The Impossible Draft

Volodymyr Bezsonov

Enigma: (1) Zico (2) G. Batistuta (3) P. Nedvěd (4) D. Santos (5) A. Shesternyov

P-Nut0712: (1) F. Puskas (2) L. Yashin (3) J. Tigana (4) J. Charles (5) B. Bremner

Gio: (1) P. R. Falcão (2) Z.Zidane (3) Z. Czibor (4) L. Kubala (5) A. Brehme

Charly: (1) D. Džajić (2) S.Kocsis (3) A. Nesta (4) W. Van Hanegem (5) A. Demyanenko

Pat Mustard: (1) Romario (2) J. Bozsik (3) G. Facchetti (4) D. Edwards (5) D. Godin (6) V. Bezsonov

Brwned: (1) B. Moore (2) G. Meazza (3) M. Coluna (4) I. Netto (5) Amoros (6) Julinho

2mufc0: (1) G. Scirea (2) R. Gullit (3) O. Varela (4) L. Junior (5) G. Nordahl (6) Zizinho

MJJ: (1) R. Baggio (2) G. Lato (3) Hidegkuti (4) S. Marzolini (5) E. Ocwirk (6) L. Monti

Tuppet: (1) D. Passarella (2) J. Masopust (3) O. Blokhin (4) L. Riva (5) K. H. Schnillenger (6) T. Finney

Prath92: (1) B. Robson (2) V. Voronin (3) D. Bergkamp (4) J. Zanetti (5) O. Ruggeri (6) M. Bossis

Ecstatic: (1) U. Seeler (2) N. Santos (3) L. Figo (4) Neymar (5) G. Bergomi (6) D. McGrain

Indnyc: (1) L. Thuram (2) R. Krol (3) D. Da Guia 4) A. Pedernera (5) J. Fontaine (6) E. Cantona

Sjor / Jim Beam: (1) B. Charlton (2) H. Chumpitaz (3) H. Stoichkov (4) P. Elkjaer (5) B. Schuster (6) B. Vogts

Idmanager: (1) F. Gento (2) S. Matthews (3) M. Tresor (4) K.H. Forster (5) E. Davids (6) T. Cubillas

Skizzo: (1) Sócrates (2) P. McGrath (3) M. Sammer (4) C. A. Torres (5) R. Van Nistelrooy (6) J. M. Moreno

Moby: (1) R. Keane (2) J. Neeskens (3) Rivelino (4) Jairzinho (5) J. Bican (6) E. Francescoli

@Charly
 
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Enigma: (1) Zico (2) G. Batistuta (3) P. Nedvěd (4) D. Santos (5) A. Shesternyov

P-Nut0712: (1) F. Puskas (2) L. Yashin (3) J. Tigana (4) J. Charles (5) B. Bremner

Gio: (1) P. R. Falcão (2) Z.Zidane (3) Z. Czibor (4) L. Kubala (5) A. Brehme

Charly: (1) D. Džajić (2) S.Kocsis (3) A. Nesta (4) W. Van Hanegem (5) A. Demyanenko (6). R. Dasaev

Pat Mustard: (1) Romario (2) J. Bozsik (3) G. Facchetti (4) D. Edwards (5) D. Godin (6) V. Bezsonov

Brwned: (1) B. Moore (2) G. Meazza (3) M. Coluna (4) I. Netto (5) Amoros (6) Julinho

2mufc0: (1) G. Scirea (2) R. Gullit (3) O. Varela (4) L. Junior (5) G. Nordahl (6) Zizinho

MJJ: (1) R. Baggio (2) G. Lato (3) Hidegkuti (4) S. Marzolini (5) E. Ocwirk (6) L. Monti

Tuppet: (1) D. Passarella (2) J. Masopust (3) O. Blokhin (4) L. Riva (5) K. H. Schnillenger (6) T. Finney

