This is a "Best XI" feature w/Rio Ferdinand where he touches on Beckham as a wide-right "MF" and Giggs as an "out-and-out left winger" (his own words): http://www1.skysports.com/fantasyfc...alks-Merse-and-Fenners-through-his-One2Eleven
You;re right. If we have to be very very specific to player style than position, then Beckham was a right MF (not winger) however, his best time at ManU and Engloand 99-02, were famous for he drifting on the right and crossing in (just like a tradintional winger) So most often, people listed Beckham in the top right wingers all rime! (like it of not?) Other names in Seedorf, Donadoni , Nedved ... were also side midfielder. Blame on the 4 4 2 popularity from late 90 to early 2000. The 2 side midfielders often called "WINGER" automatically ...
Best was more of a forward than a touchline hugging winger. He liked to drift in a lot. Garrincha from what I've seen liked to go on the outside and whip in crosses.
[Best also played as what was essentially an "all action" midfielder in a three-man line in Busby, Murphy & Co.'s version of a 4-3-3, etc. Excellent observation(s) and I start going over the variety or roles that Best lined-up in back on pg.2 and will try and get back to it soon...]
[But, Beckham did not do things like consistently go at and take the ball past his defender/full-back and get to the opposition's by-line like an "out-&-out" winger. A wide "MF" and an "out-&-out" winger are two distinct positions/roles even though they often occupy the same areas of the pitch. Just as a centre-back is not a "stay-@-home"-type of sweeper, or a left-back is not a wing-back, etc., etc.]
totally agree with you. I said Beckahm was regarded as "winger" by many (not me). Also Agree that Best should be specifically labeled as "wide FW" (like you mention of the 4 3 3 formation) just like Figo, CR7 , Robben Riberry .... in position. However Garrincha Figo, and Best could play as traditional winger with no hassle ...
[Someone that at least recognises the nominal difference between a "greater" and a "superior" or "better" player...]
[Whether it was in the Busby, Murphy & Co. version of the 4-3-3 or in a nominal four-man front-line: United also frequently lined-up Herd as the "card-carrying" No.9 w/Law supporting and playing-off of Herd as the swift "predator" and Charlton getting into dangerous positions from a bit deeper. Charlton was VERY adept at working-off of a "spearhead" C-F because his "uncle" (actually 2nd cousin) Jackie Milburn often wore the No.9 for the Toon & England...]
[IIRC, in both legs Busby, Murphy & Co. were utilising that 4-2-4/4-4-2 latter-day W-M" variant formation. George Best wore the No.7 as the R-W (usually covering quite bit of grass on that side of the pitch) w/John Connelly as the L-W. The match footage looks like Herd was assigned the "spearhead" role while Law was working-off of him as the "predator"...]
Thanks. That's the sort of thing I would've imagined from my knowledge and the highlights. I just wasn't sure because of that article you linked before (Best was certainly getting forward and mostly on the right side of the pitch so perhaps when he played as more of a midfielder he did significantly more work in the middle and wouldn't really seem like a right-sided player primarily as he did in that game for example).
yeah, Best style was like that of Messi on right side or a CR7 on left side. He dribbled but then CUT IN into the box (rather than going alomg the sideline til the end and crossing in like traditional winger) He did play a lot of games as a FW or CAM (behind strikers) One thing I don;t understand that many LISTED him as LEFT winger *(!) but in fact he played more games on the RIGHT side than on left and then last in middle roughly speaking: 45% RFW, 35% LFW, 20% as FW/CAM
I think in his most famous games (like the ones vs Benfica certainly in both 1966 and 1968) he played from the right side. I'll let Roy comment on the percentages though as he lived through Best's career. I do know he played as left winger early in his career often and also often in 1968/69 and 1970/71 I think (certainly some highlights show him doing so wearing the number 11). Yes he did also play as a FW/CAM and as Roy stated in a right side midfield role too (not as a winger).
[This also causes confusion because when he played as a nominally right-sided "all-action"-type in a three-man midfield (usually in Busby & Murphy's version of a 4-3-3) he most commonly wore the No.7 shirt...]
[I rather pointed this out before: Charlton's ability and effectiveness at just taking the ball and "rocketing" up either flank (he usually preferred his own left-hand side) and then getting precision balls back into the opposition's "danger area" helped Best to no end in approaching a "free-role" in United's attack IMHO.]
4:00 What a completely understated quality of George best That was a leap befitting of a Pelé,CR,bierhoff etc His dribbling/wizardry was off in this game although he created a good chance and scored an important 2-1 goal What made him great(clearly) was his completeness.if his dribbling wasn’t working he could still hurt a team with his finishing,crossing and aerial threat
George Best was more complete and better than garrincha..Only the World Cup and national career make garrincha higher What do you expect from g best with a weak national team?
Both were wingers, the best dribblers of their generation, weren't top scorers (similar goal average, as ManiacButche and Once mentioned earlier) and sometimes made some bad decisions on the pitch. You can compare two of your best individual performers. Garrincha vs Sweden World Cup Final 58 x Best vs Benfica European Cup Final 68 (ten years apart, the game really change) My verdict is Garrincha. Best seems faster, but Garrincha was stronger and had more technique.
Obviously, George is more complete. He can defend and tackle well Excellent in aerial threat, two footed, Ability to play in several different positions.. Garrincha is probably a better "winger" but Best is a better player.