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Setting the Record Straight on Salah
This week, I found myself at the centre of a heated discussion regarding Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. I made the bold claim that Salah is not world class. While he is undoubtedly a brilliant winger with impressive goalscoring records and a wealth of achievements at Liverpool, I stand by my assertion. Let’s unpack what ‘world class’ really means in the realm of football.
Not a Personal Attack
Before diving deeper, I want to clarify that this is not a personal attack on Salah. I have a great deal of respect for him as a player and as a person. Having played against him numerous times, I can genuinely appreciate his skill and contribution to the game. However, I believe in speaking candidly rather than trying to appease everyone.
The Ambiguity of ‘World Class’
The term ‘world class’ is often thrown around in football discussions, but what does it actually signify? Unlike winning a Green Jacket at The Masters, which permanently designates you as a champion, the ‘world class’ label is fluid. It requires years of consistent performance to earn, yet can be lost in a matter of months. Some exceptional players may never even achieve this status during their careers.
Historical Context: Gary Neville vs. Roberto Carlos
Take Gary Neville, for example. He is one of the most decorated full-backs in football history, yet many consider Roberto Carlos and Cafu to be on another level. If I had Neville’s career, would I be bothered if someone said I wasn’t world class? Probably not. The subjective nature of this label means that no player is guaranteed to remain in this elite group forever, but there is always a path back.
Mbappe: A Case Study in Potential
Consider Kylian Mbappe. Despite his accolades and a high-profile move to Real Madrid, I would argue that he is not currently world class. His form has dipped compared to previous seasons, and while I believe he has the potential to reclaim that status, he has work to do. To be deemed world class, a player must elevate their team and consistently shine, not just rely on past achievements or shirt sales.
Assessing Salah’s Impact
Looking at Salah’s statistics—165 goals in 274 Premier League appearances—one might argue he deserves the title. Yet, it’s not solely about numbers; it’s about the overall impact on the team season after season. During my time at Watford, I witnessed Salah’s brilliance firsthand, but it wasn’t as simple as just stopping him to secure a win. Liverpool had other threats, notably Sadio Mane, who, in my view, was more influential during that period.
The Numbers Game: More Than Just Goals
If we judged players purely on statistics, then Bruno Fernandes would rank among the best midfielders globally, which he does not. This illustrates that numbers alone do not define a player’s quality or their world-class status. It’s about their ability to influence matches consistently.
Graeme Souness’ Definition of World Class
Graeme Souness once shared a theory on what it means to be world class: if you can walk into any starting XI in world football, you qualify. With that perspective, I’ve identified five players who, in my opinion, truly embody that world-class status. These are the individuals who could seamlessly integrate into any team on the planet.
Just My Opinion
Ultimately, this is merely my perspective on the matter. Football is full of differing opinions, and if someone disagrees with me, that’s perfectly acceptable. If Salah is preoccupied with my views, then perhaps he isn’t quite the world-class player we think he is.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://3pointsforawin.com/marcus-rashford-hits-the-gym-a-new-fight-for-fitness/