Prath92: (1) B. Robson (2) V. Voronin (3) D. Bergkamp (4) J. Zanetti (5) O. Ruggeri (6) M. Bossis

Ecstatic: (1) U. Seeler (2) N. Santos (3) L. Figo (4) Neymar (5) G. Bergomi (6) D. McGrain

Indnyc: (1) L. Thuram (2) R. Krol (3) D. Da Guia 4) A. Pedernera (5) J. Fontaine (6) E. Cantona

Sjor / Jim Beam: (1) B. Charlton (2) H. Chumpitaz (3) H. Stoichkov (4) P. Elkjaer (5) B. Schuster (6) B. Vogts

Idmanager: (1) F. Gento (2) S. Matthews (3) M. Tresor (4) K.H. Forster (5) E. Davids (6) T. Cubillas

Skizzo: (1) Sócrates (2) P. McGrath (3) M. Sammer (4) C. A. Torres (5) R. Van Nistelrooy (6) J. M. Moreno

Moby: (1) R. Keane (2) J. Neeskens (3) Rivelino (4) Jairzinho (5) J. Bican (6) E. Francescoli

@Gio
 
Enigma: (1) Zico (2) G. Batistuta (3) P. Nedvěd (4) D. Santos (5) A. Shesternyov

P-Nut0712: (1) F. Puskas (2) L. Yashin (3) J. Tigana (4) J. Charles (5) B. Bremner

Gio: (1) P. R. Falcão (2) Z. Zidane (3) Z. Czibor (4) L. Kubala (5) A. Brehme

Charly: (1) D. Džajić (2) S. Kocsis (3) A. Nesta (4) W. van Hanegem (5) A. Demyanenko (6). R. Dasayev

Pat Mustard: (1) Romario (2) J. Bozsik (3) G. Facchetti (4) D. Edwards (5) D. Godin (6) V. Bezsonov

Brwned: (1) B. Moore (2) G. Meazza (3) M. Coluna (4) I. Netto (5) M. Amoros (6) Julinho

2mufc0: (1) G. Scirea (2) R. Gullit (3) O. Varela (4) L. Junior (5) G. Nordahl (6) Zizinho

MJJ: (1) R. Baggio (2) G. Lato (3) N. Hidegkuti (4) S. Marzolini (5) E. Ocwirk (6) L. Monti

Tuppet: (1) D. Passarella (2) J. Masopust (3) O. Blokhin (4) L. Riva (5) K. H. Schnellinger (6) T. Finney

Prath92: (1) B. Robson (2) V. Voronin (3) D. Bergkamp (4) J. Zanetti (5) O. Ruggeri (6) M. Bossis

Ecstatic: (1) U. Seeler (2) N. Santos (3) L. Figo (4) Neymar (5) G. Bergomi (6) D. McGrain

Indnyc: (1) L. Thuram (2) R. Krol (3) D. Da Guia 4) A. Pedernera (5) J. Fontaine (6) E. Cantona

Sjor / Jim Beam: (1) B. Charlton (2) H. Chumpitaz (3) H. Stoichkov (4) P. Elkjaer (5) B. Schuster (6) B. Vogts

Idmanager: (1) F. Gento (2) S. Matthews (3) M. Tresor (4) K.H. Forster (5) E. Davids (6) T. Cubillas

Skizzo: (1) Sócrates (2) P. McGrath (3) M. Sammer (4) C. A. Torres (5) R. Van Nistelrooy (6) J. M. Moreno

Moby: (1) R. Keane (2) J. Neeskens (3) Rivellino (4) Jairzinho (5) J. Bican (6) E. Francescoli

@Gio use this one — edited some spelling mistakes
 
The rounds 5-6-7 were, are and will be heartbreaking
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Cool with me too.

The idea that a player can be French and North American is totally ridiculous.

