Who is the Best All-Around Player England Has Ever Produced?

[LGWIO]

As with most questions like this you have to be very focussed in the actual question to be able to make a reasoned judegment.
Max Woosnam wins it hands down if you are talking overall sporting talent...but are we just talking about football? Even Dennis Compton cannot match up to Max's sporting diversity and quality....and did Max & Dennis ever perform on a cold wet night in Stoke?
If it is purely football that we are talking about then do you have to look at a player who has played at the highest level in multiple positions?
You look at the likes of Paul Warhurst. OK a couple of good seasons and played all across the park and scored the odd goal but he isnt ever going to be up there with the greats...but he was an all rounder...Like Milner!
I see potential for Stones to be up there but would have to go along with many and say that it has to be a midfielder who could score goals but also put the work in and defend...so Charlton/Robson/Gerrard/Lampard

 

[dennishasdoneit]

Think age caught up with him mainly but still most were favourable of his time there

Wayne Rooney: Championship Player Watch - The Coaches' Voice

Wayne Rooney excelled in a new midfield role for Derby County before retiring from playing to become their manager

www.coachesvoice.com

Intresting website that..I wasn't aware of it.

 

[Lavinda Past]

Sticks in my throat to say it, but I've not seen many English players anywhere near as good as Bryan Robson. He had the lot.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

Agree.. like Colin Bell, Paul Madeley cruised around a football pitch and made playing in any position (which he did for Leeds, apart from goalkeeper*) look like it was a doddle.

For me, he was the ultimate 'Protean' player.. like Colin Bell, would be worth £gazillions on the transfer market at today's prices..

(* curiously, another 60s/70s great, the glorious Martin Peters, actually did play in every position including goalkeeper for West Ham)

They used to say about Martin Peters,he was ahead of his time.
Famous for ghosting into the pen area ,unmarked,to score.
Didnt know he played every position Inc goalkeeper for WHU.
Not much is said nowadays about this quiet,professional,well respected world cup winner.
Anybody else see him play ?

 

[dennishasdoneit]

He was a belting player mate, and is absolutely up there !

Sadly, I remember watching one of his last games for WBA (against us) when we were in the process of buying Steve Daley, I just stood there with my head in my hands going “no, no, no” as he completely dominated the game for them and rinsed us, great player.

Was that the 3-1 home defeat to Albion when Cyrille Regis nearly broke the net with that cannonball strike...

 

[dennishasdoneit]

Paul McGrath was born in England(Middlesex)
Just saying like..

 

[Vienna_70]

Great point made about many players losing their prime years .
Very sad that.

Frank Swift would probably be our appearance record holder, if it wasn’t for WWII.

 

[Dirty Harry]

Was that the 3-1 home defeat to Albion when Cyrille Regis nearly broke the net with that cannonball strike...

I’m not too sure mate, I think the rags signed Robson shortly after the game I’m thinking of.

 

[bondsman]

Gaz Baz had a hell of a career played fullback across midfield. Chipped in with goals. Not a flair player but I’d imagine he was loved by managers and teammates alike for what he brought to the team.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

Gaz Baz had a hell of a career played fullback across midfield. Chipped in with goals. Not a flair player but I’d imagine he was loved by managers and teammates alike for what he brought to the team.

I always think that any player who was an essential part of Hughes team,.. then adapt to a totally different tactical set up under Mancini,again playing every week means he's special.
Invaluable on the 2012 title run in,so many inceterceptions,no fuss,consummate professional. Mr consistent throughout his career.