Best Striker in the World now

[kanonier]

No. Although when you consider the outrageous adulation Drogba received for a merely good season last time around then you could easily make the claim that Adebayor is vastly underrated by most. Nowhere near the best though.


I know, I was mostly being facetious. He's certainly moving up the list though.

[Joelzinho]

Last season yes...but his assists this season are much lower than last season. If he gets both up at the same time that will also help...i think he has 2 or 3 assists in the EPL this season and about 5 in the CL.

He could have more then, a few tap in have been squandered by teamates.

[jpick]

He could have more then, a few tap in have been squandered by teamates.

well, yeah, but that applies to most players, i mean henry, especially early in the season, squandered a lot of iniesta's and messi's passes, and last year, gilardino was where the creative moves of milan went to die, specifically kaka's, yet i don't remember most ronaldo fans giving him the benefit of the doubt cause if gila had played better he would have had a ton more assists, so i don't think we should now switch it and allow for ronaldo to get leeway, let's try and keep it consistent at least from one year to the next and not just use various metrics, especially "what ifs" depending on whether we like the player in discussion or not. ;)

[schafer]

well, yeah, but that applies to most players, i mean henry, especially early in the season, squandered a lot of iniesta's and messi's passes, and last year, gilardino was where the creative moves of milan went to die, specifically kaka's, yet i don't remember most ronaldo fans giving him the benefit of the doubt cause if gila had played better he would have had a ton more assists, so i don't think we should now switch it and allow for ronaldo to get leeway, let's try and keep it consistent at least from one year to the next and not just use various metrics, especially "what ifs" depending on whether we like the player in discussion or not. ;)

If I didn't know better I'd say you sound somewhat bitter;)

[phil80]

well, yeah, but that applies to most players, i mean henry, especially early in the season, squandered a lot of iniesta's and messi's passes, and last year, gilardino was where the creative moves of milan went to die, specifically kaka's, yet i don't remember most ronaldo fans giving him the benefit of the doubt cause if gila had played better he would have had a ton more assists, so i don't think we should now switch it and allow for ronaldo to get leeway, let's try and keep it consistent at least from one year to the next and not just use various metrics, especially "what ifs" depending on whether we like the player in discussion or not. ;)
completely agree, especially about the iniesta and messi part.

[Hendrixforpope]

completely agree, especially about the iniesta and messi part.

Henry (mostly earlier this season) hasn't been the sharpest tool in the shed when I comes to finishing off of great passes :o

[phil80]

Thats what i have been saying all this season, but people still claim he has been one of the best strikers based on this season alone. Part of being a good striker is capitalizing on your chances, and henry has squandered too many easy opportunities (ones that even semi-pro players would put away)

[jpick]

^^^well, why don't you agree with gila part...:p

this year it is a shame cause if pato had played the whole year, or gila had been better, pirlo, who already has 10 assists in all comps, could have had a few more would be on pace to have close to (or over) 20 assists for the year (and that is also without a lot of impressive aerial targets for corners and free kicks as well). that is territory that no other dlpm has even been close to like xavi or xabi alonso or carrick in recent years iirc, not too mention all the crap gila did while on the end of kaka's passes last year. kaka had a lot of passes wasted by him and his numbers could have looked a lot better last year. oh well, he won the golden ball anyways, so i have no complaints. :D


alright, no more gila bashing, he has been important in the last couple of weeks, back to topic at hand. ;)

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Yet which team made it to the final? Who won at the San Siro? It certainly wasn't Ronaldo's team. He won't be truly proven until he wins the whole thing which he was incapable of last season. Doing exceptionally well in the group stage proves nothing.

Achievements and player quality are not mutually exclusive and it is highly ignorant to dismiss any player on that basis.