:lol: You can imagine our typical discussions:

- 'Let's be honest, Tresor is arguably the greatest North-American player in the history of the beautiful game given his performances with France at the WC 82'
- Marius Tresor, himself, would intervene and say 'Sad to learn I am not a true French because I'm black'

The funny thing is it is technically possible to have 11 guys who played for the France NT in a draft supposed to promote diversity with the rule a maximum of 6 players per continent'

After all, laws are made to be bypassed, no?
 

Expect a lot more European heartbreak to come! I'd imagine the average lineup will be 6 Europeans, 3 South Americans, 2 others. At this end of the draft only Enigma has more than one South American so whoever you have in mind now, I reckon he'll be gone long before it's your go!

The South American picks are a lot harder than expected, for reasons I haven't really gotten my head around yet. I think it just shows how much our opinions of South Americans rest almost entirely on their success in the big two. The Nedved's of that part of the world barely seem to register over here.

The other dimension is with the old folks - do you waste a European pick on them, relying on their much stronger reputation to at least carry some weight...or do you just accept that anything pre-50s counts for nil and use it on a South American? I think that's the toughest one...

I had that with Moreno but fully expected him to be taken. Did not expect Zizinho to be snatched at the last minute :(:(:(
 
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Check out that VMO development :drool: @Moby

Enigma: (1) Zico (2) G. Batistuta (3) P. Nedvěd (4) D. Santos (5) A. Shesternyov

P-Nut0712: (1) F. Puskas (2) L. Yashin (3) J. Tigana (4) J. Charles (5) B. Bremner

Gio: (1) P. R. Falcão (2) Z. Zidane (3) Z. Czibor (4) L. Kubala (5) A. Brehme (6) N. Gonçalves

Charly: (1) D. Džajić (2) S. Kocsis (3) A. Nesta (4) W. van Hanegem (5) A. Demyanenko (6). R. Dasayev

Pat Mustard: (1) Romario (2) J. Bozsik (3) G. Facchetti (4) D. Edwards (5) D. Godin (6) V. Bezsonov

Brwned: (1) B. Moore (2) G. Meazza (3) M. Coluna (4) I. Netto (5) M. Amoros (6) Julinho

2mufc0: (1) G. Scirea (2) R. Gullit (3) O. Varela (4) L. Junior (5) G. Nordahl (6) Zizinho

MJJ: (1) R. Baggio (2) G. Lato (3) N. Hidegkuti (4) S. Marzolini (5) E. Ocwirk (6) L. Monti

Tuppet: (1) D. Passarella (2) J. Masopust (3) O. Blokhin (4) L. Riva (5) K. H. Schnellinger (6) T. Finney

Prath92: (1) B. Robson (2) V. Voronin (3) D. Bergkamp (4) J. Zanetti (5) O. Ruggeri (6) M. Bossis

Ecstatic: (1) U. Seeler (2) N. Santos (3) L. Figo (4) Neymar (5) G. Bergomi (6) D. McGrain

Indnyc: (1) L. Thuram (2) R. Krol (3) D. Da Guia 4) A. Pedernera (5) J. Fontaine (6) E. Cantona

Sjor / Jim Beam: (1) B. Charlton (2) H. Chumpitaz (3) H. Stoichkov (4) P. Elkjaer (5) B. Schuster (6) B. Vogts

Idmanager: (1) F. Gento (2) S. Matthews (3) M. Tresor (4) K.H. Forster (5) E. Davids (6) T. Cubillas

Skizzo: (1) Sócrates (2) P. McGrath (3) M. Sammer (4) C. A. Torres (5) R. Van Nistelrooy (6) J. M. Moreno

Moby: (1) R. Keane (2) J. Neeskens (3) Rivellino (4) Jairzinho (5) J. Bican (6) E. Francescoli

@P-Nut0712
 
Expect a lot more European heartbreak to come! I'd imagine the average lineup will be 6 Europeans, 3 South Americans, 2 others. At this end of the draft only Enigma has more than one South American so whoever you have in mind now, I reckon he'll be gone long before it's your go!

