It's interesting, because at Tottenham he was doing, I feel, what you're saying (and other Gemans on the board say) he couldn't do so well IMO. Exellent technically and in the build-up as well as in scoring etc and athletically too of course. I guess his peak was at Tottenham, at quite a late age, actually. Why he should improve technically substantially at that point I'm not sure, but in certain footage of him at Inter for example, I can see what you mean (also to an extent in World Cups, although personally I lean towards him having done better in them than Voller). Maybe at Tottenham his technique was still not 100% reliable at every moment, but it seemed very good in general I think. I don't know whether his relatively long legs (considering not being really so tall overall) meant they got a bit 'wobbly' at certain moments lol, leading to a mis-control or something.
My own impression was into this direction, World Cups etc., although even at Tottenham he sometimes used his physical prowess and fitness superiority to compensate for a sub-par first touch (especially on the turn or with back to goal). Voller was technically more sound (not only first touch), and if I speak for myself, also more liked by pundits in the low countries.
Yes, that can be the case. If he was at his peak at that time, it was also due to not having much of a physical decline and indeed the pace and alertness was a big part of his game still. I also did not have a Tottenham Hotspur season ticket lol, so am mostly basing my impression on highlights. If the theory is correct, he should have seemed a bit more 'sure' in his touch at WC94 as opposed to WC90 even, and maybe I think he did but Gregoriak and other Germans would not be unaware of that. Maybe I'm giving slightly too much credit for what he 'could' do (and obviously at times his touch could be really good) as opposed to considering the times he seemed slightly sloppy (and in his case, (unlike say Weah who perhaps at times was a bit loose in his play or not on the same wavelength as a team-mate I think), it would probably mostly stem from a technical let-down). Obviously when we extend technique to volleys, overhead kicks etc he even stands out in a positive way, but yes I'd accept his basic technique could be a bit variable even at Tottenham (but so could Rivaldo's at Barca I think as one example that you might agree with.....and at times anyones can of course as even Cruyff mis-controlled an easy ball out for a throw-in in WC74 and Pele mis-cued in front of an open goal in WC70 in an overall great performance vs Czechoslovakia etc etc)
Haha, hmmm, maybe. Definitely seen as a world class one that stood out in the league, but it was also at least becoming a very good league with a number of foreign stars, and actually quite a good collection of British players at the time too. But no, I'm meaning it in a worldwide, all-time sense (not saying brilliant technician, but in general I think he seemed a quality player at the time and I guess the ESM Team for 94/95 says journalists agreed). The stereotype is not completely unfounded of course, but then England did produce some technically skilful players (some, like Hoddle who played for the same Tottenham, outstanding indeed in that way) and there were skilful, technically sound players, like McManaman for example (actually on volley technique etc he'd be way behind Klinsmann I guess lol, but for general touch on the ball very good), around at the time.
Guerin Sportivo had in 1995 some sort of special about the best strikers in world football. Quite a few British strikers featured. https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/ol...-esp-1950s-1970s.2038892/page-5#post-35653940 This was when Serie A was viewed as the world's best league (even more so than the mid-80s actually) so that GS did this bears some interesting weight. Also, in 1994-95 the following technical players had a (mildly) productive season: Le Tissier, Giggs, Roy, McAllistar, McManaman, Sheringham, Cantona, Beardsley, Kanchelskis, Yeboah. I think there were enough technical players to judge how someone stacks up. Just my guess but I'd say that the 1990s were the high point of the glossy magazines. Klinsmann, despite his supposed diving, was the perfect figure for that (today this is still somewhat important, in different ways, see Fiorentino Perez his recent commentary, but in the 1990s very arguably even more so to be suitable for the magazines and papers). I think he got praise for his expansiveness, enthusiasm and at times spectacular goals (to name a few - a few spectacular and high scoring spells) but not for his technique per se. Just checked it but in endorsements, lifestyle (without exaggerating too much in extravaganza) and such he was kind of like the proto-Beckham. Something that's often also important with these things is that Klinsmann played for the more glamorous clubs during his (near) pomp (Stuttgart, Inter, Monaco, Tottenham, Bayern) while Voller did not do this (Rehhagel's Bremen, Roma, Marseille even if Europe's best team, Leverkusen). AS Roma is sort of fashionable, but it is dwarfed by Klinsmann his list of clubs (aided by the 'aura' these clubs still have today). Therefore Klinsmann was also more likely to stay prominent in the public eye during non-tournament years. Even if he wasn't that brilliant, I am sure the 1989 and 1991 UEFA Cup finals were broadcasted and received a lot of exposure in many countries.
Hi @Gregoriak In relation to your lists, what do you think about these keepers: Georg Ertl - 1930s Helmut Jahn - 1940s Karl Adam - 1950s Fritz Ewert - 1960s
Karl Adam had an interesting career, he played as centre half for 7 years before he became goalkeeper after an injury of the standard goalie. He was instrumental in Kaiserslautern's 1951 championship. Georg Ertl must have been a pretty good goalkeeper during his time (7 caps was a high number in the 1920s). Excellent commanding of the penalty box, known as "the man with the 1000 hands". Fritz Ewert was known for his jumping power and excellent positioning as well as his long punts. Only four caps as Hans Tilkowski and Wolfgang Fahrian stood in his way. Helmut Jahn got most of his caps (17) during 1941 and 1942 as successor of Hans Klodt. While Sepp Herberger obviously trusted him he was not undisputed in the media. "Fussball" wrote in 1948: "Jahn was often disputed. It happened that he was called up for Germany but his form was not sufficient to play for the Berlin city selection. He lacked the command of the box that Stuhlfauth, Jakob and Klodt excelled at. He sticks to the goalline. In his way of playing however he is fairly consistent and during his peak he was unequalled in his style".
An old match report from 1942 gave me more information about the young Fritz Walter's style: .... when the young Fritz Walter hit the scene, his technique was considered unequalled, a player who was very adept at soloing through defenses or reaching his aim via neat short passing with his teammates. His solos were described as "snake-like" by contemporaries, as he wound his way through defenses with the ball close to his feet. He was also excellent at heading and shooting it is said. His dribbling often came with an element of surprise due to his fast acceleration. His solos were characterised as being "lightning fast thrusts" that left his opponents trailing. He was a great fighter to boot. Fritz Walter was capped 20 times by the age of 21, which was an incredible number during that era, and shows his uniqueness in German football.
If I may ask, what you have denied previously, what's the reason for your dislike against the low countries? https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/yo...c-national-teams.2078732/page-5#post-36236662 (you repped that post, with NLD and Belgium both on top of 'disliked countries')
I repped that post because I like poorvi, an Indian poster who is fan of the German national team and she is posting very few times. I did not rep it because she dislikes the Netherlands or Belgium. I do not dislike the Low Countries at all.
Why not be happy that some rivalries are still alive? Club rivalries never die but internationally only England, Argentina and Germany seem to be opponents worthy of a good battle. Keep the spirit alive!