Original introduction
Other than 100 more players, the change from that will be that the 300 will be an ongoing list with both rankings and player profiles (accordingly) updated.
2011:
The ambition now is to make this list a twice a season event. One version at the end of (or start of if you will) the season and then follow it up with a mid season update.
torsdag den 23. december 2010
onsdag den 22. december 2010
Raul
Striker
Schalke 04 - Spain
Original 200 writeup:
That at 32 years of age there are several much better strikers than Raul, club and country, doesn't make him a bad player.
The previous seasons when he was relative healthy and unlike now actually started games Raul proved that he is still a really good goalscorer netting 20+ in both of those seasons.
This season however he has only started 8 games in La Liga and there are even rumors he'll be leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season. On the one hand if he feels he still has something to offer (and my ranking would suggest so!) I can understand if he wants to go somewhere he can get more playing time, but of course on the other hand anything than having this unique (especially post-Bosman) undisputed legend/champion/symbol finish his career at the club where he since the age of 17 earned that status, just seems wrong.
Raul still has that will to win and technique that for years made him one of the best in the world but the pace that is so needed to go along with that is if not lost then definitely diminished.
He'll still work hard off the ball in the attacking midfield area but with the ball these days he doesn't have the pace to be an effective player there and even though his team work is as great as always he's never been what you would call a great creative player when removed from his striker position, which several coaches did over the years.
No these days once and for all his effectiveness has been reduced to the box area and even there with less pace, individually he just can't create like he used to (for an example his own shot so to speak) and is much more dependent of the work of others compared to back when he was at his best.
Now that's not a disaster or anything, it's the reality for most players, strikers too, it just means that Raul at 32 years of age is far removed from the excellent level the likes of Higuain, Torres or David Villa currently are displaying.
Doesn't make him a bad player.
The 300 update:
Schalke 04 - Spain
Original 200 writeup:
That at 32 years of age there are several much better strikers than Raul, club and country, doesn't make him a bad player.
The previous seasons when he was relative healthy and unlike now actually started games Raul proved that he is still a really good goalscorer netting 20+ in both of those seasons.
This season however he has only started 8 games in La Liga and there are even rumors he'll be leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season. On the one hand if he feels he still has something to offer (and my ranking would suggest so!) I can understand if he wants to go somewhere he can get more playing time, but of course on the other hand anything than having this unique (especially post-Bosman) undisputed legend/champion/symbol finish his career at the club where he since the age of 17 earned that status, just seems wrong.
Raul still has that will to win and technique that for years made him one of the best in the world but the pace that is so needed to go along with that is if not lost then definitely diminished.
He'll still work hard off the ball in the attacking midfield area but with the ball these days he doesn't have the pace to be an effective player there and even though his team work is as great as always he's never been what you would call a great creative player when removed from his striker position, which several coaches did over the years.
No these days once and for all his effectiveness has been reduced to the box area and even there with less pace, individually he just can't create like he used to (for an example his own shot so to speak) and is much more dependent of the work of others compared to back when he was at his best.
Now that's not a disaster or anything, it's the reality for most players, strikers too, it just means that Raul at 32 years of age is far removed from the excellent level the likes of Higuain, Torres or David Villa currently are displaying.
Doesn't make him a bad player.
The 300 update:
David Pizarro
Roma
Midfielder - Chile
Original 200 writeup:
One of the more underrated players in the world for many years now.
With great range of passing and intelligent decision making Pizarro brings effective distribution to whatever midfield he is part of.
His diagonal passes especially are impressive and when under pressure in his own half he has the composure and ball control to win himself time for another good pass.
Usually a deep lying playmaker he is capable of both a slower secure short passing game aiming for control and longer more direct passes aiming for transition.
