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Steven Gerrard

Alph

By Alph
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ramsbottom

ramsbottom

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INT - Real Madrid Press Room - DAY

Various news outlets and reporters are quizzing Zinaden Zidane on his life at Real Madrid.

REPORTER

What's it like being the best player in the world?

ZIDANE

Ask Paul Scholes.

That pretty much solves the riddle for me.  Stevie G had been a great servant for club, and considering he was one of only a handful of players who looked like they gave a **** playing for England, country.
But to say he's one of the all time greats is over-stepping it slightly.  Scholes, Zidane, Alonso, Giggs, Xavi, Iniesta & Lampard are or were better players.

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Footballing legend Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he was desperate for Real Madrid to sign Steven Gerrard - but the Reds skipper simply wouldn’t leave Liverpool FC.

The Spanish giants twice made attempts to prise Gerrard away from Anfield, and with the 34-year-old announcing that he will depart Merseyside in July, Zidane has revealed that he hand-picked Gerrard to join him in Real’s midfield.

“I have said in the past that at his peak he was the best in the world,’ said Zidane.

“I think it was the summer of 2004 I was having a conversation with Florentino (Perez) and I told him I wanted him to partner me in midfield for Madrid.

“I know the club tried twice but he wouldn’t leave Liverpool. Not many players turn down Real Madrid but I think that tells you a lot about the loyalty of the man.”

Zidane also wished Gerrard luck with his next move, which is likely to be to America to play in the MLS, and he has backed the former England captain to enjoy success Stateside.

“It is incredible he has never won a league title but he has had success with Liverpool,’ continued Zidane. ‘The years of him winning trophies are not behind him. I am sure he will be very successful in the MLS.”

Gerrard has admitted previously that Madrid made attempts to sign him, but he was happy at Anfield.

Speaking before the clash with Madrid in September, he said: “It’s very flattering to be linked to a huge club like Real Madrid.

“I’ve had a couple of options throughout my career to go to Real Madrid but I resisted temptation because of the big connection I have to my home town club in Liverpool.

“It may be something I regret further down the line for not challenging myself and having a change of scenery in a different country but I’d have had an even bigger regret to leave the club I love.

“I’m a big fan of Real Madrid. They are a special club. But for me, Liverpool is my number one club.”

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/zinedine-zidane-wanted-steven-gerrard-8378457

 

 

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Pele feels Steven Gerrard has been the world's best player over the past five years.

Brazilian legend Pele feels Steven Gerrard has been the world's best player over the past five years.

Gerrard has proved to be the heartbeat of the Liverpool side in recent seasons and has played an instrumental role in the club's success.

He was a pivotal figure in last year's UEFA Champions League triumph and produced a two-goal salvo in the FA Cup final against West Ham United in May.

His exploits have also seen Gerrard finish third in the 2005 European Footballer of the Year poll and pick up the PFA Player of the Year accolade.

The Reds skipper is also expected to have a decisive say in how England fare at the upcoming World Cup in Germany.

The powerhouse midfielder will head into the tournament with Pele's praise ringing in his ears, following a glowing tribute from the three-time World Cup winner.

Pele believes that Gerrard does not receive the recognition he deserves because he is a midfielder, rather than a forward.

"The fans, they look only for forwards, always a forward," Pele told Sky Sports News. "Somebody who scores.

"Sometimes you have a player like Gerrard.

"For me, for the last five years Gerrard has been the best player in the world.

"He is a midfielder, he plays very good. People didn't mention Gerrard, now they mention Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Messi because they are forwards."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12016/2379622/pele-gerrards-the-best

 

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ramsbottom

ramsbottom

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Footballing legend Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he was desperate for Real Madrid to sign Steven Gerrard - but the Reds skipper simply wouldn’t leave Liverpool FC.

The Spanish giants twice made attempts to prise Gerrard away from Anfield, and with the 34-year-old announcing that he will depart Merseyside in July, Zidane has revealed that he hand-picked Gerrard to join him in Real’s midfield.

“I have said in the past that at his peak he was the best in the world,’ said Zidane.

“I think it was the summer of 2004 I was having a conversation with Florentino (Perez) and I told him I wanted him to partner me in midfield for Madrid.

“I know the club tried twice but he wouldn’t leave Liverpool. Not many players turn down Real Madrid but I think that tells you a lot about the loyalty of the man.”

Zidane also wished Gerrard luck with his next move, which is likely to be to America to play in the MLS, and he has backed the former England captain to enjoy success Stateside.

“It is incredible he has never won a league title but he has had success with Liverpool,’ continued Zidane. ‘The years of him winning trophies are not behind him. I am sure he will be very successful in the MLS.”

Gerrard has admitted previously that Madrid made attempts to sign him, but he was happy at Anfield.

Speaking before the clash with Madrid in September, he said: “It’s very flattering to be linked to a huge club like Real Madrid.

“I’ve had a couple of options throughout my career to go to Real Madrid but I resisted temptation because of the big connection I have to my home town club in Liverpool.

“It may be something I regret further down the line for not challenging myself and having a change of scenery in a different country but I’d have had an even bigger regret to leave the club I love.

“I’m a big fan of Real Madrid. They are a special club. But for me, Liverpool is my number one club.”

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/zinedine-zidane-wanted-steven-gerrard-8378457

 

 

​He more than likely wanted Stevie to do all his running for him.  Scholes & Zidane are too similar, they'd both be yellow carded every game with nobody to make tackles for them...

Being Mr Zidane is truely the greatest, he's entitled to change him mind.  I however won't...

