Phillip Cocu

[Joep]

Hello everyone, Phillip Cocu retired from PSV last sunday after leading them to the third championship in as many years. I was kinda interested to see what some of you think about him and his carreer, to see his reputation abroad.

Here in Holland, he's considered one of the best, especially since his second stint with PSV.

What do you think?

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Vastly underrated player. A complete midfielder who just got on with his job while the more 'glamourous' members of his team stole all of the limelight. One of the best players in recent times. It was fitting that he scored the crucial goal.

[Joep]

If he would, say, hypothetically, have moved to England when he chose to go back to PSV in 2004, what kind of an impact do you think he could have had?

[Coen-Dillen]

If he would, say, hypothetically, have moved to England when he chose to go back to PSV in 2004, what kind of an impact do you think he could have had?
You will never now..
But it's a fact he's a true legend in Eindhoven and the Netherlands. One of the best midfielders the Netherlands ever had, or am I to optimistic?

[United Pumps]

If he would, say, hypothetically, have moved to England when he chose to go back to PSV in 2004, what kind of an impact do you think he could have had?
Depends where he went but I would say very little.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

If he would, say, hypothetically, have moved to England when he chose to go back to PSV in 2004, what kind of an impact do you think he could have had?

I think he would have done well. Several olders central midfielders have had an impact in the Premiership and I have no doubt Cocu would have done similar.

[comme]

He was the jack of all trades, master of none.

Versatile player, but not outstanding at any position and that told during his time in Spain. He was by some distance the worst player at Euro 2004.

In recent years he has been excellent in Holland but the quality of the league played a major part.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

You underrate him, particularly his time in Spain. You have also forgotten all about David Beckham with your ridiculous Euro 2004 comment.

[Joep]

He was the jack of all trades, master of none.

Versatile player, but not outstanding at any position and that told during his time in Spain. He was by some distance the worst player at Euro 2004.

In recent years he has been excellent in Holland but the quality of the league played a major part.

Disagreed. Master of none? He filled the left midfield position to its absolute perfection. Good at closing down, even better with the ball, leading play from there.

also, if you think his performance in the last years is due to the lack of quality in the dutch league, then how do you expain he did so well in the CL?

[FARFAN 17]

One of the most influential foreigners that ever played in Barca, that says a lot.

[Walter3000]

Who woul dbe a good comparison? Xavi? Frings? someone else....

[nicephoras]

He was the jack of all trades, master of none.

Versatile player, but not outstanding at any position and that told during his time in Spain. He was by some distance the worst player at Euro 2004.

In recent years he has been excellent in Holland but the quality of the league played a major part.

So what you're really saying is that he was a considerably more talented version of, say, Phil Neville.
Which isn't necessarily something I'd disagree with.

[silver bullet]

Versatile player, but not outstanding at any position and that told during his time in Spain.
You seem to suggest he wasn't good enough for la Liga. Strange then that he played in 90% of Barca's league games in the six years he was there, don't you think?

[Joep]

So what you're really saying is that he was a considerably more talented version of, say, Phil Neville.
Which isn't necessarily something I'd disagree with.

I don't think that is doing Cocu enough credit. If he'd be only a considerably more talented version of Phil Neville, that would mean Neville would have all the qualities Cocu had only poorer. But Cocu had qualities Neville never had, such as vision (and very good vision at that) and he mentored two highly promising midfield talents at PSV in Aissati and Affelay, which is also a role I very much doubt Phill will ever play.

Saying Cocu is a considerably better version of Phill Neville is like saying Ronaldinho is a considerably better player than me. Both are basically true, but both are also statements that don't really pay attention as to the margin by which these players are better than the ones they are compared with. If that makes sense.

I'd say Cocu is comparable to a somewhat less physically gifted but more versatile version of Scholes, and I would rank the two about as high.

[Leto]

I'd say Cocu is comparable to a somewhat less physically gifted but more versatile version of Scholes, and I would rank the two about as high.

Less physically gifted than a short ginger asthmatic?

[Joep]

Less physically gifted than a short ginger asthmatic?

Scholes is an asthmatic? I never knew. Scholes does strike me as someone who can really clatter into fights for the ball though, and Cocu doesn't as much. thats what I meant.

[United Pumps]

Cocu doesn't even come close to Scholes. Also, he plays much more deeply. More like a Carrick.

[Joep]

Cocu doesn't even come close to Scholes. Also, he plays much more deeply. More like a Carrick.

He didn't always, you know.

[johan neeskens]

I don't think that is doing Cocu enough credit. If he'd be only a considerably more talented version of Phil Neville, that would mean Neville would have all the qualities Cocu had only poorer. But Cocu had qualities Neville never had, such as vision (and very good vision at that) and he mentored two highly promising midfield talents at PSV in Aissati and Affelay, which is also a role I very much doubt Phill will ever play.

Saying Cocu is a considerably better version of Phill Neville is like saying Ronaldinho is a considerably better player than me. Both are basically true, but both are also statements that don't really pay attention as to the margin by which these players are better than the ones they are compared with. If that makes sense.

I'd say Cocu is comparable to a somewhat less physically gifted but more versatile version of Scholes, and I would rank the two about as high.

Neville has never proved himself in a different league. Neither has Scholes. Premiership players typically like to stay in their premiership comfort zone. Whereas Cocu took on the barcelona challenge and succeeded. Cocu additionally put in a wonderful individual performance at the 1998 world cup where he played excellently in three different positions. He has been one of the most consistent players on the top level of European football I know. When did Neville and Scholes ever have a wonderful world cup?

The bias of some people towards the premiership is downright baffling. Comparing Neville to Cocu is downright insulting.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

If the Dutch league was any good then your players would stay in their own country. You cannot blame Scholes for showing loyalty and staying at the same club, an elite one at that, for his entire career. I disagree with the Phil Neville comment but I understand where it is coming from.