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Michael Owen
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Owen would easily be England's leading goalscorer without serious injury.
DIDIER DROGBA
HE'S CURSED BY INJURIES, HE MUST PICK UP AT LEAST 8 INJURIES A GAME, OUT OF THE 90 MINS HE PROBABLY ONLY PLAYS FOR 10 MINS, THE REST HE'S ROLLING ABOUT IN AGONY.
HE'S CURSED BY INJURIES, HE MUST PICK UP AT LEAST 8 INJURIES A GAME, OUT OF THE 90 MINS HE PROBABLY ONLY PLAYS FOR 10 MINS, THE REST HE'S ROLLING ABOUT IN AGONY.
Not great maybe but Jonathan Woodgate would have won plenty of England caps.
Not injury related but Duncan Edwards quite possibly the biggest what if. When the likes of Bobby Charlton say your the one player who made you feel inferior you know he must have been something very special.
Gianluigi Lentini-AC Milan, suffered very bad injuries after a car crash only a year after signing. Continued playing but never reached the heights talked about
They bought him for 13million, a world record at the time
I was never fully convinced by lentini, certainly not by the record price he went for.
still playing at a very low level, btw.
surprised no one's said van b yet
still playing at a very low level, btw.
surprised no one's said van b yet
Only ever read about him VEP, must of had something about him before the accident?
well, he was good, but was he that good? I could never quite see it - and the numbers don't particularly back it up.
the other thing is, the serious injuries were all head injuries, and he recovered from them fully. so no real reason they should have stopped him becoming the player he supposedly could have been.
I think it's the fee combined with the fact that he was joining a legendary team that was just beginning to wane in the world's top league at the time that's created a bit of a myth round him.
the other thing is, the serious injuries were all head injuries, and he recovered from them fully. so no real reason they should have stopped him becoming the player he supposedly could have been.
I think it's the fee combined with the fact that he was joining a legendary team that was just beginning to wane in the world's top league at the time that's created a bit of a myth round him.
viva el presidente! 20 Apr 12 13:36
surprised no one's said van b yet
Was going to say him but seeing as he won the european player of the year 2-3 times and the world player of the year as well, he was probably already great.
surprised no one's said van b yet
Was going to say him but seeing as he won the european player of the year 2-3 times and the world player of the year as well, he was probably already great.
Head injuries are a difficult one, maybe that had a direct effect on him but I take your points as I am only talking from a few pieces I read on him, which may be adding to his story.
Alan smith could of done a lot more with his career if he didn't have that leg break.
I suppose with van b it's that he was so good, and he go that injury right at his peak. (28 iirc?)
but yeah, he probably achieved enough not to count.
but yeah, he probably achieved enough not to count.
Ledley King was potentially much superior to the Judas Sol Campbell.
Eddie Gray brilliant player,Kevin Beattie also a great shout.
Paul McGrath was one of the best players I have seen and would have been even better but for injuries and other issues.
Since I started taking an interest in football in the early seventies the only two English players I would consider world class in their prime were Michael Owen and Paul Gasgoigne. Both would have been better but for injuries.
Since I started taking an interest in football in the early seventies the only two English players I would consider world class in their prime were Michael Owen and Paul Gasgoigne. Both would have been better but for injuries.
kieron dyer had some brilliant games for the toon before one injury after another
Craig Levein what a rolls royce of a defender,Peter Reid was trying to sign him Everton manager when Everton were good.Hearts and Scotland lost out big-time when he did his knee.
ewan hargreaves,and wesley brown was called glass ankle - he was brilliant at his best,very comfortable on the ball,disagree with owen ,was injured fair enough but lack of pace after his early years was his biggest drawback,but great goal in the derby the other year,hes had a good career so better than players who had to finnish.
sometimes certain players get better the less games they play, a couple of good games early on ,a serious injury, and all of a sudden a potentially good player becomes a great player but for injury.
the name i like from the forementioned is kevin beattie, because he WAS a great player in spite of his injuries, and who knows what he could have been injury free.
the name i like from the forementioned is kevin beattie, because he WAS a great player in spite of his injuries, and who knows what he could have been injury free.
weird to cite owen as one of two world class english players in forty years.
either the list's ten times as long or owen's not on it, imo.
either the list's ten times as long or owen's not on it, imo.
I believe Roy Macfarland would have been one of Englands greatest centre half's were it not for injury
icantbelieveyousaidthat 20 Apr 12 20:06
Paul McGrath was one of the best players I have seen and would have been even better but for injuries and other issues.
