Here are the options for the left midfield position. This is far from clear cut with a few good options.
As I suggested in the attack mid poll, Robert Pires needs a mention. If Giggs in his hey day is in the poll then Pires currently or in the past 3 seasons should defo be in.
Although his presence in this poll is a tribute to his versatility, IMO Rivelino should really not be on this list. Not because he wasn't great (he was); but from what I remember, he only played 5 games his entire international career as a winger (in order to accomodate the 5x"10"s at WC '70). He did a fantastic job, but shoudn't be sharing votes with players who played that position their whole careers. He should be in one of the more central midfielder polls, where he played most of his career in Brasil and for the NT. I've decided not to worry about defensive abilities of my wingers, and will go for Czibor of Hungary.
I agree that a true and traditional left winger ala Best/Giggs should be there ahead of someone who managed to play on the left from time to time... oh well, such is life.
With all due respect to Giggs and Best, my vote goes to Paco Gento. He's by far the fastest and the most consistent winger among all choices. 18 years on the highest level, 6 time CL winner, 12 La Liga titles, he's probably won more titles throughout his career than anyone else... ever, starting in a team full of stars for such a long period of time - simply amazing.
There are a lot of players on this list who played more than just the left wing on top of those mentioned - Schiaffino could be classed as either an attacking midfielder or withdrawn striker. Finney could (and did) play anywhere accross the front line (although he is most recognised as a winger) Best likewise. Czibor was an inside left who was shifted out to the wing because of Puskas. Much as I would like to vote for Finney (who I think was the best player on the list) I'm voting for Czibor as he was the best left winger.
Although I’m not going to claim he is the best I need to get some Scottish players in! Davie Cooper. My hero when I was growing up. http://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=glasgow rangers - davie cooper v tic - dryborough cup 1 Jim Baxter. http://www.wembleystadium.com/GloriousPast/greatnames/JimBaxter.htm All I can say about Slim Jim is how good I’ve been told he was!
Baxter was a pure midfielder (left half) but Cooper is a good shout - one of the most naturally talented players I've ever seen. Just a shame it never worked out for him with the national team.
This poll has the most flaws...Nedved, Rivelino etc. I voted Rivelino because I thought he possessed the amplest skill set and displayed them successfully at the highest level. If there was no Rivelino on the list, I would go with Gento.
It amazes me to see, apart from Astabooty; Bluedaddy and myself, no mention at all of Piet Keizer. This man was pure genius, he was one of the main reasons Cruijff looked so good. Cruijff could count on atleast one not-to-miss chance every match from Keizer. Keizer could be invisible for an entire match and then leave an entire defense behind him in his wake to pass the ball with deadly precision to Cruijff who only had to tap the ball into the goal. There were even people who thought Keizer was an even better player then Cruijff. A great example of this is the goal from Cruijff in EC 1 finale in 1972 against Inter. This man was certainly a better player then someone like Nedved who is on the poll and isn't even really a left-winger. There you go tpmazembe.
being too young to yet wield a driver's license, i feel that i should only vote for the players that i've actually seen, especially when one of said players has the craziest dribble in all the land............ Denilson
I am sorry if I misrepresented Rivelino, if I am honest I didn't for a second think that he could possibly win this poll. Maybe I was just seeking to give him some representation, ditto Schiaffino. I had expected Best to walk it, perhaps that is being British, half the people here over 40 consider him to be the greatest player of all time bar none. Piet Keizer was an omission, as I said in the other thread. Nedved is a left-sided midfielder, maybe not a winger but his place is in this poll.