Nostalgia.

[Shindig]

Whilst looking back at my Match of the Day DVD's of the 60's, 70's and 80's, it occurred to me that the players passing records in the current day (Lampard, Henry, Shearer) may feel devalued. It got me thinking about just who I can consider legendary players.

Makes me try and think about who was the last 'legend' to see playing for my club. Peter Beardsley? Really makes me wonder who, of the modern game will be considered as a legend.

Alan Shearer may be heading for Carlos*ie's scoring record, but why can't I see them in the same light? Why do I prefer to admire the likes of Hughie Gallacher and Wyn Davies? Can Arsenal fans confidently rate Henry over someone like Charlie George? Can Man Utd fans sound off about Rooney being better than Norman Whiteside?

Anyway, discuss and things.

 

[Joe Star]

Give it time.............. Your kids & grandkids will probably be making a thread like this with the names Rooney & Henry in it(if forums arent yet obsolete then ).

 

[Shindig]

Yeah, probably. We'll never see another Leeds showboating session, mind. Although Newcastle did it once during the 80's. Back when we had Waddle and Gazza.

 

[::shinji::]

Makes me try and think about who was the last 'legend' to see playing for my club. Peter Beardsley? Really makes me wonder who, of the modern game will be considered as a legend.

Peter Beardsley was one of my idols when I was a kid, back during his Vancouver Whitecaps days in the old NASL! Ugly-as-F*ck, but the man could play some football

 

[Ebonix]

I see Peter Schmeichel as a legend. I've even gone as far as saying that hes the best goalkeeper ever, I've not seen much of people like Yashin though. Apart from that, I think Ronaldinho will be one, but thats about it. I could name others who will be remembered as great players of the time but not legends.

 

[PSVFOREVER]

time creats legends IMO.

 

[Zlatan]

Legends are only legends once they've stopped for a few years and they're still remembered as 'if he wasn't here my club/nation wouldn't have had such a good time' etc. And I think that honour will come to the likes you mentioned in your post above aswell but only in ten years time or something.

 

[Shindig]

I see Peter Schmeichel as a legend. I've even gone as far as saying that hes the best goalkeeper ever, I've not seen much of people like Yashin though. Apart from that, I think Ronaldinho will be one, but thats about it. I could name others who will be remembered as great players of the time but not legends.

I reckon Cudicini would've surpassed him, if it wasn't for Cech.

 

[Seán D]

Schmeichel is one of my idols - he is definately a legend. I'll always remember his peno save from Seaman in the charity shield and against the last minute penalty save from Bergkamp in the FA Cup Semi-Final forcing it into extra-time. And probably the best footballing moment I'll remember is him lifting the Champions League.

 

[Internazionale]

Walter Zenga is one of my idol back in the early 90's. He has somekind of Chinese background from his face... He might not be the greatest, but I love this former GK.

 

[Help?]

Like Zlatan said, legends are those who are still remembered well, after they stopped playing. Cantona's a legend for sure. Technically a player cannot be a legend while he is playing.

 

[Ebonix]

I reckon Cudicini would've surpassed him, if it wasn't for Cech.

Really? I like Cudicini and I think he is a good keeper. I just don't think he was too Schmeichel's level

 

[Seven8]

Like Zlatan said, legends are those who are still remembered well, after they stopped playing. Cantona's a legend for sure. Technically a player cannot be a legend while he is playing.

that statement is spot on.

 

[TheBlueBalla]

i think the mere fact that these players are still with us today, and lacing them up every week, handicaps them in our eyes. When a possible 'legend' is still on the pitch week in week out, he becomes subject to the riddicule or blame if a teams fortunes are going sour and inevitably becomes sullied in some way by that.

But with the advance of time, people hardly remember the games where Charlie George or Osgood or Baresi were crap. They just remember the dazzling play, the great goals and the crowd going mad.

I think staying with one club for the vast majority of ones career has a huge say in it, especially in these times of fluid player movement and big money football. On top of that, of course, theres the personality factor, leadership etc, their love of club, and their ability, of course. The love of club thing becomes problematic, because guys like Ronaldo, Zidane, etc, some of the true greats of our day have been so transient between

Today, I can think of a handfull of players who will go down a club legends, provided they stick with their clubs for another maybe 5 years or until retirement and nothing horribly wrong happens
1. Raul, despite the latent crappy seasons
2. Henry
3. Shearer
4. Maldini
5. Roy Keane, despite the nasty seperation
6. Ronaldinho, of course, just because his wow factor is sure to make him one of the alltime greats (for him, im making an exception from the rule below)
7. Maybe Shevchenko


guys like Gerrard, Terry, Rooney, Lampard etc all have a few more years of superhuman play to acomplish before they can be considered for such a strata

 

[Shindig]

Really? I like Cudicini and I think he is a good keeper. I just don't think he was too Schmeichel's level

Dunno, they both seemed good at different things. Schmeichel was good at making himself big. Cudicini was just generally a good shotstopper.

We haven't seen another 'big' keeper in the Premiership since Schmeichel, mind. And Schmeichel had a tendency to stay off his line.

Anyway, back to potential legends.

I'd dare say Lampard has a touch of Bobby Charlton about him. Runs for a few yards then blasts it. Very much a 'no frills' player. Shearer will be remembered for his goal tally and the fact that he is the last of a dying breed.

Henry will be remembered because he likes the extravagant, and he fits in with Arsenal's pass and move football. And it doesn't hinder matters when you're in the first team to go unbeaten for a season for 100 years.

Rooney will be remembered because he's adapted to the top level so quickly. Providing he keeps his temper under wraps.

Maldini - Played at the top level into his 40's.
Raul - For his Champions' League exploits.
Ibrahimovic - I can see him really becoming legendary. For his Ajax showboating and his Juve goalscoring. Shame Kezman went the other way.
Del Piero - In the record books now.
George Weah - Legendary.

 

[shokz]

Can Man Utd fans sound off about Rooney being better than Norman Whiteside?

Norman Whiteside was the 'Wayne Rooney' of his time, no question. In the 1981/82 season he broke into the first team, became an important player for us, and then went on to brake the record of being the youngest player to appear in a World Cup at the age of 17. I don't believe it's right that anyone can say Rooney is better because Norm's career was dogged by thirteen knee operations and he eventually had to quit on doctors advice in 1990 or risk ending up not walking at all. Who knows how good he may of become given a good pair of knee's. 70's/80's Reds will go for Whiteside for sure.

"AND NORMAN WHITESIDE HAS DONE IT... AGAIN"

:Bow:

 

[Shindig]

Aye, such a pity, really. Wonder how many Chelsea match-goers have heard of Peter Osgood, too.

I used to think Cristiano Ronaldo would be a potential legend but tricks aside, he doesn't excite me. I was more entertained by the Leeds showboating during their 7-0 twatting of Southampton.

EDIT: What's with the bald fella behind the goal? He sorta falls backwards.