Imagine how good he'd have been if he had been injury free and teetotal. Would've been amongst the best of all time i think.
Paul McGrath was one of the best players I have seen and would have been even better but for injuries and other issues.
Imagine how good he'd have been if he had been injury free and teetotal. Would've been amongst the best of all time i think.
has to be paul elliot fantastic centre half moved from luton to chelsea and got injured playing against liverpool
Darren Anderton - Class player but too many injuries to ever show consistency over a long period of time.
Gary Lineker - Had it not been for an injuries then Owen wouldn't even be talked about getting close to the English goalscoring records, although I agree Owen has been unlucky.
Unfortunately there are a lot of players that make this list and its very unlucky for them but its just one of those things in a physical sport, a friend of mine used to play for Harlequins but had a bad knee injury and had to retire from the sport at 22. Also I always remember the story of a player that kept Beckham out of the Utd under 16 (or youth - I never remember which)Fa Cup winning team that broke his leg badly and became a plumber, sad that he never even had a few years at the top level.
Gary Lineker - Had it not been for an injuries then Owen wouldn't even be talked about getting close to the English goalscoring records, although I agree Owen has been unlucky.
Unfortunately there are a lot of players that make this list and its very unlucky for them but its just one of those things in a physical sport, a friend of mine used to play for Harlequins but had a bad knee injury and had to retire from the sport at 22. Also I always remember the story of a player that kept Beckham out of the Utd under 16 (or youth - I never remember which)Fa Cup winning team that broke his leg badly and became a plumber, sad that he never even had a few years at the top level.
agree with posts below,Paul McGrath was different class,Norman Whiteside and Bryan Robson had their share of injuries too
Lots of potential great players cited. Beatty is the one for me at the top of the tree though.
There was a kid at Leeds in the Whiteside mould a few years back who broke into a very good team at about 17/18 and looked as if he would go all the way and a series of injuries did him in. They ended up selling him on to Leicester I think and he never got near to fulfilling his potential. Can't remember his name.
One who hasn't been mnetioned who was very good but maybe not in the potentially great bracket would have been Remi Moses who was a very tidy player plagued by injuries.
There was a kid at Leeds in the Whiteside mould a few years back who broke into a very good team at about 17/18 and looked as if he would go all the way and a series of injuries did him in. They ended up selling him on to Leicester I think and he never got near to fulfilling his potential. Can't remember his name.
One who hasn't been mnetioned who was very good but maybe not in the potentially great bracket would have been Remi Moses who was a very tidy player plagued by injuries.
Ledley King -- this is a player that once had the speed and agility to keep pace with speed merchants like Henry, Owen, Robben etc. but now can't run and can barely turn.
At his very best, he was a complete defender -- and if injury free, he probably wouldn't have stayed at Spurs.
How many English centre-halves could do this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7Nb-nU3YJ8
At his very best, he was a complete defender -- and if injury free, he probably wouldn't have stayed at Spurs.
How many English centre-halves could do this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7Nb-nU3YJ8
Ledley King has no bottle and that is part of the reason he had so many injuries ,I can give a player who was great on Weds with two broken ribs.
You can't compare a knee and ribs. 2 shots of pain killers and you forget that you even have ribs or where is your house
I think the lack of cartilage in his knees is more of a problem than lack of bottle, Hunter.
To me he showed his lack of bottle for any big game in the world cup ,one run and the hamstring went ,the bloke is as nervous as a kitten and could never have the tempremant of a great player .
Eh? Have you ever watched Terry for England? A complete let down, never shown his club form. I seem to remember a good performance or two from Ledley in the handful of games he's had for England. For Terry, I just seem to remember him looking clumsy and then blaming others (goalkeeper, centre half partner) for his own short-comings.
And let us not forget that real bottle is being able to perform when it is all on you -- like say, in a penalty shoot-out...
And let us not forget that real bottle is being able to perform when it is all on you -- like say, in a penalty shoot-out...
It is a shame about Ledley's knees, just as Woodgate's career has been.
JT and Rio wouldn't have had it all their own way for England had these two been a bit more fotunate.
JT and Rio wouldn't have had it all their own way for England had these two been a bit more fotunate.
kieron brady- only player ive ever seen do a double nutmeg on 2 players. kin genius. finished by 22 .
Do you read the beano? and you need to refresh your memeory?
