Author Topic: Xabi Alonso (Read 337060 times)

Sheer Magnetism · « **Reply #3240 on:** September 4, 2016, 02:10:52 pm »

He was probably underrated at the time because it was just before Barcelona started winning everything in sight with that Guardiola all-out possession football, which was when controllers came back into vogue in a big way, and also just before football coverage became much more involved with tactics. It was far easier to look at a matchwinner like Stevie and see what he brought to the team. Wonderful player though, can you imagine how much we'd have won if we'd somehow been able to keep that midfield three together? Amazing to think that Lucas and Yossi were the understudies in that midfield.

alonsoisared · « **Reply #3241 on:** September 5, 2016, 06:06:48 pm »

He was also underrated due to the media and their obsession with us being a one man team in order to have a go at rafa. For a while every man and his dog called us a one man team, then by 2008 we were a two man team (torres) and it was only once rafa was sacked and his team dismantled and playing abroad that the media and general football fans agreed how talented the likes of reina, mascherano and alonso were.

Kopenhagen · « **Reply #3242 on:** September 17, 2016, 06:49:16 pm »

Another good goal today. 2 in 3 for him now.

Keith Lard · « **Reply #3243 on:** September 20, 2016, 08:32:33 pm »

If you had the choice between having Gerrard or Alonso in your team for their entire career, who would you choose?

I was pondering this just now. Dead heat for me.

rscanderlech · « **Reply #3244 on:** September 20, 2016, 08:35:51 pm »

Quote from: Vishy on September 20, 2016, 08:32:33 pm

If you had the choice between having Gerrard or Alonso in your team for their entire career, who would you choose?

I was pondering this just now. Dead heat for me.

Depends on who else you had in the team and what you need more.

CraigDS · « **Reply #3245 on:** September 20, 2016, 08:47:07 pm »

Quote from: Vishy on September 20, 2016, 08:32:33 pm

If you had the choice between having Gerrard or Alonso in your team for their entire career, who would you choose?

I was pondering this just now. Dead heat for me.

Gerrard. Easy choice for me, as much as I love Alonso.

Corkboy · « **Reply #3246 on:** September 20, 2016, 09:45:43 pm »

Alonso. Glorious and all as Gerrard was, I don't think he ever really fit any team he played for, and I imagine the same would have applied if he'd gone elsewhere. Gerrard was just an outstanding one off who was too good to leave out of any team, whereas Alonso could knit a team together. It was no coincidence that Gerrard had his best season out right with Alonso pulling the strings inside.

rafathegaffa83 · « **Reply #3247 on:** September 21, 2016, 12:06:04 am »

Quote from: Vishy on September 20, 2016, 08:32:33 pm

If you had the choice between having Gerrard or Alonso in your team for their entire career, who would you choose?

I was pondering this just now. Dead heat for me.

Alonso. Every day of the week.

Coolie High · « **Reply #3248 on:** September 21, 2016, 12:06:55 am »

Gerrard, a one off talent.

Coolie High · « **Reply #3249 on:** September 21, 2016, 12:14:09 am »

Quote from: Corkboy on September 20, 2016, 09:45:43 pm

Alonso. Glorious and all as Gerrard was, I don't think he ever really fit any team he played for, and I imagine the same would have applied if he'd gone elsewhere. Gerrard was just an outstanding one off who was too good to leave out of any team, whereas Alonso could knit a team together. It was no coincidence that Gerrard had his best season out right with Alonso pulling the strings inside.

Hyperbole to say he never 'fit'.

And last comment is arguable, Alonso is just as reliant on other players and factors as Gerrard have him in the wrong set up and he can be badly exposed also, Benitez knitted that team together not Xabi, and Gerrard was on his way to super stardom long before he played alongside Alonso

Sheer Magnetism · « **Reply #3250 on:** September 21, 2016, 12:51:55 am »

Quote from: Vishy on September 20, 2016, 08:32:33 pm

If you had the choice between having Gerrard or Alonso in your team for their entire career, who would you choose?

I was pondering this just now. Dead heat for me.

They're both exceptional players but it would have to be Gerrard, both because of his versatility and because he's a game winner. Alonso is terrific but I feel he's more reliant on having great players around him than Gerrard.

Clayton Bigsby · « **Reply #3251 on:** September 21, 2016, 06:08:42 am »

Gerrard but Alonso is pure quality

Gerrard we wont see ther likes of again i dont think

Geppvindh's · « **Reply #3252 on:** September 21, 2016, 07:04:43 am »

Stibby all the time.

Keith Lard · « **Reply #3253 on:** September 21, 2016, 07:41:30 pm »

See how I derailed things ...

I'd make a terrible train driver

alonsoisared · « **Reply #3254 on:** September 21, 2016, 07:55:47 pm »

Anyone saying Alonso is wrong

Seriously though, I would take Gerrard without hesitation. Alonso is and was a magnificent player but Gerrard was a once in a generation type. Stick him in any team ever and he'd win them matches and drag them to another level. There's no comparison in my opinion.

