Rooney the best English player ever

[flypitcher]

As A jock it pains me to say that he may be even the best in the world.
The World Cup will be the judge.

But can any English out there tell me has he surpassed Jimmy Greaves as the best English player ever?

Only serious people who know football reply.

[Owl]

I would say no & there were / are plenty better in my opinion than Jimmy.

He needs to do what he has done this season over the next 5+ seasons then he can be correctly judged.

Quick example is Alan Shearer (not the same type of player so a little hard to make a direct comparison)

3 times he scored over 30 league goals (93/94, 94/95 & 95/96)
Take away this year (not finished) and Rooney's best season for league goals is 16 nearly 05/06

He has the talent and I hope he does go on to be number 1 in the world, but there is plenty of work to do over a prolonged period.

[coin-op]

He is a very good player, no doubt, but IMHO he does have a suspect temperament - which is improving I reckon.

As owl said, it's early days really, and what criteria are used to judge anyway?

[wijit]

His temprament is one of the things which make him one of the best in the world, without it he'd not have the level of determination which sets him apart from most others.
But, without a doubt, Duncan Edwards was the complete player and therefore gets my vote. Bobby Charlton was also a better player, but that may change over the next few seasons, as has already been pointed out.

[ekkl]

Nah, just 'cos he has scored a couple of goals recently everyone's gone mad.

Owen was a much better player than him in his day I reckon.

[BBK]

I think if you compare him to the best English players of all time at the same age he's certainly up there, but at 24 he's got 10 years to prove he is the best. He has the potential, of that there is no doubt - I don't recall a forward like him who is as comfortable playing in every single part of the pitch. Yesterday at times he was playing left back - and defending very well it has to be said, and he was in goal during the warm up and looking good (but then, Foster was shooting at goal and looking good, so I guess its swings and roundabouts). The question is who is better than him anyway?

Gascogine, Moore, Banks, Robson? Personally, I'd still say Bobby Charlton was the best English player of all time, and Rooney needs to top his international and club scoring records before he can even begin to be considered.

Best I think can be said is that he is the best English player of this generation, and has potential to be one of the best ever. But then, at the same age Owen had the potential to be the greatest English goalscorer of all time, and look what happened to him.

[BBK]

Owen was a much better player than him in his day I reckon.

Owen was the better goalscorer, but all round better player? Not a chance.

[trueblue924]

and you all have my beloved everton to thank for his skills lol

[Geko]

Gazza for me. Shame his addictions to food, alcohol, drugs and any reckless behaviour messed it all up.

[BBK]

and you all have my beloved everton to thank for his skills lol

Personally I thank his mum and dad!

[CzarJunkie]

I hate to say it, but I can't think of an English player since Gascoigne who I have enjoyed watching more. Potentially he could turn out to be up there with the very best the world has ever produced, nevermind just England. But he'll have to do it consistently over the next 5 years or so and step it up a level or two if he wants to be considered a World great.

The real test of a true world class player comes on the biggest stage and I can't wait to see how he performs this summer.

[Lighty]

The boys got class and genius feet, as for his temprament i'd say its already gone way down, when was the last time he blew up and lost control? or got sent off for retaliation, I think he has matured an awful lot since last season, becoming a father will have planted his feet a bit more firmly on the ground, as will getting married.

As for thanking Everton......I dont think he'd be at this level mate if he were still at everton. the skills he has he was more than likely 99% born with it and has just had them honed and nurtured at a decent club that is well know for getting the best out of young players. No disrespect to Everton as I like the club but he needed to be at a big club at the top of their game to become what it looks like he is becoming and that is United/Englands best striker for some time.
He'll always go down as better than Shearer for the trophys he's won/will win. Shearer just couldnt make the change to a club that was capable of winning trophies, whilst his loyalty was undoubtedly commendable he could have had so much more at Arsenal/Liverpool/United it was a shame for him that Blackburn were a bit of a flash in the pan really. Dont really like the boring cunt but he was a fantastic striker.

[B.I.G.]

John Barnes at his peak was better than Rooney is at the moment.Just have to see how it pans out over the years for Rooney.

[jacko1]

C'mon fella's lets have a reality check here, Whilst i admit Rooney is having a fantastic season thats all it is, One fantastic season does'nt make you the best ever English forward, He needs to do it year in year out to be given that accolade, I agree though that he does have the potential to become the best ever but at the moment all one fantastic season means is that Real Madrid will try and buy you. Here's hoping

[ilscuro]

Gotta agree with jacko here Great player? Yes, Best ever? No, well at least not yet.

[swiggy]

to be honest there are a few people who have the potential to be the best players in the world not just rooney and like people have said one season doesn't instantly make your a worlds best player

[Corbei]

i agree with most here that he has more to prove over his career to be said to be the best ever but he certainly has the potential and passion to do it. one thing i will say he is deffinetly not the most natualy talented English player ever.

[mr_fuse]

Well for me I dont know why people are saying its only this season hes played well,Rooney has always had it even when he was a little kid continually chipping Neville Southall.
Its just since Ronaldo has gone hes become a lot more centrally focused than he used to be, hes got that swagger that almost arrogance that he is the best and to be honest he is the best currently.
When he came on yesterday most Villa fans were thinking the same thing you just new he would win the game.

Hes the only player in the England team we cant replace for the world cup.

The best ever English player? Im afraid that doesnt really have an answer, different rules different pace etc but the best player in the world right now I think so.

[DelTrotter]

along with Le Tiss they never get the same accolades for obvious reasons. but pure flair and ability they are right up there.

[Greyfox]

Not now no but could very well become in the future.