here's a poll to gauge opinion on a similar discussion held elsewhere. hopefully it results in lively debate and doesn't degenerate into a thread for world rivalries. also, this is a best out of these players, not intended to be a best in the world thread, so pointing out others who are better than these is kind of pointless. also, they are not all the same roles, and don't possess all the same attributes, but i still think a comparison can be made. if possible defend your picks. cheers. edit: oh yeah, and one other thing, it is who you would want for this season, not who has had a better career or who has a brighter future.
I'd pick Cesc even if I wasn't an Arsenal supporter for his vision and his continued improvement, combined with his youth. Most bang for your buck at this point
As of right now Pirlo would just edge out Cesc. But there is no doubt in my mind that Cesc will eventually surpass Pirlo and become the better player.
Scholes for just now. I like most of the players on the list but several require a specific system or partner in order to function to the best of their ability. Not only does Scholes not require that but he combines the playmaking/passing with end product in goals. Despite his age he is still playing superbly, as last season is clear evidence of.
He's not near as prolific as he used to be though. That's not a slight on him, as he's clearly thriving playing deeper, but he seems hesitant to shoot now and I don't think he'll get many more than the likes of Cesc or Iniesta. Overall I'd pick Scholes or Pirlo, I don't think I could choose between them. Maybe Pirlo because I'd give him the edge in European performances.
Countless. He's played deep, box-to-box, wide and in the hole. His performances have been great throughout at the higest level and over his career. They have also been with a variety of different midfield partners. You don't need to play a particular way or with certain players to get the best out of Scholes. The same cannot be said for the majority of that list.
When did Scholes play out wide? Other than Euro 04, where he wasn't (understandably) all that great. Edit: Not that it's really relevant, all the guys on the list would be wasted out wide.
It must have been around 02/03 when we toyed with a 4-3-3 for a while. Scholes nominally played wide left, cutting inside to shoot. I cannot remember how long that lasted because we reverted back to a 4-4-1-1 with Scholes playing in the hole again.
Adapted well but it's not his best position, which was the point schafer was making about everyone in the list.
True, he's still more effective in the mid, but has shown solid performances playing out wide for both Spain and Barca
If I were building a club from scratch and had to start with one player as the core of my squad, that man would be Andrea Pirlo.
Cesc, then follow by Scholes and Pirlo. I picked Cesc purely based on his form so far this season. For overall career it would be hard choice between Scholes and Pirlo.