Phil M · « **Reply #3255 on:** September 21, 2016, 08:52:23 pm »

Quote from: alonsoisared on September 21, 2016, 07:55:47 pm

Anyone saying Alonso is wrong

Seriously though, I would take Gerrard without hesitation. Alonso is and was a magnificent player but Gerrard was a once in a generation type. Stick him in any team ever and he'd win them matches and drag them to another level. There's no comparison in my opinion.

Agreed.

Xabi is one of the best of his generation undoubtedly the sexy bastard.

Corkboy · « **Reply #3256 on:** September 21, 2016, 09:01:37 pm »

Quote from: alonsoisared on September 21, 2016, 07:55:47 pm

Anyone saying Alonso is wrong

Seriously though, I would take Gerrard without hesitation. Alonso is and was a magnificent player but Gerrard was a once in a generation type. Stick him in any team ever and he'd win them matches and drag them to another level.

Like he did with England?

Roger Federer · « **Reply #3257 on:** September 21, 2016, 09:27:45 pm »

Gerrard is the better player, but if I were a manager I'd chose Xabi first.

I just love that type of player and think that such deeplying playmakers with his combination of skill, intelligence and defensive awareness are almost unique. Gerrard, in terms of how much he could do on the pitch is even more rare as an individual, but in his best position (attacking central midfielder/second striker imo) there are more players who can have a similar impact than it is in the role Xabi plays. You've got Pirlo - although he isn't nearly as good defensively - in the last 10-15 years, but practically no one else (not counting the likes of Xavi and Scholes who usually played a bit further forward).

alonsoisared · « **Reply #3258 on:** September 22, 2016, 08:24:33 pm »

Quote from: Corkboy on September 21, 2016, 09:01:37 pm

Like he did with England?

plenty of times he carried england and based on performances he was made captain far too late on imo. Plus infamously that midfield had been mismanaged for years which didnt help him. I think hes gone down as one of few england players over the last decade or so that didnt let the team down, even if he never istanbul-ed them to a world cup win.

Did Alonso prepel Spain to another level? A wonderful piece of a wonderful puzzle he was but there were plenty others that could slot in and do his job. I dont think there is any player, arguably ever, that could have slotted in to do Gerrard's job at Liverpool. Thats the difference.

stevieG786 · « **Reply #3259 on:** September 23, 2016, 12:17:20 am »

Quote from: Vishy on September 20, 2016, 08:32:33 pm

If you had the choice between having Gerrard or Alonso in your team for their entire career, who would you choose?

I was pondering this just now. Dead heat for me.

Stevie all day

zabadoh · « **Reply #3260 on:** September 23, 2016, 08:13:43 am »

Xabi for me.

As much as I love Stevie, we played better with Xabi and without Steve than vice versa.

Keith Lard · « **Reply #3261 on:** October 29, 2016, 04:22:30 am »

Quote from: stevieG786 on September 23, 2016, 12:17:20 am

Stevie all day

After much pondering it's no longer even a debate for me. Stevie by a country mile.

Ken-Obi · « **Reply #3262 on:** October 29, 2016, 05:25:37 am »

Stevie is considered one of the greatest alongside Kenny in the club's history. Seldom, if ever, for Xabi to be referred to in the same way.

That should make my choice clear.

It's Diomede.

Curious about Andy@Allerton's choice.

King Klopp. · « **Reply #3263 on:** October 29, 2016, 11:55:19 am »

Xabi over Stevie?

The ONLY reason you might choose Xabi is because Xabi was as if not better at 34 than 24 whereas Stevie was half the player. And I say that as a Xabi fanboy who'd still ave Xabi back.

Lush is the best medicine... · « **Reply #3264 on:** October 29, 2016, 03:07:23 pm »

Stevie had a higher peak, xabi had a longer one and is still playing for Bayern regularly in his mid 30s whereas Gerrard is in MLS so I'd probably go with Xabi just for the entirety of his career

andspecks · « **Reply #3265 on:** October 29, 2016, 07:54:34 pm »

Quote from: Sheev-Palpatine on October 29, 2016, 05:25:37 am

Stevie is considered one of the greatest alongside Kenny in the club's history. Seldom, if ever, for Xabi to be referred to in the same way.

That should make my choice clear.

It's Diomede.

Curious about Andy@Allerton's choice.

Pretty sure Andy would even pick Lucas over Stevie tbf.

gazzalfc · « **Reply #3266 on:** January 18, 2017, 09:41:30 am »

Will retire from football at the end of the season

Yorkykopite · « **Reply #3267 on:** January 18, 2017, 09:43:48 am »

Quote from: gazzalfc on January 18, 2017, 09:41:30 am

Will retire from football at the end of the season

The final proof (if anyone still needed it) that Gareth Barry is the better player.

El Lobo · « **Reply #3268 on:** January 18, 2017, 10:53:38 am »

There'll only be a few players left playing from that 08/09 team soon

martinsquirtle · « **Reply #3269 on:** January 18, 2017, 11:38:45 am »

Absolute gem of a player. Will not be surprised to see him turn into an excellent manager.