Ronaldo is clearly proven in Europe. It is a fact that cannot be disputed. Last season he had assists versus Benfica, København, Benfica during the group stage. During the knockout stage he had assists versus Lille and Roma, while scoring against Roma and Milan. That is only end product we are discussing, not his influence of level of performance which was also superb. The only disappointing games he had were against Milan and that had everything to do with him being forced to play on one wing and against his natural game. It was a stupid tactical decision on our part and one that I sadly predicted before each match. I don't see how that can be held against the player though. There is little point in discussing this season as he form is that of the undisputed best player in the world.

And they arent strikers...they are forwards.

When have I denied that? What I cleared stated was that if other forwards (both central and wide) were being included then Ronaldo must also be mentioned. That is all I have said in that regard. Regardless, it should also be noted that Ronaldo has been used upfront several times this season. Granted it still doesn't make him a striker, not even nominally, but you cannot have different rules for different players.

Ibrahimovic is currently classed as a striker however he can be classed as a forward. Totti is the other way round...currently classed as forward can be striker.

Ibrahimovic blurs the line between a striker and forward because of his role and style of play. Totti is the exception to the rule because of his natural position and his current role in Roma's side. If you want to be strict and only discuss strikers then he would not be included but that has not happened thus far in this thread.

Last season yes...but his assists this season are much lower than last season. If he gets both up at the same time that will also help...i think he has 2 or 3 assists in the EPL this season and about 5 in the CL.

His assists this season are considerably lower but his goal output has been exceptional. We have seen a shift in how he used in the side this season and that has everything to do with our lack of a natural striker and the need to give him more say in the attacking play. When the triumvirate of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez all find their top form and click then it will be interesting to see how the goals/assists will balance out between them all. Just now Ronaldo is clearly in the form of the life but Tevez looks tired and has been playing within himself and Rooney has been unable to get a decent run in the side for a variety of reasons. Therefore Ronaldo has needed to be the main goal provider and thankfully he has delivered. Should be interesting.

I know, I was mostly being facetious. He's certainly moving up the list though.

I knew you were but I felt it was a worthwhile point to make in regard to Drogba.

[Massimo_Oddo]

but Teso, didnt Ronaldo play the first half at OT on the right and second half on the left? So therefore he was not restricted to one wing.

And i'd hardly say his performances in Europe last season were superb! Apart from the Roma game at the Olimpico, he was not outstanding at all. In addition his performances in the previous 2 seasons were pretty mediocre.

[GoodDead]

but Teso, didnt Ronaldo play the first half at OT on the right and second half on the left? So therefore he was not restricted to one wing.

And i'd hardly say his performances in Europe last season were superb! Apart from the Roma game at the Olimpico, he was not outstanding at all. In addition his Goal scoring in the previous 2 seasons from last year were pretty mediocre.

fixed your post ;)

[Teso Dos Bichos]

but Teso, didnt Ronaldo play the first half at OT on the right and second half on the left? So therefore he was not restricted to one wing.

So he was restricted to one wing throughout the game (i.e. he was not allowed to move away from the wing he was played on). My fundamental point was that Ronaldo is not a winger and his game therefore suffers when he is required to stay on a single wing instead of being allowed to roam about, cut inside and dynamically switch postions with other players. It's nothing new because I unfortunately predicted it prior to either Milan match.

And i'd hardly say his performances in Europe last season were superb! Apart from the Roma game at the Olimpico, he was not outstanding at all. In addition his performances in the previous 2 seasons were pretty mediocre.

As I said he only played 'poorly' against Milan and that was for reasons detailed previously. You are being far too harsh on the player. He was not mediorce by any means. He just wasn't anywhere near his current level and that was prior to his break out season.

[Massimo_Oddo]

So he was restricted to one wing throughout the game (i.e. he was not allowed to move away from the wing he was played on). My fundamental point was that Ronaldo is not a winger and his game therefore suffers when he is required to stay on a single wing instead of being allowed to roam about, cut inside and dynamically switch postions with other players. It's nothing new because I unfortunately predicted it prior to either Milan match.

I think it was a smart move since Milans fullbacks love to get forward. Besides i don't agree he was restricted to the wing, especially in the first half at OT where he cut inside alot and got a few shots in. Problem is when he roams inside, it made Gattusos and Ambrosinis job easier.