The South American picks are a lot harder than expected, for reasons I haven't really gotten my head around yet. I think it just shows how much our opinions of South Americans rest almost entirely on their success in the big two. The Nedved's of that part of the world barely seem to register over here.

The other dimension is with the old folks - do you waste a European pick on them, relying on their much stronger reputation to at least carry some weight...or do you just accept that anything pre-50s counts for nil and use it on a South American? I think that's the toughest one...

I had that with Moreno but fully expected him to be taken. Did not expect Zizinho to be snatched at the last minute :(:(:(

Yeah, in hindsight we really shoot ourself in the leg with that Charlton pick. For some bizzare reason people dont like Bobby in possession based systems so we had to take different route, route that doesnt really suit most of the south americans so that criteria is really pain in the arse.
 
Yeah, in hindsight we really shoot ourself in the leg with that Charlton pick. For some bizzare reason people dont like Bobby in possession based systems so we had to take different route, route that doesnt really suit most of the south americans so that criteria is really pain in the arse.

It's a tough balancing act for sure, but as far as I'm concerned Charlton's the best player in the draft and you've got him surrounded with a supply of creativity and explosiveness which any team will struggle to handle. I wouldn't worry too much about that last piece!
 
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World cup themed pick!

Enigma:
(1) Zico (2) G. Batistuta (3) P. Nedvěd (4) D. Santos (5) A. Shesternyov

P-Nut0712: (1) F. Puskas (2) L. Yashin (3) J. Tigana (4) J. Charles (5) B. Bremner (6) J. Barnes

Gio: (1) P. R. Falcão (2) Z. Zidane (3) Z. Czibor (4) L. Kubala (5) A. Brehme (6) N. Gonçalves

Charly: (1) D. Džajić (2) S. Kocsis (3) A. Nesta (4) W. van Hanegem (5) A. Demyanenko (6). R. Dasayev

Pat Mustard: (1) Romario (2) J. Bozsik (3) G. Facchetti (4) D. Edwards (5) D. Godin (6) V. Bezsonov

Brwned: (1) B. Moore (2) G. Meazza (3) M. Coluna (4) I. Netto (5) M. Amoros (6) Julinho

2mufc0: (1) G. Scirea (2) R. Gullit (3) O. Varela (4) L. Junior (5) G. Nordahl (6) Zizinho

MJJ: (1) R. Baggio (2) G. Lato (3) N. Hidegkuti (4) S. Marzolini (5) E. Ocwirk (6) L. Monti

Tuppet: (1) D. Passarella (2) J. Masopust (3) O. Blokhin (4) L. Riva (5) K. H. Schnellinger (6) T. Finney

Prath92: (1) B. Robson (2) V. Voronin (3) D. Bergkamp (4) J. Zanetti (5) O. Ruggeri (6) M. Bossis

Ecstatic: (1) U. Seeler (2) N. Santos (3) L. Figo (4) Neymar (5) G. Bergomi (6) D. McGrain

Indnyc: (1) L. Thuram (2) R. Krol (3) D. Da Guia 4) A. Pedernera (5) J. Fontaine (6) E. Cantona

Sjor / Jim Beam: (1) B. Charlton (2) H. Chumpitaz (3) H. Stoichkov (4) P. Elkjaer (5) B. Schuster (6) B. Vogts

Idmanager: (1) F. Gento (2) S. Matthews (3) M. Tresor (4) K.H. Forster (5) E. Davids (6) T. Cubillas

Skizzo: (1) Sócrates (2) P. McGrath (3) M. Sammer (4) C. A. Torres (5) R. Van Nistelrooy (6) J. M. Moreno

Moby: (1) R. Keane (2) J. Neeskens (3) Rivellino (4) Jairzinho (5) J. Bican (6) E. Francescoli

@Enigma_87
 
Yeah, in hindsight we really shoot ourself in the leg with that Charlton pick. For some bizzare reason people dont like Bobby in possession based systems so we had to take different route, route that doesnt really suit most of the south americans so that criteria is really pain in the arse.

