Jude Bellingham

[Horatio]

He’s class to me. Suffered from some weird tactical decisions by Ancelotti in preceding games.

But let me raise another point that has been discussed regarding Vini but is equally applicable to Bellingham.

Should be way more booked as well than is. Always see him yelling at ref in face.

 

[Maradona37]

All true but Bellingham is a very useful player regardless. Madrid won the double all on his back last season. He almost won Dortmund the league and it'd happen if not for teammates. Even this season, when Real is in terrible form, he scores some clutch goals and gives it all in absolute key moments. Same for England of course that he saved from historical embarrassment against Slovakia with something not many players could do in his place.

This is what I appreciate about him. He is definitely overrated but that's fairly expected. 21 year old, English, fairly good looking - it gives you much more recognition than you actually deserve. But that doesn't mean he is some dude who's clueless about football and plays dumb on the pitch. He will also most likely improve over the years in many aspects of his game as he's still very young.

Yeah never denied he is good at popping up with them moments. That's not the issue. The issue is if those moments would be needed if they had fewer players who were moments players in the first place. If you get me. It's a hypothetical thing.

I agree with your second para - I have never said he isn't a quality player, or doesn't have a degree of ability outside the box. I just think his talents definitely lean into stats more. I am not saying he's a donkey in general play. It's a push back to all the new Zidane (he is nothing like him) and best in the world and potential all-time great. I think that's well over the top. BUT that doesn't mean I don't rate him as a quality player. Like you say he will likely become more nuanced with age in other facets of the game as he's still 21.

If you get me.

 

[jamrock]

No coincidence his form has improved, since Vini or Mbappe have gotten injured, which gives him more space in the final 3rd.

The only position he has in carlo's 442, is at the top of the diamond.

It's not insult to say he's one of the best midfielders in the world, in the A.M position.

If he drops out of that position he becomes 30% less effective, if he stops scoring, he adds significantly less to the team, outside of his "work rate" which tells you everything you need to do.

If you were to have him and Olmo, and you needed one to drop deeper and play in the actual midfield, their is really only one choice anyone who knows football would make.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Have to admit this guy was a beast against Valencia, 100% ambitious to win that match. Super at creating from chances and creating space.

 

[Temptation]

Have to admit this guy was a beast against Valencia, 100% ambitious to win that match. Super at creating from chances and creating space.

Clutch

 

[Rassvet]

9 goals and 4 assists in his last 12 matches

Even in the same team as Vini and Mbappe, he's still HIM

 

[jamrock]

9 goals and 4 assists in his last 12 matches

Even in the same team as Vini and Mbappe, he's still HIM

Him who?

 

[Joan]

Caught up on the insightful debate here. So, what’s the verdict, lads? Hot or not?

 

[Maradona37]

Caught up on the insightful debate here. So, what’s the verdict, lads? Hot or not?

Yeah it is a bit weird to discuss some players' looks but Tempt kept dragging me into it. I don't really care, other than Ronaldo who I never understood how any women liked him.

But yeah, should stop outside of Caffe Catalonia.

 

[Joan]

Yeah it is a bit weird to discuss some players' looks but Tempt kept dragging me into it. I don't really care, other than Ronaldo who I never understood how any women liked him.

But yeah, should stop outside of Caffe Catalonia.

Actually, it’s very a propos this time.

There are definitely biases in football. Pretty privilege and English origin make for a killer combo. I’d argue it’s more about historical perception, in the sense that it’s only going to get worse with time. So buckle up. That said, opinions are usually grounded. Ronaldo isn’t compared to Messi because he’s a good-looking freak but because he consistently delivered an output comparable to Messi’s and at times managed to outshine him.

Cracking player Jude, btw.

 

[Maradona37]

Actually, it’s very a propos this time.

There are definitely biases in football. Pretty privilege and English origin make for a killer combo. I’d argue it’s more about historical perception, in the sense that it’s only going to get worse with time. So buckle up. That said, opinions are usually grounded. Ronaldo isn’t compared to Messi because he’s a good-looking freak but because he consistently delivered an output comparable to Messi’s and at times managed to outshine him.

Cracking player Jude, btw.

I disagree about Ronaldo (both on his looks, i don't rate his looks and many women don't too and the other stuff, Messi was far better at football outside of just stats). I don't think Ronaldo comes close to Messi, but we can disagree there.

Bellingham to me is a good player but more of an end product man. Like myself and others have said he's not great in the middle of midfield but he's brilliant at doing something near the box.

But I get your point about pretty privilege in general.

 

[Joan]

I disagree about Ronaldo lol (both on his looks, i don't rate his looks and many women don't too and the other stuff, Messi was far better at football outside of just stats). I don't think Ronaldo comes close to Messi, but we can disagree there.

Bellingham to me is a good player but more of an end product man. Like myself and others have said he's not great in the middle of midfield but he's brilliant at doing something near the box.

But I get your point about pretty privilege in general.

We actually agree about Ronaldo

But there are levels to the argument. Some people follow football closely and develop their own criteria, they can lean either way. Then there’s the majority that either skim through matches or don’t watch football at all, instead consuming low-quality content. The kind of content that lacks substance, but needs something to latch onto. That’s where stats and trophies come into play. Ronaldo’s achieved impressive things that allowed him to enter the debate and remain there. The debate is more often than not like rolling in the mud with pigs, but it’s still a debate. As we've seen over the years here. Once Messi started winning international trophies, things naturally became more one sided.

Just because you don’t rate the criteria, doesn’t mean it’s about pretty privilege.

 

[Maradona37]

We actually agree about Ronaldo

But there are levels to the argument. Some people follow football closely and develop their own criteria, they can lean either way. Then there’s the majority that either skim through matches or don’t watch football at all, instead consuming low-quality content. The kind of content that lacks substance, but needs something to latch onto. That’s where stats and trophies come into play. Ronaldo’s achieved impressive things that allowed him to enter the debate and remain there. The debate is more often than not like rolling in the mud with pigs, but it’s still a debate. As we've seen over the years here. Once Messi started winning international trophies, things naturally became more one sided.

Just because you don’t rate the criteria, doesn’t mean it’s about pretty privilege.

True. I agree with you. Many people will boil it down to stats even though they shouldn't. I agree there. I just posted in Ronaldo's thread about it.

Thinking Messi is Ronaldo's superior is a popular opinion, the general consensus. However, thinking he's much better, as I do, is less common. It's about the disparity.

Like you say there are levels to the argument - lots of people watch these guys more on a surface level and go by stats and trophies and the media, which does Ronaldo a favour with the comparison in order to make money. They should not, but they do.

I don't really think it's about pretty privilege, though I would say that most of Ronaldo's fanboys have a closeted homosexual love for him and his whole fake 'alpha male' image appeals to these incel, red pill types. He's very big with extreme right-wing types and in countries in the Middle East that look down on women. His overall image is a massive part of why they like him, the football is just another part of it.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

Best finisher at Real, ham is unfortunately a great player

 

[El Gato]

Also the best attacking player far as contributing defensively. Could improve small bits i.e. heading threat and will be a complete player
Already most valuable in attack and buildup