The real bottle is putting yourself on the line to take a pen anyone can miss you doughnut
Ledley would have been facing the other way,the bloke is as nervous as a kitten,no great players are nervous wrecks and as I said I beleive this contributes to his injuries .
The real bottle is putting yourself on the line to take a pen anyone can miss you doughnut
Ledley would have been facing the other way,the bloke is as nervous as a kitten,no great players are nervous wrecks and as I said I beleive this contributes to his injuries .
Apr 21, 2012 -- 10:37AM, morpteh mackem wrote:kieron brady- only player ive ever seen do a double nutmeg on 2 players. kin genius. finished by 22 .
problem with ledley king is everytime i see him he's average, if he played for a provinical prem club, no-one woul dhave heard of him. zat knights a better player.
Bit younger than most on here it seems, but Michael Johnson looked a good energetic centre midfielder before succumbing to injuries/whatever persona problems he had!
Also agree on Woodgate, superb defender when fit whilst at Newcastle!
Also agree on Woodgate, superb defender when fit whilst at Newcastle!
great player solano. honest. saw him at chelsea 1990 marvellous scored a classic. remember at final whistle andy townsend making a beeline to shake his hand. brian glanville in next days sunday times was coming in his pants when writing about him.
Paul Gascoigne.
Rob Jones.
Michael Owen.
Eduardo?
Not sure about Redknapp though.
Ronaldo, Gerrard, Fowler, Van Basten would have been even better I reckon.
Rob Jones.
Michael Owen.
Eduardo?
Not sure about Redknapp though.
Ronaldo, Gerrard, Fowler, Van Basten would have been even better I reckon.
I remember my Sunderland mates enthusing about him Morps - was going to be the next big thing, but I never got to see him as he was finished by 22 as you say. Was he around for your Cup Final run ???
Peter Cech. Not the same since being kicked in the head.
From a little while ago, I always liked the elegant Siggi Jonsson who only played a few games for Arsenal due to persistent back injuries and was plagued with that and related problems throughout his career
From a little while ago, I always liked the elegant Siggi Jonsson who only played a few games for Arsenal due to persistent back injuries and was plagued with that and related problems throughout his career
yip, but he was always getting disciplined. not a good pro, he had bad circulation to much blood in his alcohol stream etc, nearly died on operating table. canny bloke too.
The real bottle is putting yourself on the line to take a pen anyone can miss you doughnut
Typical attitude of English "lionheart" clogger types -- exactly why we never compete for major tournaments, building teams on the likes of Terry. Huff, puff, play with broken ribs and bandaged heads...yet when it comes to the crunch, any semblence of technique goes out of the window. That doesn't just apply to penalty kicks, but also long hoofs to nowhere. Terry is the poster-boy for why England do badly at major tournaments.
Typical attitude of English "lionheart" clogger types -- exactly why we never compete for major tournaments, building teams on the likes of Terry. Huff, puff, play with broken ribs and bandaged heads...yet when it comes to the crunch, any semblence of technique goes out of the window. That doesn't just apply to penalty kicks, but also long hoofs to nowhere. Terry is the poster-boy for why England do badly at major tournaments.
so the Italians never won a world cup without proper defenders. The likes of Terry is on the verge of a champions league final ,some would say it is bigger than a world cup?
Are you comparing Terry to the likes of Nesta? Seriously?
I think we'll just agree to disagree.
I think we'll just agree to disagree.
Deal I dont remember Nesta in the fifpro world team of the year five time running.
abiding memory of Terry is him standing flat-footed as Postiga got in behind for Portugal in Euro 2004, and then doing sweet fa as Rui Costa ran at England. if only Ferdinand had turned up for his drug test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIYej5s6ef4
also him carthorsing a header against Ecuador that probably would have seen England go out had it not been for Cole somehow blocking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p6gPBHuPaU (first clip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIYej5s6ef4
also him carthorsing a header against Ecuador that probably would have seen England go out had it not been for Cole somehow blocking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p6gPBHuPaU (first clip)
David Rocastle is a shocking omission from this thread that I am happy to put right.
To be fair, Van Persie IS great despite his sickie record. He would be awesome if he could play 50 matches a season.
Giggs - A player who was great and then plagued by a terrible injury
The DZA I'd have been happy to see a Terry/Nesta central defence wouldn't you?
alan shearer, if only he'd gone to man utd and not caught his studs on the st james turf during a pre season friendly
Michael Essien. should be the best box to box midfielder around by now but unfortunately has lost a bit of pace.