His team work in both the offensive and defensive departments are exemplary and if this starts to sound like a player who could be even higher, well maybe he could(!) but everyone else now are excellent too or offer something really important, and he does have athletic limitations (that very few players still to come will have) manifesting themselves in perhaps not being fast or strong enough to one; be great in the final third where there is less space, and two; defensively be a very good player, despite his good work rate and positioning meaning he can certainly defend when sitting deep. But he isn't a complete defensive player....
Yes it's all very harsh indeed.
I could just turn it around into something positive instead, cause it's still more strengths (just not to the extent that it could mean say jumping 15 places higher) than weaknesses and all part of the excellent midfield package that makes him the highest ranked midfielder so far.
The 300 update:
Midfielder - Chile
Original 200 writeup:
One of the more underrated players in the world for many years now.
With great range of passing and intelligent decision making Pizarro brings effective distribution to whatever midfield he is part of.
His diagonal passes especially are impressive and when under pressure in his own half he has the composure and ball control to win himself time for another good pass.
Usually a deep lying playmaker he is capable of both a slower secure short passing game aiming for control and longer more direct passes aiming for transition.
His team work in both the offensive and defensive departments are exemplary and if this starts to sound like a player who could be even higher, well maybe he could(!) but everyone else now are excellent too or offer something really important, and he does have athletic limitations (that very few players still to come will have) manifesting themselves in perhaps not being fast or strong enough to one; be great in the final third where there is less space, and two; defensively be a very good player, despite his good work rate and positioning meaning he can certainly defend when sitting deep. But he isn't a complete defensive player....
Yes it's all very harsh indeed.
I could just turn it around into something positive instead, cause it's still more strengths (just not to the extent that it could mean say jumping 15 places higher) than weaknesses and all part of the excellent midfield package that makes him the highest ranked midfielder so far.
The 300 update:
mandag den 13. december 2010
What's new (SCROLL DOWN FOR LATEST)?
January 4. 2011:
The 300 is now up.
June 2011
About the list has been slightly updated
October 2011:
The full "End of 2010/11 start of 2011/12 ranking" is finally posted (though some errors still) and only a few writeups (300-295) have been added with hopefully for more to come in the coming days.
February 2012
A 2011/12 mid season rankings UPDATE has been posted.
It won't be on the top of the page for long, when I start the work on player profiles.
April 2012
Slowly but surely writeups are being transfered and cleaned up from the twoplustwo thread and on to the blog. Check for links appearing in the latest update entries.
JULY 2012
The 2011/12 Mid-Season ranking has been posted.
The end of 2011/12 the start of 2012/13 ranking has also been posted.
Player profiles consisting of various thoughts, stats and analysis are starting to appear on the list. Just click where there is a link!
It's still very much a work in progress though. Something worked at randomly and it's going to take a lot of time filling out all 300 players.
APRIL 2013
The 2012/13 Mid-season ranking has been posted
The positional ranks are also included in that entry. As well as links to context and content on players on the list. Their characteristics and why they are where they are.
SEPTEMBER 2013
End of 2012/13 - Start of 2013/14 Position by Position rundowns have begun. Check the frontpage for where to follow the updates.
After that is done I'll post the new 300 Best players in the World Ranking.
FEBRUARY 2015
The previous unfinished 12/13/13/14 Best Players in the World Ranking was finally posted
JULY 2015
The 2014/15 position-rankings are still in progress. The goal is to have them complete before 15/16 gets going.
100 best central defenders
200 best attacking midfielders and wingers
100 best left and right-backs
200 best Midfielders
125 best Forwards/Strikers
August 2015
The 2014/15 300 Best Players in the World has been completed.
The 300 is now up.
June 2011
About the list has been slightly updated
October 2011:
The full "End of 2010/11 start of 2011/12 ranking" is finally posted (though some errors still) and only a few writeups (300-295) have been added with hopefully for more to come in the coming days.
February 2012
A 2011/12 mid season rankings UPDATE has been posted.
It won't be on the top of the page for long, when I start the work on player profiles.
