Players You Like/admire

[Gem]

Generally, the players you like, you want at Chelsea, but are there football players out there you just admire, without the need to see them in a blue shirt?

Andres Iniesta is a favourite of mine, at 24 he's yet to reach his peak and he always looks to be constantly improving. His passing is sublime (ha, as I type, he plays a beautiful pass to Fabregas), his vision, weight of the pass and timing is more often than not spot on. When Xavi got injured for Barca (although they missed him like we'd miss Lampard), I thought he stepped up and filled his role admirably, a real touch of class. He also seems very humble too, no mouthing off on or off the field and no diving antics. Yes, seeing him in a Chelsea shirt would be fantastic, but I don't need to see him in one to enjoy watching him play.

On a less famous note, I've met Matt Holland (Charlton) several times, and he takes time to talk to everyone, sign an autograph and have a picture taken - much like when I met John Terry and Frank Lampard, no one or nothing was too much trouble, top attitude.

[bjd]

Generally, the players you like, you want at Chelsea, but are there football players out there you just admire, without the need to see them in a blue shirt?

Simple.

[dkw]

totally agree about iniesta. i think hes ridiculously underrated. does his job with a minimum of fuss, but does it very, very well. in a team of superstars, he stands out by not standing out (if that makes any sense).

[MURDOCH_(8)]

bjd is spot on. Maldini is the perfect example.

[loz]

If I had to choose non Chelsea players that I admire I would generally look for non football attributes. Some football related attributes such as club loyalty would come into play and on those grounds the likes of Le Tissier, Giggs, Maldini, Batistuta etc would be in the reckoning. Other players who are good to their word and don't screw their clubs around for money would also gain respect and in that category would fall the likes of Zola and Henrik Larsson.

(of course these are all examples of players who were 'loyal' when they were on good money - if that hadn't been the case who knows if we could have said the same thing about them.

So I guess I look for those players who have used their position as famous names to make a little difference in some way. In that category falls the likes of Lucas Radebe, Desailly, George Weah, David James ad also people like Bobby Robson (and many many more)

[andy]

Jimmy Bullard .. really like this bloke.. not just for his football (no coniencedence that Fulham survived after his return in my opinion) but he seems like a top bloke, plays with humour and smile on his face.

I posted once before, in these days of money grabbing robots the modern players are, it is nic eto have a real character int he game.

Hope he stays injury free for some time.

I am a huge Maldini fan also.

[bjd]

So I guess I look for those players who have used their position as famous names to make a little difference in some way. In that category falls the likes of Lucas Radebe, Desailly, George Weah, David James ad also people like Bobby Robson (and many many more)

Absolutely. Whack Geoff Thomas on that list too.

[Plavi26]

A non-chelsea player would probably be Roberto Baggio, always loved to watch him play. Chelsea player, anyone who makes an effort for the shirt, and I pretty much remember all the players since I started following Chelsea.

[SydneyChelsea]

Joey Barton.

[Gem]

Joey Barton.

Shove off.

[Elliott]

...Del Piero.

Seems to be one of those honest, hard working, and extremely talented footballers that have been around forever.

Thinking back to my early'ish days of watching the Champ's League, the name synonymous with that competition at the time was A.D.P...

Has won 3 awards in Italy for gentlemanly conduct.

A keen supporter of Cancer research.

The first player in Italy to be consecutive top goalscorer in both Serie B, and A...

And not only that, he listens to Oasis?!

Legend!

[barak81]

If I had to choose non Chelsea players that I admire I would generally look for non football attributes. Some football related attributes such as club loyalty would come into play and on those grounds the likes of Le Tissier, Giggs, Maldini, Batistuta etc would be in the reckoning. Other players who are good to their word and don't screw their clubs around for money would also gain respect and in that category would fall the likes of Zola and Henrik Larsson.

(of course these are all examples of players who were 'loyal' when they were on good money - if that hadn't been the case who knows if we could have said the same thing about them.

So I guess I look for those players who have used their position as famous names to make a little difference in some way. In that category falls the likes of Lucas Radebe, Desailly, George Weah, David James ad also people like Bobby Robson (and many many more)

Didnt i here some where that the drogs stoped a whole civil war ingle handedly?

[Tim W]

For me the answer to our midfield is here

[thespecial1]

iniesta!!! class act

[BLUENUT]

Didnt i here some where that the drogs stoped a whole civil war ingle handedly?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4633688.stm

[Nibs]

Jimmy Bullard is a good call Andy. He's a top bloke and I was even pleased Fulham stayed up this season, solely because of him.

I admire players that prolong their careers at a high level by just being totally dedicated and avoiding the wrong kind of headlines. The likes of Zola, Giggs & Gary Speed. And also, as much as Chelsea fans won't like him much because of the spells at Spurs and Man Utd, have to add Teddy Sheringham. Great footballer and a decent pro.

Edited July 2, 2008 by Nibs

[midlandblue]

Gary Mabutt

[just]

Bit more mundane I guess but one player I used to like was Ben Haim when he was at Bolton. Didn't pull up any trees with his technical skills but knew his job and always looked assured and solid as a central-defender. He was a very good player for Bolton. Don't know what the hell happened to him when he came to us.