of his effect for his NT. 2 very talented performers who on their top form can lift their team to a victory. Though both are not as upstart as they were some years ago, they are both more likely than any of their teammates to score and guarantee a win. though I do ponder the following... Do you think the continued reliance on these 2 aging stars help or hinder their NTs? No one else is going to score or put the team on their back and walk it over the victory line, and yet their unrivaled starting roles means younger players trying to break through haven't yet had a chance. Though Zlatan has retired. Has his continued playing for Sweden hurt the prospects for younger guys like Berg, Toivonen, Gudetti. And same for Dempsey. A lot of folks openly debated for the last few years on his inclusion into the team. Does he hurt younger and more capable strikers who get no chances or opportunity to show their stuff when you have a veteran who continually hogs all the minutes? Just a thought for debate.
. It helps until someone better comes along or they can't do the job. Not beating out the starter on the NT doesn't really hinder that player's development. They have a club team. When the understudy is ready or the old master no longer can do it then the guard changes. Hasn't quite happened yet.
I think this is a ridiculous comparison. Zlatan is one of the best players in the world. His scoring contributions were 3rd to Messi and Neymar by some metrics. He is capable of single-handedly winning games against the best competition in the world. Dempsey is a hit or miss player who doesn't contribute much if he isn't scoring and had his best year for a mid-table team in the PL. The only parallel is that they're each the best choice for their position on their NT. In Dempsey's case it's because we haven't produced a forward in a decade. In Zlatan's case it's because he's a lockdown starter for every NT in the world.
I don't believe anyone says that Dempsey is good as Zlaten, and Sweden hasn't produced a striker of Zlaten's caliber in (more than) a decade .
^THIS Zlatan has definitely helped Sweden but they will now be suffering as they don't have anyone worthy to fill his shoes