European Player of the Year

Former Member

Nominees announced.

Pablo Aimar (Argentina - Valencia)
Michael Ballack (Germany - Bayern Munich)
David Beckham (England - Real Madrid)
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy - Juventus)
Sol Campbell (England - Arsenal)
Iker Casillas (Spain - Real Madrid)
Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine - AC Milan)
Christian Chivu (Romania - AS Roma)
Deco (Portugal - FC Porto)
Alessandro Del Piero (Italy - Juventus)
Dida (Brazil - Milan AC)
Giovane Elber (Brazil - Lyon)
Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon - Mallorca)
Luis Figo (Portugal - Real Madrid)
Ludovic Giuly (France - Monaco)
Thierry Henry (France - Arsenal)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden - Ajax)
Filippo Inzaghi (Italy - AC Milan)
Oliver Kahn (Germany - Bayern Munich)
Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands - Barcelona)
Jan Koller (Czech Republic - Borussia Dortmund)
Darko Kovacevic (Serbia & Montenegro - Real Sociedad)
Henrik Larsson (Sweden - Celtic)
Roy Makaay (Netherlands - Bayern Munich)
Claude Makelele (France - Chelsea)
Paolo Maldini (Italy - AC Milan)
Adrian Mutu (Romania - Chelsea)
Pavel Nedved (Czech Repulic - Juventus)
Alessandro Nesta (Italy - AC Milan)
Nihat Kahveci (Turkey - Real Sociedad)
Michael Owen (England - Liverpool)
Pedro Miguel Pauleta (Portugal - Paris Saint-Germain)
Robert Pires (France - Arsenal)
Raul (Spain - Real Madrid)
Roberto Carlos (Brazil - Real Madrid)
Ronaldinho (Brazil - Barcelona)
Ronaldo (Brazil - Real Madrid)
Michel Salgado (Spain - Real Madrid)
Paul Scholes (England - Manchester United)
Lilian Thuram (France - Juventus)
Francesco Toldo (Italy - Inter Milan)
Francesco Totti (Italy - AS Roma)
Hatem Trabelsi (Tunisia - Ajax)
David Trezeguet (France - Juventus)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands - Manchester United)
Patrick Vieira (France - Arsenal)
Christian Vieri (Italy - Inter Milan)
Sylvain Wiltord (France - Arsenal)
Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy - Juventus)
Zinedine Zidane (France - Real Madrid)

I say Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Former Member

I'd say Ronaldo or Zidane.

But that's just my team colours talking.

I think Thierry Henry should get it. Not only he's superb, but consistently superb at that.

Aimar from Valencia is also the dog's bollocks.

Former Member

Ruuds European goal tally is excellent, if Michael Owen can win it by scoring a few goals in the meaningless UEFA Cup.............

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Originally posted by godscop
Ruuds European goal tally is excellent, if Michael Owen can win it by scoring a few goals in the meaningless UEFA Cup.............

Sorry Godscop but there a far better players than RvN in that list. I think the Man U bias has taken over again

Former Member

If the prize is based in the number of goals scored, then it could be a different matter. But I presume it is based in general quality and skills of the player. And excellent finisher as RvN might be, he's not nearly as excellent in general quality as a few others are.

Without even having to leave these shores, I believe Henry would have a better claim to the prize than Rudd.

Here might be my team colours speaking again, but how about Madrid keeper Casillas? Surely there cannot be a better keeper in Europe today, and he's saved Madrid's skin in so many occasions, and in such fashion for the last 3 years...

Former Member

The point is when Owen won it a few seasons ago what had he done to merit it? United bias yes, but only becasue of that scouse twat.

I agree about Casillas, great keeper.

It isn't about whos the better player its about performance. If its a judgement on who the best player is than Zidane would win every year IMO. Fact is Zidane hasn't done anything that isn't expected of him so doesn't deserve to win it.

Former Member

It will be Beckham, if only for his impact in Spain.

I may not agree but he's the blue-eyed boy at the moment...

Personally I would give it to RvN and not because of my MUFC bias. This guy has topped the Champions League scoring chart for two years straight, so consistency is there. And to score so highly at such a level is excellent finishing.

Certainly it's better than Ronaldo has managed, and he already rivals Raul as the Top socrer in the tournament full stop - after only two years, but I also think that RvN's linkup play is of equal standard.

If it goes to Henry then it would only be because he carries the Arsenal team



Now THAT is when my bias comes in...

Former Member

But Henry has va va voom. Can you say the same of others?