April 2012
Slowly but surely writeups are being transfered and cleaned up from the twoplustwo thread and on to the blog. Check for links appearing in the latest update entries.
JULY 2012
The 2011/12 Mid-Season ranking has been posted.
The end of 2011/12 the start of 2012/13 ranking has also been posted.
Player profiles consisting of various thoughts, stats and analysis are starting to appear on the list. Just click where there is a link!
It's still very much a work in progress though. Something worked at randomly and it's going to take a lot of time filling out all 300 players.
APRIL 2013
The 2012/13 Mid-season ranking has been posted
The positional ranks are also included in that entry. As well as links to context and content on players on the list. Their characteristics and why they are where they are.
SEPTEMBER 2013
End of 2012/13 - Start of 2013/14 Position by Position rundowns have begun. Check the frontpage for where to follow the updates.
After that is done I'll post the new 300 Best players in the World Ranking.
FEBRUARY 2015
The previous unfinished 12/13/13/14 Best Players in the World Ranking was finally posted
JULY 2015
The 2014/15 position-rankings are still in progress. The goal is to have them complete before 15/16 gets going.
100 best central defenders
200 best attacking midfielders and wingers
100 best left and right-backs
200 best Midfielders
125 best Forwards/Strikers
August 2015
The 2014/15 300 Best Players in the World has been completed.
tirsdag den 30. november 2010
Javier Mascherano
Barcelona
Defensive midfielder - Argentina
Original 200 writeup:
Defensive master like few others. Mascherano has great work rate and tackling ability and during his time at Liverpool was a key player in some of the best defensive performances in recent years.
With his excellent defensive qualities but limitations in contributing going forward in almost any way, he in many ways embodied a Liverpool team that especially in the Champions League against good technical sides gained the reputation of maybe the toughest matchup around.
In the Premier League it was often similar, and at least (to some extent) until Xabi Alonso especially in his final year took his play to another level, it was a side you'd often see struggling to get enough going in attack to put away the same smaller sides the other top teams took care of mostly with ease, while against the very top teams you could see Benitez Liverpool compete at a very high level.
It's really no secret what Mascherano does well. He is an enforcer or spoiler if you will who knows every trick in the book (who won't hesitate to use them either) and whether his defensive job, and it is always a defensive job for Mascherano, is tight tactical defending holding together the midfield chains (straight lines Benitez style, notice his obsessive hand gestures signaling this to his players constantly throughout every game) and defending his zone or if it's more aggressive pressure, battling to win the midfield, winning tackles in the process, Mascherano will do as great a job as anyone out there.
What's most impressive about his work is his range of defending I think. Not meant like he gets out of position, that would be as bad for him as it would a centre-back, but in the concentrated area that is central midfield he really does seem to be able to do more defensively in more places more often than perhaps anyone else out there.
On this list in many ways (like on the pitch actually) Mascherano where he ended up (fitting I think right before the top 50) became sort of the ultimate defensive block for the attacking players. Or for that matter the best players with something to offer both defensively and going forward. The one defensive specialist that only the most special players would be able to go past up the list. The one excellent defensive player, providing us with one final defensive stand where even small chinks in the (attacking player's) armor, or a few questionmarks here and there, like with Arshavin and his consistency, would be enough to stop the rise up the list and instead get to be - ranked behind
Mascherano.
The 300 update:
Mascherano got out of Hodgson's Liverpool and joined Barcelona where perhaps not surprisingly he hasn't made that much of an impact, even if he hasn't done badly at all when given starts here and there.
Here are some thoughts of mine from the time of the transfer that I think cover both Mascherano and his direct competition Sergio Busquets pretty well:
Defensive midfielder - Argentina
Original 200 writeup:
Defensive master like few others. Mascherano has great work rate and tackling ability and during his time at Liverpool was a key player in some of the best defensive performances in recent years.
