28 Nov 2017 21:58:31
Ed01, alright mate, just to change the subject and sorry for posting here. what's your thoughts on Marco Van Basten, for me the most complete centre forward i've ever seen.

{Ed001's Note - he is certainly one of the best ever, it is a shame his career ended early as he was a wonderful player. Sadly most of his career was while I was a kid, so too young to appreciate him and there was very little coverage on TV to watch him and realise just how good he was. His technique was incredible and he could score goals that seemed impossible. When you think back on it, to compare him with someone playing now, it is like someone had Harry Kane on FIFA and upgraded all his stats. He just seems like he was better and all the Dutch strikers that came after are in his shadow.}


1.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 07:41:31
Ed01, I watched Van Basten play at the Euros and during his Serie A days IMO at the time, he was my idol as a teenager growing up and he was breath-taking. Many believe he was/ is simply the best CF to ever play the game esp. in his prime at Milan and with the Dutch team. Considered as the best youth product to ever come out of the famed Ajax academy since a certain Johan Cruyff (third was Dennis Bergkamp), Van Basten due to his ability as a ballet dancer during his childhood, is the most elegant striker to ever play the game. He made the hardest things look so easy.

As you say ed, his technique and awareness on the pitch, was unreal. Marco could drop deep and play the no. 10 role and his ability to assist was near on par with his ability to score goals. Injury took him from us in his late 20's and it took Milan a LONG time to find his replacement until another legend, a certain George Oppong Weah, arrived at Milan and Adriano Galliani could finally rest easy. Marco was my best CF ever UNTIL a certain buck-toothed Phenomenon/ Extra-Terrestrial named Ronaldo, appeared.

{Ed001's Note - not Pele then?}


2.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 08:54:41
Never thought Bingo is older than Ed01 ☺️.

{Ed001's Note - you are older than me Harry!}


3.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 09:07:36
Which I won’t deny Ed01. You are the youngest around here. Aren’t you? Closely followed by Ed025 ☺️☺️☺️.

{Ed001's Note - not that closely, just the 50 years between us!}


4.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 09:19:03
That goal against Russia and one of the best if not best keepers at the time.


5.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 11:27:24
Ed01 for me, Pele is the best player and the most complete footballer ever. He's not the best CF, IMO tho. I used the phenomenon/ extra-terrestrial name for Ronaldo as that was what he was called by the media, team mates and opponents at the time as he seemed out of this world and to some extent, he was.

{Ed001's Note - but Pele was a CF though.}


6.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 12:38:42
Interesting to listen to Ray Wilkins when AC Milan told him he had to leave as they were signing his replacement.

Marco Van Basten. Wilkins says I just told them I'd pack my bags.


7.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 12:48:39
Cheers ed01 really appreciate u taking the time to respond. For me he had it all pace, power, finess, touch etc etc shame his career ended at 29. Keep up the great work mate.

{Ed001's Note - I literally could not think of a weakness in his game, other than the early retirement. Unless he was poor in the air, I can't remember what he was like with his head at all.}


8.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 14:19:15
He was good in the air.
Never thought of MvB as having great pace though.

{Ed001's Note - it is acceleration that is more important for a finisher than outright pace and I seem to remember him having that. By the way I have watched a fair bit of that Leeds defender you wanted a profile on, should get it done in the next week or so but he reminds me a lot of Lovren I must say.}


9.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 14:34:48
One of the best headers of the ball, Ed. Marco was unbelievable simply put and I am glad that I saw him play for a while before his injuries. A true legend of the game.


10.) 29 Nov 2017
29 Nov 2017 18:27:03
Thanks Ed.

My memory is never a good yardstick but I remember MvB as being a perfect technician. That included his movement, positioning and awareness. He didn't really need pace, he was always one step ahead of the game.

{Ed001's Note - at your age you have to expect the faculties to go.}