DeSSieReborn
The DZA I'd have been happy to see a Terry/Nesta central defence wouldn't you?
If you could only have one, for a game your life depended on, who would you pick? Nesta for me.
But let's allow the thread to get back on topic.
The DZA I'd have been happy to see a Terry/Nesta central defence wouldn't you?
If you could only have one, for a game your life depended on, who would you pick? Nesta for me.
But let's allow the thread to get back on topic.
Ok but I'm just saying Terry would not look out of place partnering Nesta.........
Flippo Inzaghi, Maxim Tsigalko (couldve been Messi of the 90's)
Fat Ronaldo, Petr Cech,
Fat Ronaldo, Petr Cech,
Peter Osgood, broke his leg at a young age, people say he could have been even better, than he was?
I wouldn't look out of place partnering Nesta 
Terry has been a great player for Chelsea -- I just don't think he has ever been that good for England. And I also think that England generally struggle in tournaments because we tend to have players that show "bottle" in terms of playing with bandaged heads/broken ribs, but who lack the genuine nerves of steel to keep their composure and technique under pressure.
In the Champions League, we have English players who have done well, but they aren't all-English XI's (and if they were, they wouldn't get a sniff of that trophy, the same as our national team doesn't get a sniff of major international tournaments).
Terry has been a great player for Chelsea -- I just don't think he has ever been that good for England. And I also think that England generally struggle in tournaments because we tend to have players that show "bottle" in terms of playing with bandaged heads/broken ribs, but who lack the genuine nerves of steel to keep their composure and technique under pressure.
In the Champions League, we have English players who have done well, but they aren't all-English XI's (and if they were, they wouldn't get a sniff of that trophy, the same as our national team doesn't get a sniff of major international tournaments).
Cech is a good shout, he was a monster before his head got smashed in.
So what was it about the back four that included Ashley Cole Jt and Cahill that did not have the composure to beat Barca on weds?
Apr 21, 2012 -- 11:17AM, donny osmond wrote:tony green, jimmy smith
Tony Green - me fatha's favourite. 
Yeah I think PC, lost his bravery, cant say i blame him, Hunt nearly killed him.
Just thought of one more, franny "glass-ankles" Jeffers
Yes Hunter, I'm very bitter in saying that Terry has been great for Chelsea but not for England...rather than just calling it as I see it.
Hunter, you named 3 players (and we'll add Frank to make 4). Perhaps XI was too complicated for you, but I meant eleven. Or, if you are still struggling, 11.
If "Lionheart" Terry leads Chelsea to Champions League glory, then perhaps I'll reconsider. Let's wait until then.
Hunter, you named 3 players (and we'll add Frank to make 4). Perhaps XI was too complicated for you, but I meant eleven. Or, if you are still struggling, 11.
If "Lionheart" Terry leads Chelsea to Champions League glory, then perhaps I'll reconsider. Let's wait until then.
Does this count? Paul Gascoigne. Had the "Disease" technically an injury although self inflicted
michael bridges - gutted when we sold him to leeds. lovely player, scored classic hatrick for leeds at southampton.
Gazza did have a very bad knee injury so I think he's a fair inclusion.
Aquilani...seems to be very highly rated but plagued with injury.
He's already been mentioned, but Owen is a standout for this list -- he could have been very special if he hadn't have had so much injury trouble.
Lionheart Terry could retire tomorrow with the trophies and acolades in the bank I am sure your reccomendation will count for little .
I am sure your reccomendation will count for little .
Owen failed to adapt his game (probably due to his frame) in the same way as someone like Shearer did, when he lost his pace.
I emember when Waterlani was 17 with Roma they labelled him the next Totti
Hunter, if Terry retired tomorrow, he wouldn't go down as being great for England imo. I've already said he's been great for Chelsea, but that wasn't the debate. I was discussing his performance levels for England and why he is symptomatic of England's failure at international tournaments.
Let's stop going round in circles -- I don't think Terry has been good when playing for England. You disagree. Let's leave it at that.
Let's stop going round in circles -- I don't think Terry has been good when playing for England. You disagree. Let's leave it at that.
Sol -- goood point on Owen, but as you say, he couldn't really adapt in the same way as Shearer. Shearer was a big, solid unit.
ok mate deal I will leave you with the consolation of how great Ledley would have been IF.
Maxim Tsigalko (couldve been Messi of the 90's)
PMSL
PMSL
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