With his excellent defensive qualities but limitations in contributing going forward in almost any way, he in many ways embodied a Liverpool team that especially in the Champions League against good technical sides gained the reputation of maybe the toughest matchup around.
In the Premier League it was often similar, and at least (to some extent) until Xabi Alonso especially in his final year took his play to another level, it was a side you'd often see struggling to get enough going in attack to put away the same smaller sides the other top teams took care of mostly with ease, while against the very top teams you could see Benitez Liverpool compete at a very high level.
It's really no secret what Mascherano does well. He is an enforcer or spoiler if you will who knows every trick in the book (who won't hesitate to use them either) and whether his defensive job, and it is always a defensive job for Mascherano, is tight tactical defending holding together the midfield chains (straight lines Benitez style, notice his obsessive hand gestures signaling this to his players constantly throughout every game) and defending his zone or if it's more aggressive pressure, battling to win the midfield, winning tackles in the process, Mascherano will do as great a job as anyone out there.
What's most impressive about his work is his range of defending I think. Not meant like he gets out of position, that would be as bad for him as it would a centre-back, but in the concentrated area that is central midfield he really does seem to be able to do more defensively in more places more often than perhaps anyone else out there.
On this list in many ways (like on the pitch actually) Mascherano where he ended up (fitting I think right before the top 50) became sort of the ultimate defensive block for the attacking players. Or for that matter the best players with something to offer both defensively and going forward. The one defensive specialist that only the most special players would be able to go past up the list. The one excellent defensive player, providing us with one final defensive stand where even small chinks in the (attacking player's) armor, or a few questionmarks here and there, like with Arshavin and his consistency, would be enough to stop the rise up the list and instead get to be - ranked behind
Mascherano.
The 300 update:
Mascherano got out of Hodgson's Liverpool and joined Barcelona where perhaps not surprisingly he hasn't made that much of an impact, even if he hasn't done badly at all when given starts here and there.
Here are some thoughts of mine from the time of the transfer that I think cover both Mascherano and his direct competition Sergio Busquets pretty well:
Interestingly the physical area where I said Busquets was far behind someone like Mikel and had room to improve, he now looks very strong to me and can definitely win physical battles.
However Busquets is still a little too one dimensional for my taste, for me to call him one of the best in the world and I really wonder how he'd do taken out of his very specialized role of holding and passing well in small concentrated midfield area for teams, like Barca and Spain, that dominate possession in every single game.
Mascherano of course is another specialist but the defensive midfield specialist I think. So much so that like others have said, that maybe Busquet's one clear edge in passing, makes Masch almost redundant at Barca.
I'm definitely not willing to write him off though and here is what I said during the transfer speculation:
"That will be interesting. Barcelona does of course have plenty of games so there should be games for both. The positive is that they now have two defensive specialists instead of Toure, and Keita for that matter, who are more allround players better in less specialized roles.
When it does come to pure defensive specialization I do think Masch definitely is the best player and in a needed stern defensive effort or in physical midfield battle, would take him any day.
His problem will be though, that at Barca those don't really take place or are called upon every day like they were for Liverpool, if ever at all, so Busquets with his edge in maybe just a few things, like when it comes to forward passing, could still be the superior fit in the Barca style.
I have however always quite liked Masch's passing game from his position, you would see it previously on the pre-Maradona well organized attacking Argentina teams, and it will be interesting to see how it holds up so to speak on what is the ultimate passing team, Barcelona.
Even Xavi's description here of Busquets is kind of like Mascherano:
he’s a right bastard. He gets a leg in, he goes for the crash, he’s puta, from the street. That kind of cunning, you either have it or you don’t.
So they're actually kind of similar there, but with Busquet's having an edge in Barca passing and generally in the technical ability department that's needed there. He is strong as well and has become a good enforcer in the unique Barca environment of possession domination, but he is also slow (quite stiff no?) and limited outside his comfort zone of defensive midfield.
