have u noticed that in the British game, teams prefer players who can generally play with energy, those who can hustle & bustle thru a game; to the skill/passin ability/vision, as play-makers or central midfielders i.e Gerrard, Lampard etc.

whilst on the continent, we have more tact, guile, skill in the center of the park - for instance, players like Pirlo, Riquelme, Zidane, Kaka, Deco, Diego ain't particularly known 4 their bustle!

Riquelme has been sent back to the Argentinian League, he was never that good so please take him off that list.

Secondly, Lampard can definitely pass and has good vision, he can also shoot the living daylight off the ball as well as hustle. English midfielders are often in that mold since they do not have the likes of Makelele/Vieira/Riquelme/Gattuso/Marquez/Costinha and etcetera to cover for Pirlo, Zidane, Kaka, Deco, Diego and their defensive inabilities.

@ donzman,

dunno if u've ever had the priviledge of watchin the Argentina - England friendly b4 the World Cup in Germany, even though England won that game, the commentators were full of praises 4 Riquelme & how much influence he had on that game. in fact Alex rae of ESPN, was just a lil short of sayin that Lampard & Gerrard should sit, watch & learn from Riquelme who has described as "lightening slow but yet very commanding @ the center of the park" - coming from an Britico u should know what that means 'cos they very rarely criticise their own players!

Alex Rae or Derek Rae? Even at that arent these analysts human and entitled to their OWN views? I will choose Gerrard over Riquelme anyday, thats the no 1 match winner that I can vouch for!!

@ Donzman ---- Riquelme ain't no cover 4 nobody, he's an attacking midfileder!

@kitaun
yep --- analysts are human & entitled 2 their own views, but what i intended pointing out is this ur key man in midfield doesn't have 2 be one who runs the entire length of the field 100times every match like he was doing the 100m dash like most of our english sides like them 2 be.

take 4 instance Pirlo of Milan, he plays from a deep position behind his defensive midfield unit; just directly in front of his defence --- can u imagine how far he is from the opposition's goal area? but still u can feel his influence on the game; how he holds on to the ball & controls the tempo of the game. same applies 2 the Riquelme's, Zidane's, Schole's, Deco's, Kaka's, Alonso's, Diego's etc.
they don't necessarily have pace; they're not hustlers & battlers, they're very quiet, sometimes invisible in a game but their control over that game is undisputed when they're in full stride!

Lampard, Gerrard, Huddlestone, Frings, Ballack etc. do not have the similar influence on a game; an ocassional pass or two, a crack @ goal, a few crosses & that's that!
i'm talking of the vision, creativity, flair - that lil' extra that makes that individual the key man in midfield!

why d'u think Rafa has taken Gerrard outta the center of MF & onto the flanks?

why d'u think Rafa has taken Gerrard out of the center of MF & onto the flanks?

I guess that explains why Gerrard has been disappointing this season. It reminds me of West Brom's failure when they decided to play kanu as a standing 9, he rewarded them with 7 goals in 2 amazing seasons When you take a player out of his natural position, you are looking for trouble. Tell me what's with Jeffers and Riise/Bellamy? Why play Gerrard on the flanks? Gerrard likes to hold the midfield and shoot from outside the box, he is a good crosser but we all know what his preffered role is.

Riquelme is slow alright but can sure influence a game, i guess the best balance is having a player like Riquelme and the burstling type: Gerard in the same team, that way u get a bit of both, the burstling midfielders uaully get more results than the creative types but i guess it depends on the league ur playing in

Donzman:

Lampard can definitely pass and has good vision, he can also shoot the living daylight off the ball as well as hustle.

who?
playing pinball with the football? yes i agree but vision? pass?

RuuDie:

same applies 2 the Riquelme's, Zidane's, Schole's, Deco's, Kaka's, Alonso's, Diego's etc.
. . .they're very quiet, sometimes invisible in a game. . .

wrong! these guys are definitely not quiet or invisible. their teams often depend on them and they are highly man-marked. kaka is the top scorer in the CL!

someone's who's quiet and effective, and would definitely be playing a CM role in my dream team would be Xavi.

Pirlo and Kaka are the best.

Forza Milan