The Greatest Players in English Football History

Sol Campbell higher than Emlyn Hughes?

Certainly, I'm bias. But, someone needs to justify that to me.

 

Then, why was he let go from the full international set-up and his previous club team?

To my knowledge, he's never been first-choice captain at either club or country - like Terry and Hughes. He has never shown an ability to go forward like Hughes. Hughes has won all major honors over a number of years, where Campbell has never seemed to rise to any occasion.

I see Campbell in the Top 5. But is there anything especially significant about his ability or career to make him #1?

What separates him from Terry, Charlton, Hughes, or Adams?

 

Got to agree with Campbell being right up there - if not first then i would have him second.

I would have Des Walker higher, just outside the top 10 possibly. For me he is possibly the most under-reated player on the list, a top quality performer throught his career in England.

Stam would not make my list. As good as he was, 80 league games just isn't enough warrant inclusion.

Ron Harris should really have been included as well.

I would tend to have listed Neil Franklin on the second list. He may have been able to play a bit, but he was ultimately a stopper. McGrath should also be ahead of him - I would have him 3rd on that list.

For me Colin Todd should also be higher, certainly above O'Leary.

 

I haven't seen some of the top 5 play because of my age obviously, but regardless I don't think Sol gets #1. I'd put Adams ahead, and then based on names and overall reputation, I'd guess most would put Hughes and Charlton ahead of him as well (as 26 has said).

Also, a 12 ranking difference between Terry and Carra? Will players be included in two lists i.e. Carra on both CB and RB, because that had to have hurt Carra's spot no?

And if this is based on their English careers only (which I assumed it was), I don't think Stam deserves a spot ahead of Carra.

 

A few things about the last two:

- 26. William Gallas.

I am very surprised by this. I think he should be put in another list if the argument is that he's not played enough in the middle or not been as good there for Arsenal as he was at Chelsea. He's got to be right up there in one list or other. He was immense at Chelsea, comfortably their best defender, and that was in a record-setting team.

- 10. John Terry.

I don't know what that's based on. He's had one stellar season, and a few choppy ones - certainly not in keeping with when he won player of the year. Are you saying that, evened out, he still ranks 10 for you?

- No Ricardo Carvalho in either list.

Very, very surprising indeed. Especially how Ledley is in there. I haven't checked, but surely they've played a similar amount of games now - well, certainly whilst King was a noted CB anyway? Carvalho is Chelsea's best central defender outside of Terry's stellar season. How's he not on the list, an accident or ?

- Des Walker should be higher up.

Or not?

- McGrath should be higher up.

He was stellar at Aston Villa and won PFA player of the year there as well, an incredible feat for the era. I am curious as to what has him ranked down as he was solid at United as well, even if he was sloshed out of his head.


- Sol Campbell at #1 i

Is great to see. wondered what you'd do there. Kudos you didn't..

- Jaap Stam

Now I know lanman's argument about longevity is a stickler for him, but Stam was a revelation until his last season and won 3 league titles on the bounce as well as the FA Cup, and he was very much essential to the backline's he was in until he 'left' I don't know where I'd put him, hence just leaving a name there, but I'd like to know your thoughts on his positioning. Is it only longevity that has him where he is (low)?

All-in-all, a good job. A very tricky minefield to sort out there (Pallister should be on the other list) I don't envy your task. I figure a few will be put in midfield who aren't on either list.. should be interesting.

 

Campbell at #1

I'm not going to argue or question it, just going to say i am surprised to see that Campbell had surpassed so many others. I guess I never appreciated how good Campbell was then.

On another note I thought i could tell the difference between a stopper and a centreback but it seems i was wildly mistaken. Can anyone go into more detail about the difference between them ??

 

Fair points. I'm not entirely sure you couldn't be as rosy about other players performances. But, I'll agree with what you've said.

 

Not so mad about Sol being named number one, but Terry's inclusion so high is a mystery to me. Especially when he is ahead of certain players that I think are better than him.

 

Having him 26th is very controversial. I think he's been top 3 as a defender for a very long time, with last season being his only blip and that had a lot to do with injury. Obviously, being a multi-positional player is not going to help him, but I wouldn't have him at 26th in any of the lists - he's higher than that across the board. I figure that multi-positional players will be the biggest fall-guys in such lists an ironic twist of fate where their gift is a curse. Certainly in the top 3 surprises I've seen thus far, interestingly along with other Chelsea players.

Can agree wholeheartedly with 03/04, but after that we differ quite considerably. I still don't see what he's done to date to be in the top 10. It's an incredibly lofty position.I don't think his performance level merits it.

We're polaric here. Carvalho has been quite fantastic for a very long time. I really can't fathom him not being in the top 30 when I think he's been better than Terry, who is in your top 10. I haven't had a go at a top 30 myself, but I know for sure I'd have Caravlho in there in a very comfortable position. I don't know if I'd have him as high as 8th, but it's roundabouts where I'd imagine him to be give or a deficit of no more than seven.

The problem is that he's never fit. His performances are becoming quite the yesteryear memory and I'm curious as to how many games he's played in for you to rate him in the top 30. On talent, he's comfortably there, but by longevity or impact?

Hehe, that's a can of worms for you right there. Chattermouth was a superb centre-back - I don't know why not playing for a big club negates that? It won't do for Finney, Matthews or a host of others, surely, so why Des?

Yea, I figured. Quite a travesty of his own making. I suppose knowing what he was as opposed to what he managed will temper his ranking. On his day, he was an equal of any of those ranked above him, which makes it quite odd to see ranked at 5th.

It's great to see you give his due is all.

See the King point. But yea, I can see where 3 seasons make it problematic. (I could see that for Carvalho also.)

True. But it does make for some decent discussion. Your minefield is only just starting

 

It will certainly be interesting in Tom Finney's case. Undoubtedly one of the best players ever in England, but he had substantial time on both flanks and also at centre forward.

I don't think playing for a big club should be an issue whatsoever, and in Walker's case it shouldn't be an issue. For his last five years before moving to Italy he was as good as any central defender in the country and was up there as well for a good few years at Sheffield Wednesday.

At his best he was better than Hansen - he could deal with pace, skill or power eqaully well and in any conditions. He suffered a bit under Ferguson's strictness, but when allowed to prepare as he saw fit (ie not bother training or even playing drunk) he was as good as anyone.

 

Concur on all accounts. But this is comme's can o' worms!

I was surprised to see McGrath at 5th and Walker where he is.

 

Yeah that is the truth. Just wait until we get to central midfielders and strikers...then the discussion will be good.

 

Although I can't imagine any arguments about the number one for the right wing.

 

Jermaine Pennant of course

 

I'll be most interested in the left wing position.

 

Indeed. There are three outstanding candidates and each could be top depening on the criteria used.