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Who has the potential to be world class?

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JohnnyRocket

JohnnyRocket

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I’m reminded of Gareth Bale with this post. A young left back that was struggling to find his feet at Tottenham. Yet in the space of a year out of nowhere had transformed himself into one of the best wingers in the game. Since Bale I've been looking out for a player in our ranks who could make a similar jump from obscurity to world class in a short space of time - young players who have the ability to burst onto the scene with an incredible season that catapults them to be seen as one of the best in the world.

Do we have any gems with the potential to become world class within a couple of seasons? And who’s the most likely?

Alexander Arnold: Seems like the obvious one. Massive potential, but not necessarily at right back. Could easily end up further forward or even in the centre of midfield.

Grugic: Not seen much of him so far. But is there a Patrick Vieira under all that rawness?

Moreno: I know, I know, he’s been pretty awful up to now. But I don’t know. I keep thinking that if he has a good run of games and his confidence swells, he does have some raw tools to become a great left back or even left winger.

Gomez: Missing for two years. Is there a quality centre back or right back there?

Woodburn: Not sure what position he’ll end up, but the lad keeps impressing. We’ve seen many like him fade away to nothing though.

Solanke: Seems like the type of forward who has a decent helping of quite few attributes. Need to see more of him though.
 
Hard to say. Bale has always been a gifted runner. Built like a sprinter almost. That gave him a good base to build on.

The only one who's close to having the same type of athletic ability is TAA.
 
Modo said:
Hard to say. Bale has always been a gifted runner. Built like a sprinter almost. That gave him a good base to build on.

The only one who's close to having the same type of athletic ability is TAA.
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Gomez and Solanke are both pretty tall, big and quick.
 
Modo said:
But they don't have the same athleticism imo.
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I just remember Bale being really shit. Yeah he was quick, but i wouldn't say that he stood out as being particularly athletic. If he had stayed as a LB he would have been a flopped. Pure fluke got him a try further forward and he blossomed.
 
manwithnoname said:
Well, if you mean they're not as quick, no. Given that Bale is one of the fastest footballers on the planet.
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Fucking Mark Gonzalez was quick.
To be athletic imo is to combine strength, agility and quickness.
Players like Ronaldo, the fat one too when he was at his best, Alaba, Bale, Gerrard etc are or were amazingly fit.
Of course being a physical beast on the pitch doesn't constitute greatness but the OP used Bale as an example.
 
I think World Class might be too big a jump for them all.

Gomez, Solanke and TAA could all have long top flight careers though
 
I don't see good things in the future of Joe Gomez. Once he moves to the centre he'll be exposed to the full extent of Klopp's tactical approach, being constantly raped by mediocre players, and thus never get the praise and international recognition his ability might otherwise have warranted.
 
I think when you're talking in terms that everyone uses differently they could all already be, or all never get anywhere near being world class.
 
There's been some hilarious threads on here about what "world class" means. Quite often they get a bit fighty.
 
Alexander-Arnold has huge potential. And I have high hopes for Rhian Brewster. But they both need time and patience, they'll have dips in form, and they have yet to even finish growing, but they've bags of talent.
 
gkmacca said:
Alexander-Arnold has huge potential. And I have high hopes for Rhian Brewster. But they both need time and patience, they'll have dips in form, and they have yet to even finish growing, but they've bags of talent.
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my worry is a bad game will happen and they'll get an unfair amount of shit while they're still young. Could knock them
 
Fabio said:
my worry is a bad game will happen and they'll get an unfair amount of shit while they're still young. Could knock them
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Yes, true. Thankfully both of them seem to have excellent attitudes, so hopefully they'll get through it.
 
gkmacca said:
Yes, true. Thankfully both of them seem to have excellent attitudes, so hopefully they'll get through it.
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Attitude so far seems excellent (for TAA at least, know little of brewster), but at youth level a bad performance gets minimal reception outside the club itself. Bad performance for the first team... Back pages, phone ins, twitter abuse, internet forums... Then there's the potential here of racial abuse from proper bellends... Thats a different beast

I hope and pray they can see through the shite and not let the bastards get them down
 
Fabio said:
Attitude so far seems excellent (for TAA at least, know little of brewster), but at youth level a bad performance gets minimal reception outside the club itself. Bad performance for the first team... Back pages, phone ins, twitter abuse, internet forums... Then there's the potential here of racial abuse from proper bellends... Thats a different beast

I hope and pray they can see through the shite and not let the bastards get them down
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Yes. By the way, the LFCTV people have done an interview with Brewster that ought to be on YouTube soon. He seems very down to earth and sensible. And for me he represents our best prospect for a bona fide striker since Owen. There's just something about him, he's looking increasingly impressive.
 
I still haven't figured out what Woodburn is. Striker? Second striker? Attacking midfielder? Winger?
 
Oh-ooh...look who's been advising him:

“They all give me advice, but I have to say Lucas gave me a lot of advice because there was a time when he played for the U23s at Arsenal last year. From then on, he gave me a lot of advice and really helped me to settle in when I first came to Melwood. He was a big personality and big influence on me.”
 
Modo said:
I still haven't figured out what Woodburn is. Striker? Second striker? Attacking midfielder? Winger?
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Well, he hasn't yet figured that out himself. I still maintain his line of least resistance is playing as a striker, but his game around the area has improved dramatically in the past year. I wouldn't say winger but there are a few options for him.
 
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