Ray K · « **Reply #3270 on:** January 18, 2017, 11:52:00 am »

Quote from: martinsquirtle on January 18, 2017, 11:38:45 am

Absolute gem of a player. Will not be surprised to see him turn into an excellent manager.

God, we're all getting old. Even Xabi can't beat old father time.

If he doesn't become a top manager, with that brain and after spending his career coached by Rafa, Pep, del Bosque, Mourinho and Ancelotti I think we can forget about predicting any player becoming a top manager.

Best of luck to him, but I don't think the good-looking bastard will need it

paulrazor · « **Reply #3271 on:** January 18, 2017, 12:08:01 pm »

Quote from: Ray K on January 18, 2017, 11:52:00 am

God, we're all getting old. Even Xabi can't beat old father time.

If he doesn't become a top manager, with that brain and after spending his career coached by Rafa, Pep, del Bosque, Mourinho and Ancelotti I think we can forget about predicting any player becoming a top manager.

Best of luck to him, but I don't think the good-looking bastard will need it

jesus that is some list of managers

Roger Federer · « **Reply #3272 on:** January 18, 2017, 12:08:20 pm »

There have been better players, but none I've enjoyed watching more than Xabi Alonso. What a career and what a magnificent player.

paulrazor · « **Reply #3273 on:** January 18, 2017, 12:29:49 pm »

Quote from: Roger Federer on January 18, 2017, 12:08:20 pm

There have been better players, but none I've enjoyed watching more than Xabi Alonso. What a career and what a magnificent player.

you hit the nail on the head there pal

He is the best player i have seen live. I have seen both Ronaldos and the likes of Ronaldinho and totti. all arguably better players but he truly entertained me

i told people many a time he was worth the price of the ticket alone

always in space and put the ball around effortlessly . i absolutely loved seeing him live.

sinnermichael · « **Reply #3274 on:** January 18, 2017, 12:35:48 pm »

Abiding memory will always be him absolutely bossing the derby after Gerrard got sent off early doors.

Alf · « **Reply #3275 on:** January 18, 2017, 01:00:28 pm »

I remember Alonso getting buried in the press about a month and a half after we signed him for putting a few free kicks into the crowd at Stamford Bridge. A fortnight later we were 2-0 down at Fulham after 25 minutes and Salif Daio has started instead of him. The away end demanded Xabi Alonso he comes on at half time and we claw it back to 2-2 only for Josemi to get sent off. 2 minutes later we get a free kick which Alonso tucks away and he never looked back.

Crosby Nick · « **Reply #3276 on:** January 18, 2017, 01:15:19 pm »

Dial picked ahead of him, hard to imagine that ever seeming like a sensible decision!

Remember that 2-2 with Spurs from the 04/05 season? There was a compilation video knocking around that was incredible. Easily ten or more passes that made you stand and applaud.

Is there anyone from the Istanbul squad still playing? Scott Carson at a guess.

DangerScouse · « **Reply #3277 on:** January 18, 2017, 01:18:19 pm »

Quote from: Crosby Stills and Nick on January 18, 2017, 01:15:19 pm

Dial picked ahead of him, hard to imagine that ever seeming like a sensible decision!

Remember that 2-2 with Spurs from the 04/05 season? There was a compilation video knocking around that was incredible. Easily ten or more passes that made you stand and applaud.

Is there anyone from the Istanbul squad still playing? Scott Carson at a guess.

the two assists against Sunderland in there no doubt

pyroparty · « **Reply #3278 on:** January 18, 2017, 01:18:34 pm »

Time flies mannnnn, doesn't feel like that long ago we signed him as a youngster now he's retiring and Gerrard is gone. Meanwhile Enrico Chiesa's son is playing in the Fiorentina team and Kluiverts son come on as a sub for Ajax the other day.

paulrazor · « **Reply #3279 on:** January 18, 2017, 01:19:39 pm »

Quote from: Crosby Stills and Nick on January 18, 2017, 01:15:19 pm

Dial picked ahead of him, hard to imagine that ever seeming like a sensible decision!

Remember that 2-2 with Spurs from the 04/05 season? There was a compilation video knocking around that was incredible. Easily ten or more passes that made you stand and applaud.

Is there anyone from the Istanbul squad still playing? Scott Carson at a guess.

i was in prague in november and was told Milan Baros is still knocking about, but a much lower level than Liverpool obviously. Is Cisse still playing?

Quote from: sinnermichael on January 18, 2017, 12:35:48 pm

Abiding memory will always be him absolutely bossing the derby after Gerrard got sent off early doors.

didnt Van Der Meyde elbow Alonso to get red carded that day?

Xabi's last season he was the victim of a few red card tackles. Vidic and Lampard to name two. im sure there was about 5 though.

He wasnt afraid to get hurt. he missed a lot of his first season with broken foot. first game back against juventus he was immense. him and igor

wow