As I said he only played 'poorly' against Milan and that was for reasons detailed previously. You are being far too harsh on the player. He was not mediorce by any means. He just wasn't anywhere near his current level and that was prior to his break out season.

I agree he only played poorly against Milan, but then which games did he play brilliantly in? i'd say the Roma game only.

Before that he really didnt make an impact on the CL. Maybe i am being a little harsh. What i would i would say is that there is room for improvement in his CL performaces. So far he is on the right track. If he keeps this up in the KO stages then there is no doubt he will have proved himself in Europe. Would you agree with that?

[kanonier]

I knew you were but I felt it was a worthwhile point to make in regard to Drogba.

I'd put Adebayor in the larger, more expansive second-tier of strikers (in my mind) at this point. I already said I consider about five guys to be in that top tier, there's probably 15 or so in that second tier.

[stevat]

I'd put Adebayor in the larger, more expansive second-tier of strikers (in my mind) at this point. I already said I consider about five guys to be in that top tier, there's probably 15 or so in that second tier.


Adebayor is awesome, holds the ball well and can finish with both feet and his head, potentially better even than Henry but a bit of a ejit though. Properly destroyed nufc last week. :mad:

Doesn't matter if Ronaldo is a striker or not I reckon, if he scores more goals than anyone else.

As an actual post up traditional centre forward Ibrahimovic has to win, I think Nesta said recently if he feels like scoring there isn't anything you can do to stop him.

Anelka? Trezeguet? van Nistelrooy?

[Grinners89]

Adebayor is awesome, holds the ball well and can finish with both feet and his head, potentially better even than Henry but a bit of a ejit though. Properly destroyed nufc last week. :mad:

Doesn't matter if Ronaldo is a striker or not I reckon, if he scores more goals than anyone else.

As an actual post up traditional centre forward Ibrahimovic has to win, I think Nesta said recently if he feels like scoring there isn't anything you can do to stop him.

Anelka? Trezeguet? van Nistelrooy?

:confused: Adebayor's finishing is the worst part of his game...he did improve it from last season to now but he needs to improve it much more.

[phil80]

^^^well, why don't you agree with gila part...:p

this year it is a shame cause if pato had played the whole year, or gila had been better, pirlo, who already has 10 assists in all comps, could have had a few more would be on pace to have close to (or over) 20 assists for the year (and that is also without a lot of impressive aerial targets for corners and free kicks as well). that is territory that no other dlpm has even been close to like xavi or xabi alonso or carrick in recent years iirc, not too mention all the crap gila did while on the end of kaka's passes last year. kaka had a lot of passes wasted by him and his numbers could have looked a lot better last year. oh well, he won the golden ball anyways, so i have no complaints. :D


alright, no more gila bashing, he has been important in the last couple of weeks, back to topic at hand. ;)
Yeah, i agree about gila as well. Sheva when he was with milan knew how to finish those balls. Its too bad for players like Pirlo, iniesta, etc who are playing these perfect balls only to have them wasted.

[stevat]

:confused: Adebayor's finishing is the worst part of his game...he did improve it from last season to now but he needs to improve it much more.

He looks prety sharp to me like, all I meant was he can shoot with both feet. You could say he misses loads of chances but then so does Torres - at least 5 at Newcastle. I'm not saying Adebayor is the best in the world, just agreeing that he is potentially very good and scoring goals.

Ibrahimovic wins. Benzema will be close in a couple of years though.

[Grinners89]

He looks prety sharp to me like, all I meant was he can shoot with both feet. You could say he misses loads of chances but then so does Torres - at least 5 at Newcastle. I'm not saying Adebayor is the best in the world, just agreeing that he is potentially very good and scoring goals.

Ibrahimovic wins. Benzema will be close in a couple of years though.

Torres missed 5 chances. Now tell me how many chances like those has he missed for all his other games?

[Gorton Blue]

Trez Zlatan Klose Ruud and Henry are probably top of world class strikers as of now