So is Mascherano of course (which has dumped him quite a bit on my list) but he is quicker. Has a good passing game of his own with an amazing work rate and a range of quality defending that is quite unique I think.
I'm still unsure if Busquets could be a great defensive midfielder or perhaps rather a very good midfielder on many other good teams. How would he perform his defensive duties on normal teams that don't dominate possession. Put on pressure without the ball, defend his zone with either pressure or by having to back of for large periods of a game? How good would he be in a normal team defense. Likely not bad at all, but I'm not totally confident he is already as good as the best.
The other area where he could really (once again to his credit) surprise me and jump in my estimation would be if I saw just a little more quality from him further forward. Like both Keita and Toure have shown. I know that's not his role but just some evidence here and there would be enough.
So to conclude I do lean towards that for Barcelona at least Busquets is better than Mascherano.
Andrei Arshavin
Arsenal
Attacking midfielder/Forward - Russia
Original 200 writeup:
An enigmatic player if there ever was one who's incredible attacking talent (control, dribbling, pace, balance, shooting, passing) suggests an even higher ranking but who's actual performances (especially last season) too often could justify a lower one.
He has supreme technical skills and explosive pace. And even if pictures such as the one below would suggest an athlete perhaps not always in the greatest physical shape when compared to others at this level he does have this mysterious often phenomenal but of course also indefinable 'Russia strength' and his balance for an example is impressive.
But is Arshavin an intelligent man, or football player I should say, since that is what's more relevant here?
For both Arsenal (before that Zenit) and the Russian national team he would be a part of, even instigate, whether it was through clever movement delicate touches, passing combinations at such a high level that without to some extent great vision and football intelligence you wouldn't think it possible, yet his decision making at times is horrid and perhaps at best very erratic. He will create a shot for himself when it's the worst option or simply, as has become quite the worrying trend, the wrong kind of shot. For an example the most difficult option always. Like top corner always, MUST
HIT IT!
So to the disappointment of many (including me) after some scintillating displays early in his Arsenal career, last season was too hit and miss from Arshavin.
It's difficult to say if it's mental or tactical. Tactically I think he is someone who needs a good centre-forward in the middle to work with from out left and in key moments of faltering last season Arsenal (and Arshavin) didn't have that with neither Van Persie, or Bendtner for that matter starting, in the 2-0 and 3-0 defeats against Chelsea or the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United. In fact in two of those games it was Arshavin who found himself playing a middle striker role on right top, where he just isn't at his best.
In contrast compare Arsenal's (and Arshavin's I think as well) performances in the earlier 2-1 defeat to Manchester United with Van Persie in the middle and Arshavin to the left, and it was much better in what was a game they could actually have won versus the complete opposite during the course of the 3-1 defeat where they were completely outplayed and outrun.
Signing someone like Marouane Chamakh therefore was a must and with both Bendtner and Van Persie in early season injury trouble, to keep the consistent points-collecting going, he is already very needed.
Arshavin is someone who clearly needs good company.
The 300 update:
Arshavin continues to be hit and miss to such an extent that I'm really not sure at all if the goofball is in fact having a good or a bad season...
Playing with a good striker has definitely helped his effectiveness in the final third though where he is better than much of last season living without, but he also continues to be singled out as a reason for imbalance when Arsenal isn't in possession.
Ultimately Arshavin would probably be at his best in some kind of more or less free role with a striker and midfielders doing the defending on the wings. He will probably never do a great job at that in the Arsenal 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 but since Wenger continues to start him though, he must believe the key to balance lies elsewhere. Not least with the midfielders, who unlike Arshavin do have the tools, and could do a lot better defensively and then there is the vital matter of possession, where I feel, without checking though, that Arsenal ball-retention used to be better than it is right now and that Arsenal currently aren't "winning possession" over opponents like they used to. Something absolutely key in taking pressure of their weaknesses.
