It is a three-fold argument. You have George Best, the most talented British footballer of all time. What he set his mind to do, his feet, head, body and legs did with accomplished grace and execution. Playing without fear, Best would always be the best player on the pitch regardless the opponents or occasion. What I am saying is that if George Best were to have had the chance to play on the biggest stage in football - the World Cup - George would have been the best player. Then we have Jimmy Johnstone, an underated but colossus talent. A Celtic legend who was one of the most feared opponents of every fullback in the 60's and 70's. With his unstoppable dribbling technique, hunger and dynamism, Jimmy is quite possibly the quintessential outside right forward of the classic era. Finally, we have King Kenny. Kenny Dalglish is the greatest footballer of the greatest British football club, Liverpool. A genius with the ball, and a leader without it. Not just a scorer of great goals but also a great goalscorer from his withdrawn forward role. Dalglish always found a way to score, no matter what the angle or minute! A highly revered Kop legend, Kenny was the pivotal player of the legendary Liverpool sides that dominated both England and Europe.
best the msot talented. dalglish got the most outta his career from the 3 you mentioned. johnstone mayeb more talented then dalglish but dalglish the betetr complete player. johnstoen had a tendency to keep the ball to long with him when eh should have passed the ball earlier. so i would say best, dalglish, johnstone
p.s. dalglish doesn't fit in the list. you should have named 3 wingers. otherwise its not a good comparison thats liek comparing yashin with platini. for exmple : best, johnstone, garincha, gento, dzajic
I presume SirWellingtonSilva was looking purely at British legends. If we're talking about the great British wingers lets include the likes of Tom Finney and Stanley Matthews into our discussion.
Well I though Tom Finney was more like a FW (or wide FW) than a winger like Mathews? Any comments? *Wellington or Roy?
[Finney was also HIGHLY effective when "doing the job" of a classic-type winger as well: Finney was such an amazing attacking force that he almost had to be seen to be believed...]
A good feature on Finney & Matthews from the FA.com: http://www.thefa.com/england/News/2010/Heroes_FinneyonMatthews
A good and unique perspective on Best v. Johnstone from Tommy Gemmell: http://www.jimmyjohnstone.com/news/article.asp?news_id=91&news_page=21
[Cliff Bastin of Arsenal & England and Eric Brook of Man City & England could also be mentioned in such exalted company IMHO...]
From that arsenal team there was also Alex James, who ive seen described as the key man and mastermind of the great arsenal team of the 30s. If im not mistaken he was the first number 10 following rule changes to the game, at least that is what i have read. French press once described the Scotsman as a "miracle"
If you would like the opinion of a member of the English/British sporting press (though not at the time) that actually saw James w/a ball at his feet just LMK...
Finney could also function and thrive as a card-carrying midfield OR forward "play-maker" (in the original sense of the term). Best could "square peg into round hole"/"jump" the role; but he was not really a fan of being handed that responsibility IMHO...