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I just find it hilarious that you have greats like Zidane and Pele calling Gerrard the world's best player at his peak, the player that picked up a bronze Ballon d'Or, Zidane wanted Real to sign him, Pirlo wanted AC Milan to sign him. Mourinho 3 times, Ferguson, Ancelotti, Heynckes, wanted to sign him, reports suggested Guardiola wanted him at Barca and Mancini at Inter.

Yet on here he's average at best, no loyalty because he considered a move to Chelsea, nowhere near being one of the best players in the world and object to any kind of coverage to a player that also has over 100 caps for England, named in the team of the tournament at Euro 2012. But we can't count those because he didn't lead us to any kind of glory,we all know that 1 player can drag a team to glory as Ronaldo does for Portugal at every major tournament. 

Man of the match in that Champions League final that wasn't down to Gerrard but Didi Hamann apparently.

Average at best. 

Off to jump on the Will Hughes hype thread now, no doubt there will be valuations of £20m+ again. I wonder if Gerrard would be looked on differently had he achieved all that with Derby and wasn't a scouser, hmmmm

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Mostyn6

Mostyn6

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The reason there has been such a fuss made by the victims is solely becuase they have nothing else to shout about do they?

all together now....

"have you ever seen Gerard win the league.....have you ever seen Gerard win the league....."

​behave! since when did players win a league? teams win leagues

 

By your criteria, Johnathan Greening is a legend!

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Duracell

Duracell

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​We could alllllll bring so-called 'facts' into the debate, Daveo. Bet you think you're well clever.

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cannable

cannable

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@Daveo - I feel it's pointless posting all of these various opinions as they are often contradictions or contradicted at a later date anyway. From the examples you've posted in this thread I can think of a number that are contradictions; Ferguson stated in his book that he thought Gerrard was average (or something along those lines) and the aforementioned Zidane/Scholes/Gerrard statements. 

I saw on Twitter a 'Rogers Out' account, to my bemusement, using the fact that Rodgers had claimed Gerrard to be the best midfielder of the Premier League era despite at an earlier date not even naming him in his all-time Premier League XI as a stick to beat him with. 

I feel opinion on Gerrard is split as he is the last of an old-breed of midfielder, a jack-of-all trades box-to-box midfielder. Many of the older posters will find him brilliant whilst many of the younger posters will find him average. Technically gifted, supremely intelligent controllers and play-makers are the current rage and so the younger posters will view this type of midfielder as superior. 

 

 

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Dale The Ram

Dale The Ram

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Gerrard was/is a footballing idol of mine.

Seeing a man who emulated the club and gave his all was inspiring.

He had many abilities you cant teach, passion, courage, fearlessness and the ability to carry a team by himself.

He was a good crosser of the ball and could hit them from range. also has the capacity for great tackles.

 

Think the Rose Tinted glasses need to be put down by some people... He is not a one club man but a great servant of Liverpool, in my opinion he should have left sooner

On the flip side though id put him up there on par with Scholes and Lampard (No one really cares about him going to the MLS)

but best midfielder of all time???

I believe you have to win the Champions League, League, League Cup and World Cup.

Zinedine Zidane is the greatest midfielder of all time

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ramsbottom

ramsbottom

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I just find it hilarious that you have greats like Zidane and Pele calling Gerrard the world's best player at his peak, the player that picked up a bronze Ballon d'Or, Zidane wanted Real to sign him, Pirlo wanted AC Milan to sign him. Mourinho 3 times, Ferguson, Ancelotti, Heynckes, wanted to sign him, reports suggested Guardiola wanted him at Barca and Mancini at Inter.

Yet on here he's average at best, no loyalty because he considered a move to Chelsea, nowhere near being one of the best players in the world and object to any kind of coverage to a player that also has over 100 caps for England, named in the team of the tournament at Euro 2012. But we can't count those because he didn't lead us to any kind of glory,we all know that 1 player can drag a team to glory as Ronaldo does for Portugal at every major tournament. 

Man of the match in that Champions League final that wasn't down to Gerrard but Didi Hamann apparently.

Average at best. 

Off to jump on the Will Hughes hype thread now, no doubt there will be valuations of £20m+ again. I wonder if Gerrard would be looked on differently had he achieved all that with Derby and wasn't a scouser, hmmmm

Don't tar me with same brush as Musch.  I haven't said once that he's an average player.  I just said he's not an all time great.  Very, very good at his peak but not one of the all time greats...

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Don't tar me with same brush as Musch.  I haven't said once that he's an average player.  I just said he's not an all time great.  Very, very good at his peak but not one of the all time greats...

​I'm not! sorry if it came across like that, just the thread in general

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Bris Vegas

Bris Vegas

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​I for one would be interested in your top 10 midfielders of Gerrard's generation.

​Gerrard made his first-team debut in 1998, so from say 2002 onwards (I'll be a little fairer as players peaking in say 1998 it's not really a fair comparison.)

Anyway, midfielders who are/were better in no particular order. It's also worth remembering that Gerrard was pretty much a 'jack off trades' but never specialised in anything. These are players who excell in their central midfield role better than Gerrard, off the top of my head...

Xabi Alonso, Mascherano, Xavi, Iniesta, Luka Modric, Sergio Busquets, Yaya Toure, Bastain Schweinsteiger, Makelele, Pirlo, Zidane, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Toni Kroos, Pavel Nedved, Gattuso, Patrick Vieira, Paul Scholes, Ivan Rakitic, Angel Di Maria, Marcos Senna, Gilberto Silva, Koke, Cesc Fabregas, Michael Ballack, Esteban Cambiasso, Wesley Sneijder, Deco, Tiago, Nemanja Matic, Essien, 

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