The Greatest Ever Attacking Midfielder?

[comme]

These are the options for the attacking midfielder position. I will also have a "forward" poll so if you think there is an outstanding candidate missing then there is a good chance he may be on there.

[comme]

Another point to make is that it is so difficult to classify players such as Di Stefano who played "centre forward" in a 5 man attack. I generally consider those players to have been attacking midfielders.

[lanman]

This is a very difficult one, but because we're using this to build a team I'll give it to Di Stefano over Maradona by a nose.

[tpmazembe]

This is a very difficult one, but because we're using this to build a team I'll give it to Di Stefano over Maradona by a nose.I thought comme's initial post in the GK thread was a straight up vote who was best by position, and not based on an overall composition of a team.

comme? Clarification requested.

In the next few days I'm going to post a series of polls to see who is considered the best player ever in every position, with the aim of creating an all time XI simply on votes, in this team I will be playing a genuine 442, and so avoid the fantasy teams with no defenders that we often see.

[lanman]

I thought comme's initial post in the GK thread was a straight up vote who was best by position, and not based on an overall composition of a team.

comme? Clarification requested.

I only used this as a tie-breaker, I really can't decide between them - If you asked me which was the better player I really couldn't make a final decision.

[dor02]

Sindelar was a centre-forward. Could he adapt to a attacking midfield position? Maybe. Though even if you take out Maradona, Zidane, Platini and Di Stefano, there are players who would adapt into that position better than Sindelar.

[johno]

I went for Di Stefano... very tough decision to make though... very tough, I'd wanted to go Platini and Maradona and I even considered Zidane.

[tpmazembe]

I only used this as a tie-breaker, I really can't decide between them - If you asked me which was the better player I really couldn't make a final decision.Gotcha.

Also, just saw comme's post on the Center-Back. My interpretation of the initial post is not as strict as his actual intent.

[scorpio81]

who's didi? :confused:

[Cassano]

I had to go with Maradona. His talent was just so great, and anyone that can lead a small, southern club like Napoli to a Serie A title is great in my book. Also, even though he wouldn't have won, I think Roberto Baggio shoudl've been on the poll.

[Real Ray]

Fate works against Di Stefano due to his lack of a legacy as an international-I can't give him the nod based on "what if," so I voted for Maradona.

[nicephoras]

Fate works against Di Stefano due to his lack of a legacy as an international-I can't give him the nod based on "what if," so I voted for Maradona.

That is an absolutely inexplicable statement, especially from a Real Madrid fan.

[Real Ray]

That is an absolutely inexplicable statement, especially from a Real Madrid fan.

Sorry, I don't agree. When you take into account the missing part of his resume (World Cup) and then counter that with what Maradona actually did in the World Cup...for me that gives the nod to Maradona. Yes, you can make assumpations about Di Stefano and what he might have done on the WC stage, but he didn't. The line touted by most soccer historians is that only two players can been seen as single handedly "winning" the WC: Garrincha and Maradona. That goes a long way in my book.

And Maradona's Napoli was not the collection of stars that Di Stefano had at his side with Madrid. We've all seen the video of his introduction to the Napoli tifosi-enormous pressure and he delivered in spades. And while Di Stefano's arrival at the Bernabeu was anything but "normal" with the tug-of-war vs Barca, Diego's was equally as crazy in terms of expecations.

Lastly, I saw Maradona; I didn't see Di Stefano. It's a Coke vs Pepsi argument at the end of the day, but I still go with Maradona.

[nicephoras]

Sorry, I don't agree. When you take into account the missing part of his resume (World Cup) and then counter that with what Maradona actually did in the World Cup...for me that gives the nod to Maradona. Yes, you can make assumpations about Di Stefano and what he might have done on the WC stage, but he didn't. The line touted by most soccer historians is that only two players can been seen as single handedly "winning" the WC: Garrincha and Maradona. That goes a long way in my book.

And Maradona's Napoli was not the collection of stars that Di Stefano had at his side with Madrid. We've all seen the video of his introduction to the Napoli tifosi-enormous pressure and he delivered in spades. And while Di Stefano's arrival at the Bernabeu was anything but "normal" with the tug-of-war vs Barca, Diego's was equally as crazy in terms of expecations.
Lastly, I saw Maradona; I didn't see Di Stefano. It's a Coke vs Pepsi argument at the end of the day, but I still go with Maradona.

Your argument assumes that DiStefano and Maradona's club careers are comparable. They are not. Maradona had a phenomenal run at Napoli, but aside from that was not the player he was for Argentina. What did he lead Barcelona to, aside from some fights with Goixkotea and co.? DiStefano's clubs career, meanwhile, is without peer. He displaced Perdenera from the Maquina going on to dominate Argentina with River. His Millionarios were the best team in Colombia and his arrival saw Real Madrid become, well.......Real Madrid. He certainly doesn't have the international "pedigree" that Maradona does, but Maradona can't compare to DiStefano's professional career. If Best had gone on to play another 6 years at his peak, would the argument of "he didn't do much internationally" really be relevant? I don't see why it should be here.

[Real Ray]

Your argument assumes that DiStefano and Maradona's club careers are comparable. They are not.

True, and one reason is clearly due to Di Stefano's greatness. But be fair. Di Stefano played on two of the most historic teams: The Madrid teams and the Ballet Azul.

[nicephoras]

True, and one reason is clearly due to Di Stefano's greatness. But be fair. Di Stefano played on two of the most historic teams: The Madrid teams and the Ballet Azul.

That's deceptive. Real Madrid hadn't won a title for over 20 years before DiStefano arrived and were hardly the club as we think of it today.

[herewego]

I´m missing Netzer, Overath, Fritz Walter.

And I´m wondering, if Pele would better fit here, than under attackers.

[scorpio81]

again, who is didi? somebody? :confused:

[nicephoras]

again, who is didi? somebody? :confused:

Great Brazilian of the 50s. "Played" one year for Real, but apparently couldn't get along with DiStefano (so the legends go). One of the integral pieces to Brazil's 58 win, and played on the 62 side as well.

[Gregoriak]

who's didi? :confused:

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Park/8885/Didi.htm