Steven Gerrard will come up against his cousin Anthony Gerrard during the Carling Cup Final on Sunday, and whilst there's a healthy professional respect between the two, there's no real family loyalty from the Cardiff defender on when it comes to one particular issue.
Reds captain Gerrard is widely renowned to be one the best midfielders in the world, but according to his cousin, there's one player who's ahead of him in the quality stakes. Gerrard told the BBC:
"The only player I'd put ahead of him [Gerrard] in the midfielder stakes - and just for what he's achieved in the last 4 years - is Xavi. That's the only player in the world ahead of him to be honest".
I don't think many people would disagree that Barcelona's Xavi is one of the best midfielders in the world, but he's a totally different kind of player to Gerrard, so perhaps the comparison is not wholly valid.
If both players were in their prime, who would you choose to have in your team? It's a tough one, and I think it depends entirely on how the team is set-up to play. Could Gerrard go into Barca's team and do the same job as Xavi? Could Xavi come into the Liverpool team of 2004-2009 and have the personal impact that Gerrard had?
The Cardiff Gerrard also warned that he will not go easy on his cousin if things go down to the wire:
"If push comes to shove and he's going through one-on-one with us 1-0, I think he knows he's being taken down to be honest. If it's cousin on cousin, I think words will be getting exchanged, but after all is said and done, you're still family; you get on with it, and be happy for whoever wins".
Jaimie Kanwar
Reds captain Gerrard is widely renowned to be one the best midfielders in the world, but according to his cousin, there's one player who's ahead of him in the quality stakes. Gerrard told the BBC:
"The only player I'd put ahead of him [Gerrard] in the midfielder stakes - and just for what he's achieved in the last 4 years - is Xavi. That's the only player in the world ahead of him to be honest".
I don't think many people would disagree that Barcelona's Xavi is one of the best midfielders in the world, but he's a totally different kind of player to Gerrard, so perhaps the comparison is not wholly valid.
If both players were in their prime, who would you choose to have in your team? It's a tough one, and I think it depends entirely on how the team is set-up to play. Could Gerrard go into Barca's team and do the same job as Xavi? Could Xavi come into the Liverpool team of 2004-2009 and have the personal impact that Gerrard had?
The Cardiff Gerrard also warned that he will not go easy on his cousin if things go down to the wire:
"If push comes to shove and he's going through one-on-one with us 1-0, I think he knows he's being taken down to be honest. If it's cousin on cousin, I think words will be getting exchanged, but after all is said and done, you're still family; you get on with it, and be happy for whoever wins".
Jaimie Kanwar
We had better in Xabi Alonso. Gerrard is all round the best midfielder in the world without a doubt. England hasn't had a better midfielder than Gerrard since the days of Paul Ince. Xavi would not have the impact that Gerrard had he's too intricate with his passing Gerrard takes risks and from 2001-2009 he gave his all every single match. I don't think Xavi would handle the fast paced, tough tackling that is the premier league. My honest opinion.
ReplyDeleteXavi may be a superior passer with better vision, but Gerrard is a far better player in that his all round ability enables him to excel in many different positions and he can slot into any team in the world. You cannot say the same for Xavi. It is unlikely Xavi can mark Ronaldinho out of a game, albeit a friendly. Xavi doesn't have the pace or power to play as a striker, one of the 2 roles Gerrard excelled in under Rafa. As a winger, Gerrard has just about won games on his own. Xavi is pointless without players just as good surrounding him. It is true Gerrard will never be able to distribute the ball as well as Xavi, but Xavi is hardly the person you'd turn to at a goal down. Xavi may be central to a team attempting to hog the ball, but he certainly won't be the one putting in the tackles to get it back the way Gerrard would.
ReplyDeleteI think in matters of skill it's Gerrard all the way, possibly even when it comes to his passing technique. But when it comes to vision and tactics, I don't think you can beat Xavi. There are very few players that can read a game like he can. Ultimately, the decisive factor would be that Gerrard is an incredible captain, possibly the best there was for the past few years in top tier football and that's just invaluable to a club.
ReplyDeleteXavi is definitely better player technically but Gerrard is more complete player. Honestly, few years back Gerrard was the best but currently there is no match for Xavi and Gerrard is not even close to Xavi, infact rightnow nobody is as good as Xavi.
ReplyDeletecould xavi pull liverpool through all those games in the past we maybe should not of won. simple. NO.
ReplyDeleteI see delusion runs in the family!
ReplyDelete