I think tactically Sir Bobby offers enough versatality.

The problem in the draft's context is that he occupies both a WC and European Cup slot.

I personally wouldn't have picked him or Scirea as I would have thought all through the draft if I had made a mistake :lol:

Of couse you guys and 2mufc0 have made it look worth it.
 

Enigma:
(1) Zico (2) G. Batistuta (3) P. Nedvěd (4) D. Santos (5) A. Shesternyov (6) José Santamaría (7) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

P-Nut0712: (1) F. Puskas (2) L. Yashin (3) J. Tigana (4) J. Charles (5) B. Bremner (6) J. Barnes

Gio: (1) P. R. Falcão (2) Z. Zidane (3) Z. Czibor (4) L. Kubala (5) A. Brehme (6) N. Gonçalves

Charly: (1) D. Džajić (2) S. Kocsis (3) A. Nesta (4) W. van Hanegem (5) A. Demyanenko (6). R. Dasayev

Pat Mustard: (1) Romario (2) J. Bozsik (3) G. Facchetti (4) D. Edwards (5) D. Godin (6) V. Bezsonov

Brwned: (1) B. Moore (2) G. Meazza (3) M. Coluna (4) I. Netto (5) M. Amoros (6) Julinho

2mufc0: (1) G. Scirea (2) R. Gullit (3) O. Varela (4) L. Junior (5) G. Nordahl (6) Zizinho

MJJ: (1) R. Baggio (2) G. Lato (3) N. Hidegkuti (4) S. Marzolini (5) E. Ocwirk (6) L. Monti

Tuppet: (1) D. Passarella (2) J. Masopust (3) O. Blokhin (4) L. Riva (5) K. H. Schnellinger (6) T. Finney

Prath92: (1) B. Robson (2) V. Voronin (3) D. Bergkamp (4) J. Zanetti (5) O. Ruggeri (6) M. Bossis

Ecstatic: (1) U. Seeler (2) N. Santos (3) L. Figo (4) Neymar (5) G. Bergomi (6) D. McGrain

Indnyc: (1) L. Thuram (2) R. Krol (3) D. Da Guia 4) A. Pedernera (5) J. Fontaine (6) E. Cantona

Sjor / Jim Beam: (1) B. Charlton (2) H. Chumpitaz (3) H. Stoichkov (4) P. Elkjaer (5) B. Schuster (6) B. Vogts

Idmanager: (1) F. Gento (2) S. Matthews (3) M. Tresor (4) K.H. Forster (5) E. Davids (6) T. Cubillas

Skizzo: (1) Sócrates (2) P. McGrath (3) M. Sammer (4) C. A. Torres (5) R. Van Nistelrooy (6) J. M. Moreno

Moby: (1) R. Keane (2) J. Neeskens (3) Rivellino (4) Jairzinho (5) J. Bican (6) E. Francescoli
 
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World cup themed pick!

Enigma:
(1) Zico (2) G. Batistuta (3) P. Nedvěd (4) D. Santos (5) A. Shesternyov (6) Santamaria (7) Kalle

P-Nut0712: (1) F. Puskas (2) L. Yashin (3) J. Tigana (4) J. Charles (5) B. Bremner (6) J. Barnes (7) M. Ramos

Gio: (1) P. R. Falcão (2) Z. Zidane (3) Z. Czibor (4) L. Kubala (5) A. Brehme (6) N. Gonçalves

Charly: (1) D. Džajić (2) S. Kocsis (3) A. Nesta (4) W. van Hanegem (5) A. Demyanenko (6). R. Dasayev

Pat Mustard: (1) Romario (2) J. Bozsik (3) G. Facchetti (4) D. Edwards (5) D. Godin (6) V. Bezsonov