Attacking midfielder/Forward - Russia
Original 200 writeup:
An enigmatic player if there ever was one who's incredible attacking talent (control, dribbling, pace, balance, shooting, passing) suggests an even higher ranking but who's actual performances (especially last season) too often could justify a lower one.
He has supreme technical skills and explosive pace. And even if pictures such as the one below would suggest an athlete perhaps not always in the greatest physical shape when compared to others at this level he does have this mysterious often phenomenal but of course also indefinable 'Russia strength' and his balance for an example is impressive.
But is Arshavin an intelligent man, or football player I should say, since that is what's more relevant here?
For both Arsenal (before that Zenit) and the Russian national team he would be a part of, even instigate, whether it was through clever movement delicate touches, passing combinations at such a high level that without to some extent great vision and football intelligence you wouldn't think it possible, yet his decision making at times is horrid and perhaps at best very erratic. He will create a shot for himself when it's the worst option or simply, as has become quite the worrying trend, the wrong kind of shot. For an example the most difficult option always. Like top corner always, MUST
HIT IT!
So to the disappointment of many (including me) after some scintillating displays early in his Arsenal career, last season was too hit and miss from Arshavin.
It's difficult to say if it's mental or tactical. Tactically I think he is someone who needs a good centre-forward in the middle to work with from out left and in key moments of faltering last season Arsenal (and Arshavin) didn't have that with neither Van Persie, or Bendtner for that matter starting, in the 2-0 and 3-0 defeats against Chelsea or the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United. In fact in two of those games it was Arshavin who found himself playing a middle striker role on right top, where he just isn't at his best.
In contrast compare Arsenal's (and Arshavin's I think as well) performances in the earlier 2-1 defeat to Manchester United with Van Persie in the middle and Arshavin to the left, and it was much better in what was a game they could actually have won versus the complete opposite during the course of the 3-1 defeat where they were completely outplayed and outrun.
Signing someone like Marouane Chamakh therefore was a must and with both Bendtner and Van Persie in early season injury trouble, to keep the consistent points-collecting going, he is already very needed.
Arshavin is someone who clearly needs good company.
The 300 update:
Arshavin continues to be hit and miss to such an extent that I'm really not sure at all if the goofball is in fact having a good or a bad season...
Playing with a good striker has definitely helped his effectiveness in the final third though where he is better than much of last season living without, but he also continues to be singled out as a reason for imbalance when Arsenal isn't in possession.
Ultimately Arshavin would probably be at his best in some kind of more or less free role with a striker and midfielders doing the defending on the wings. He will probably never do a great job at that in the Arsenal 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 but since Wenger continues to start him though, he must believe the key to balance lies elsewhere. Not least with the midfielders, who unlike Arshavin do have the tools, and could do a lot better defensively and then there is the vital matter of possession, where I feel, without checking though, that Arsenal ball-retention used to be better than it is right now and that Arsenal currently aren't "winning possession" over opponents like they used to. Something absolutely key in taking pressure of their weaknesses.
Aaron Lennon
Tottenham
Winger - England
-----------------------------------------
2010/2011 MID-SEASON RANKING: 97
End of 2010/11 - Start of 2011/12: 209
2011/2012 MID-SEASON RANKING:
270
Last season's drop was too drastic because I had inexplicably ranked him way too high in the first place (though to be fair Lennon has had some very good season's in the past).
This season for him, isn't as bad as last season, so therefore he doesn't drop as much! Make any sense?
Well he is still something of an old school winger, great pace with the ball at his feet, one on one ability, but just not involved (only 22 passes per game this season) in quite enough good things outside of that particular aspect to be a great player. The problem is when there are too many dry spells when it comes to even being a very good winger with little impact being made either dribbling, his 0.8 per game is not even top 5 at Spurs or crossing where he averages just 0.5 per game, areas where he should be at his best and have of course excelled in the past.
His age never fails to surprise you though. Right now he is at 24 years old having been around forever
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