My definition: world-class is a player that’s either the best in his position in the world or very close to the best player in this position.
For example, you could argue that Harry Kane is the best striker in the world right now (and that’s coming from an Arsenal fan!), but Haaland obviously deserves the same label.
With that in mind, I would say Saka, Rice, and Saliba are there. Odegaard and Martinelli are very close, I think Ben White was in that second group last season too.
Well, they are quite often not getting the clear ones, aren’t they? That’s the big problem, there are many situations that could go either way and only fans of the team on the receiving end would be frustrated (probably the recent Newcastle goal and the potential foul against Gabriel belongs there).
However, when someone forgets to draw the offside line, draws it incorrectly, or doesn’t understand what the on-field decision was, something’s very wrong. Add to that blatant penalties not given (Onana vs Wolves springs to mind) and VAR completely loses credibility.
How could you forget! One of my favorite games of all time, such a joy to watch both team going for it from the first minute to the every last.
They are in the same ballpark, the one in form is usually better.
“Can he do it on a cold Monday night in Stoke?” about Messi has to be my all-time favorite. I think Andy Gray produced this gem, but I might be wrong.
According to Ten Hag and Borussia Dortmund, even if they didn’t use the same words.