Brwned: (1) B. Moore (2) G. Meazza (3) M. Coluna (4) I. Netto (5) M. Amoros (6) Julinho

2mufc0: (1) G. Scirea (2) R. Gullit (3) O. Varela (4) L. Junior (5) G. Nordahl (6) Zizinho

MJJ: (1) R. Baggio (2) G. Lato (3) N. Hidegkuti (4) S. Marzolini (5) E. Ocwirk (6) L. Monti

Tuppet: (1) D. Passarella (2) J. Masopust (3) O. Blokhin (4) L. Riva (5) K. H. Schnellinger (6) T. Finney

Prath92: (1) B. Robson (2) V. Voronin (3) D. Bergkamp (4) J. Zanetti (5) O. Ruggeri (6) M. Bossis

Ecstatic: (1) U. Seeler (2) N. Santos (3) L. Figo (4) Neymar (5) G. Bergomi (6) D. McGrain

Indnyc: (1) L. Thuram (2) R. Krol (3) D. Da Guia 4) A. Pedernera (5) J. Fontaine (6) E. Cantona

Sjor / Jim Beam: (1) B. Charlton (2) H. Chumpitaz (3) H. Stoichkov (4) P. Elkjaer (5) B. Schuster (6) B. Vogts

Idmanager: (1) F. Gento (2) S. Matthews (3) M. Tresor (4) K.H. Forster (5) E. Davids (6) T. Cubillas

Skizzo: (1) Sócrates (2) P. McGrath (3) M. Sammer (4) C. A. Torres (5) R. Van Nistelrooy (6) J. M. Moreno

Moby: (1) R. Keane (2) J. Neeskens (3) Rivellino (4) Jairzinho (5) J. Bican (6) E. Francescoli

@Gio
 
If i had to choose the best id probably go with Puskas but IMO there is no standout player in the pool.....you have 5, 6 that are in the same tier, likes of Puskas, Zico, Scirea, Nesta etc.
 
Zico, without a shadow of a doubt, as far as I'm concerned.

I think his reputation has grown a lot on here over the years. I wouldn't put clear daylight between Puskas and Charlton but I would between those two and Zico, personally. What's your take on his performances in '78?
 
Best player in terms of peak hasn’t been picked in my opinion.

Overall I’d probably go with Puskas, with him Romário/Zico/Zidane/Charlton all in a similar tier.
 
Keep bugging up Puskás lads :drool:
 
I think his reputation has grown a lot on here over the years. I wouldn't put clear daylight between Puskas and Charlton but I would between those two and Zico, personally. What's your take on his performances in '78?
It's actually his club career I rate higher than Charlton.
 
Best player in terms of peak hasn’t been picked in my opinion.

Overall I’d probably go with Puskas, with him Romário/Zico/Zidane/Charlton all in a similar tier.

Doesn't really mean much IMO. Djokovic at his best is comparable to pretty much anyone but he's demonstrated over the past couple of years the most difficult thing in sport, and the most valuable thing, is maintaining that level for years. Dazzling for a few years makes an impression on us but it doesn't hold up to much scrutiny.

It's actually his club career I rate higher than Charlton.

Entirely reasonable. Still, I'm curious to hear your take on Zico in '78 (or '86). You can say '82 was a tragedy but I think it's harder to explain away the others.
 
Zico credentials IMO “suffer” for two reasons.
1. He didn’t win that 82 WC
2. His love for Flamengo prevented him from building a legacy in Europe and the power was shifting since the mid late 70’s to Europe rather than SA.

I’m terms of individual qualities IMO there are only the GOATs before him. And makes sense since I’ve picked him first :)

Even in 82 he was head and shoulders above anyone else and was tearing the tournament apart with what was it 4 goals and 4 assists?

That Brazil team was great to watch but was far from the talent they had in the 50’s, 60’s and early 70s.