Former Member

I think I agree with you MoK about Beckham *now there's a first*
Think he will get it. It is not all about the Goalscorers although they usually get most of the credit. There is no "I" in "TEAM".

Former Member

Originally posted by Man Of Kent
but I also think that RvN's linkup play is of equal standard.
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His diving seems to be quite good too.

Why should big awards be given to players who dive on a regular basis? Like Pires and Henrik Larsson too, what kind of example is that setting to anyone?

Give it to someone like Scholes.

JsT

Give it to Mark 'fat bastard' Viduka for his contribution to McDonald's profits

Former Member

Few good ones there like Ballack, Aimar, Zidane,

But I think it'll come down to Ruud,Henry- Raul and Schevcenko

Maybe Henry or Schev at a push!

Former Member

No way in Hell should "Ruud Van missed 3 penalties" win it.
He scored a lot of goals last year (about 10 pens and the rest all within 10 yards) but doesn't have the pace, and ability to change a game like Henry. Ruud has bags of talent but doesn't deserve to win euro player of the year. Goals aren't everything.

Former Member

frank lampard

Former Member

Originally posted by Nastroman
frank lampard

amen

Former Member

Only way to comapre players from different leagues is through Champions league thus.....

Paolo Maldini.

A truly great football plyaer and a great man!

Former Member

Poor Heskey didn't make it to the list... Can't think why.

Former Member

Originally posted by Aladdin
Poor Heskey didn't make it to the list... Can't think why.

hmmmm *ponders for a minute*
big, fat and useless seem to spring to mind

Former Member

I've just noticed Wiltord is on the list.

Former Member

Originally posted by godscop
I've just noticed Wiltord is on the list.

That is criminal, a decent Arsenal player :rolleyes:

Former Member

Originally posted by Lickalotapuss
That is criminal, a decent Arsenal player :rolleyes:

Come on then you smart ****, why does he deserve to be nominated?

Former Member

Originally posted by godscop
Come on then you smart ****, why does he deserve to be nominated?

Why not?? I don't watch every game Arsenal play but he is a decent player and he must have done something otherwise he wouldn't have being nominated.

Former Member

Originally posted by Lickalotapuss
Why not?? I don't watch every game Arsenal play but he is a decent player and he must have done something otherwise he wouldn't have being nominated.

If a player doesn't stand out then how the hell can they be nominated? That list needs to be severely shortened, players are being put in there to make up the numbers.

Former Member

Originally posted by godscop
If a player doesn't stand out then how the hell can they be nominated? That list needs to be severely shortened, players are being put in there to make up the numbers.

Agree,

Maybe a top 20. But it boosts a players confidence to be in there.

Lampard aint done much last year! He's on fire this year i'll agree,
Maldini has been solid but still lacks the pace but wouldnt give it to him, when was the last time a defender got it? If I was to pick a defender it'd be Nesta!But cxant see it happenenig!

Former Member

I thought lampard was very good last year, he is just excellent this season, he gets better every year, go lamps!

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Cant really see past Raul Gonzalez, to be honest. Brilliant football, fit wife.

Nistelrooy shouldnt be considered because he seems incapable of doing it for his country, hes like Andy Cole- anyone could score 20 goals a year in that Man United team. Even shite like Forlan get regular goals.

As for Wiltord- what the fuck? I can think of 10 Arsenal first-teamers who are better players than Wiltord, hes a useless donkey and Wenger was robbed blind by Bordeaux. Christ, even Ray Parlour is better!

Former Member

Originally posted by RNT
nobody stands out this year

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's struggling. And there definitely should be fewer on the list.

Former Member

The final 3:

Henry (Arsenal)

Ronaldo (R. Madrid)

Zidane (R. Madrid)

I must say I can see Henry winning it. I wouldn't say he's on the whole better than the others, but he has had a superb year and seems to be playing better by the day.

Former Member

Originally posted by Aladdin
The final 3:

Henry (Arsenal)

Ronaldo (R. Madrid)

Zidane (R. Madrid)

I must say I can see Henry winning it. I wouldn't say he's on the whole better than the others, but he has had a superb year and seems to be playing better by the day.

Dude, that's FIFA World Player rather than the European one...

Agree though, I would go for Henry from that list because I think he has done more in the past year than the others. Both supreme players in their own right, but each has already won it and I really don't think that they have achieved their standards this year...

Former Member

Originally posted by Man Of Kent
Dude, that's FIFA World Player rather than the European one...

Oops!

When is the decision (or the shortlist) for the European one being announced?

Former Member

Originally posted by Aladdin
Oops!

When is the decision (or the shortlist) for the European one being announced?

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