infact they are not in the discussion for greatness based on one moment....we are talking of many iconic moments over a season. Kai havertz automatically doesnt qualify. He had only one iconic moment that season. Benzema literally carried madrid to the champions league final and scored so many tie breaking goals in the league and even for france
There are very many goal poachers with great goals per game who are not in the discussion for greatness. Romelu lukaku, Huntelar and even someone like Harry Kane come to mind. They were good...but not greatest of all time. They were just good goal getters...so yes the impact of the goals you score matters the most.
Harry Kane has top scored in the premier league before but Jamie Vady will always be ahead of him because of the impact of his goals. Until Harry Kane wins something major, he will just be another good goal getter.
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Carrick was great, but Bergkamp was a wonderful footballer. Would have loved him here.
I’d put Aguero in the conversation personally… or maybe I’ve overrated him! His record is just outstanding and actually gets better the deeper you dig.. minutes/goal, goals vs top 6, hatricks,. He had it all.
Don't know why so many people equoate "overrated" with "bad." Overrated just means that they're widely believed to be better than they really are/were.
I think Steven Gerrard was rated more highly than was warranted, but he was a very good player.
I think Steven Gerrard was rated more highly than was warranted, but he was a very good player.
I'm not sure people are tbh.
Bale's movement is too slow so he will never become a 30-40 goals per season player.
It's like Pogba vs Bruno. Pogba is more talented and more skilful but Pogba is slower than Bruno so you can always bet on Bruno getting more goals than Pogba over a season.
Gotta laugh at the Arsenal supporter calling Didier Drogba overrated, might have something to do with the fact that he’s always decimated his team.
Scored 13 in 15 matches against them.
Drogba was a fine player, I would have had him in my team over a tidier player like Zlatan any day of the week.
A proper clutch and a big game player was Drogba.
Looks like many people mentioned Carrick, had a couple of very good seasons, a few not so great ones, was poor in 09/10, got absolutely baptized in both CL finals against Barcelona, we got outplayed by teams like Poch’s Southampton with him, could never deal with getting pressed.
I thought his best season was 12/13, and had good runs of forms under LVG as well.
But he was no where near world class at no point in time, I’m not sure if he’s getting anywhere near the top 20 CM’s in PL history.
Zidane, its hard to call him overrated because like Ronaldinho he was a truly magical player and a pleasure to watch, but Iniesta could do anything Zidane could but way more consistently.
Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes, all were fantastic players and its not that the players are overrated but the “who is better” debate is overrated and honestly tiresome at this point, I’ll tell you who is better, De Bruyne is better than all of them.
Scored 13 in 15 matches against them.
Drogba was a fine player, I would have had him in my team over a tidier player like Zlatan any day of the week.
A proper clutch and a big game player was Drogba.
Looks like many people mentioned Carrick, had a couple of very good seasons, a few not so great ones, was poor in 09/10, got absolutely baptized in both CL finals against Barcelona, we got outplayed by teams like Poch’s Southampton with him, could never deal with getting pressed.
I thought his best season was 12/13, and had good runs of forms under LVG as well.
But he was no where near world class at no point in time, I’m not sure if he’s getting anywhere near the top 20 CM’s in PL history.
Zidane, its hard to call him overrated because like Ronaldinho he was a truly magical player and a pleasure to watch, but Iniesta could do anything Zidane could but way more consistently.
Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes, all were fantastic players and its not that the players are overrated but the “who is better” debate is overrated and honestly tiresome at this point, I’ll tell you who is better, De Bruyne is better than all of them.
things is are they highly rated by many people in the 1st place ?
This is a good list
Zidane played in a team with Ronaldo, Raul, Figo, Guti, Roberto Carlos, Beckham and was it easy to identify who the best footballer of the group was. Zizou may not have the numbers of some but his mastery of the game was insane. I do push him higher for the aesthetics as well, a man of his size shouldn't be as graceful and precise as he was , he was magnificent to watch, a great time when he, Ronaldinho, Riqulme and Valeron were all in the same league at the same time, all with their own unique style. Watching creative artists like that will always be more entertaining than the cut and in and shoot spammers that the game evolved towards.
Ousmane Dembele - Total lack of end product, runs like a headless chicken without any aim, yet people put him on the same bracket as M´Bappe... Also perpetually injured. I´m so glad United never went for this crock. Also he has attitude problems.
Our own (Colombian) James Rodriguez - Build his reputation on an amazing Worldcup, on which he shone due to Falcao's missing it, 2 good seasons at Madrird, being average for Bayern and then it quickly went south. He was a good player, Colombia´s best ever together with Falcao (although DIaz probably is going to be better), but media hoverhyped him as a top 10 player in the world which he never was. His lack of discipline condemned a career which should have been way better.
Zlatam - Great stricker with a good career, but disapeared at the bigger stages, and is nowhere near the conversation of top attackers such as Cristiano, Messi, Lewandowski, Suarez, Aguero, Rooney (massively underrated by our own fanbase).
Our own (Colombian) James Rodriguez - Build his reputation on an amazing Worldcup, on which he shone due to Falcao's missing it, 2 good seasons at Madrird, being average for Bayern and then it quickly went south. He was a good player, Colombia´s best ever together with Falcao (although DIaz probably is going to be better), but media hoverhyped him as a top 10 player in the world which he never was. His lack of discipline condemned a career which should have been way better.
Zlatam - Great stricker with a good career, but disapeared at the bigger stages, and is nowhere near the conversation of top attackers such as Cristiano, Messi, Lewandowski, Suarez, Aguero, Rooney (massively underrated by our own fanbase).