At club level he was also phenomenal.

Even in Italy for season and a half he netted 19 goals (just one off Platini in his pump and in that fantastic Juve team) playing for a mid to relegation battling side.

Puskas, Sir Bobby and Zico are in the same tier but personally I’d choose Zico.
 
Doesn't really mean much IMO. Djokovic at his best is comparable to pretty much anyone but he's demonstrated over the past couple of years the most difficult thing in sport, and the most valuable thing, is maintaining that level for years. Dazzling for a few years makes an impression on us but it doesn't hold up to much scrutiny.

That’s an interesting comparison, not sure I agree entirely but I know what you’re saying. I think ultimately it’s just a measurement of different things, maybe ‘peak’ vs overall ‘greatness’. They’re both valuable metrics imo so wouldn’t say it’s meaningless.

I do agree there’s a deserved extra level of appreciation for sportsmen who maintain world class levels for a significant period of time - and it certainly creates more of an overall ‘legacy’ that those with shorter careers.
 
I don’t think Zico’s credentials suffer at all really. Seems fairly rated by most people.

I think Romário gets underrated more often than Zico. Probably Charlton as well (like most British footballers).
 
I don’t think Zico’s credentials suffer at all really. Seems fairly rated by most people.

I think Romário gets underrated more often than Zico. Probably Charlton as well (like most British footballers).
If he won that WC IMO he’d entered that GOAT tier and he’d be talked in the same breath as Cruyff if not better for some.

I think we had that argument with @Gio before and from memory he even rated him at the same level even now.
 
I think his reputation has grown a lot on here over the years. I wouldn't put clear daylight between Puskas and Charlton but I would between those two and Zico, personally. What's your take on his performances in '78?

What's your take on Charlton's perforamnces in 1962?

iirc England was a bit shite and Charlton was not impressive ;)
 
If he won that WC IMO he’d entered that GOAT tier and he’d be talked in the same breath as Cruyff if not better for some.

I think we had that argument with @Gio before and from memory he even rated him at the same level even now.

I wouldn’t ever rate him at Cruyff level, that’s definitely a tier above imo just due to the level of influence and dominance Cruyff exerted on games (both teammates and opposition).

If Zico won that World Cup it would definitely add to his legacy, but you can say that about a lot of players imo. And let’s not forget it’s not as if they lost a final and he was really close to getting that accolade, Brazil didn’t make the semis so Zico was some way off in terms adding a World Cup to his name.
 
Btw, there was a late night 1954 WC highlights show on my TV last night. Excellent quality of footage with great back stories of games and players. Wonder where they get that footage from. I had never seen a 1954 WC video of that quality
 
What's your take on Charlton's perforamnces in 1962?

iirc England was a bit shite and Charlton was not impressive ;)

I would actually draw more of a comparison to Zico in '86 here. Clearly one of the better players in a not very impressive team. Zico in '78 for me is a story that none of the other elite players really have, and I don't think it's one I've ever seen a convincing explanation for. He has a lot of excuses put forward for him.
 
Entirely reasonable. Still, I'm curious to hear your take on Zico in '78 (or '86). You can say '82 was a tragedy but I think it's harder to explain away the others.

Also, he was injured in 86. He never should have even been taken to that Cup
 
I wouldn’t ever rate him at Cruyff level, that’s definitely a tier above imo just due to the level of influence and dominance Cruyff exerted on games (both teammates and opposition).

If Zico won that World Cup it would definitely add to his legacy, but you can say that about a lot of players imo. And let’s not forget it’s not as if they lost a final and he was really close to getting that accolade, Brazil didn’t make the semis so Zico was some way off in terms adding a World Cup to his name.
Yeah to me also Cruyff is level above but talent wise few can compare to Zico really.

I’m not so sure about the part with the teammates tho as many including Socrates referred to Zico as being God in pitch and was really elevated by his team mates (as well as him elevating their game when on the pitch).