How Many Top 6 Quality Players Do We Have?

White Noise · February 03, 2011, 09:22:16 PM

I have asked this question, or ones similar, on and off in recent years and its an interesting benchmark of how we are progressing as a side.

A few years ago I was asking how many players we had who were sufficiently good that they would attractive to top 10 teams - and it wasn't so long ago when the answer was 1 - Simon Davies.

I ask the question 'top 6' now because I think we have the making of a top 7 side.

So, if we say 'top 6' is say 'Man Utd, Arsenal, Man City, Chel****, Liverpool & Spurs
- which of our players are good enough to be snapped up by one of the above?

If all our squad was put on the market tomorrow, and if the clubs above had vacancies, who could expect to command the interest of the top clubs?

mccscratch · February 03, 2011, 09:31:08 PM

Dembele (top 4 quality) Hangeland (top 6, maybe top 4 squad) Dempsey (top 6) Zamora (top 6 squad)

jarv · February 03, 2011, 09:37:15 PM

I would add Schwartzer and captain Dan. The way he is playing now he could do for any team. Very similar to what gary McAllister achieved at Liverpool when everyone thought he was in decline. (and Liverpool were a top 6 team).

Tom · February 03, 2011, 09:39:04 PM

Quote from: mccscratch on February 03, 2011, 09:31:08 PM
Dembele (top 4 quality) Hangeland (top 6, maybe top 4 squad) Dempsey (top 6) Zamora (top 6 squad)

I agree with this list. Hopefully in a couple years we can put Stockdale on the list.

mccscratch · February 03, 2011, 09:46:23 PM

Quote from: jarv on February 03, 2011, 09:37:15 PM
I would add Schwartzer and captain Dan. The way he is playing now he could do for any team. Very similar to what gary McAllister achieved at Liverpool when everyone thought he was in decline. (and Liverpool were a top 6 team).

Wont disagree because obviously Arsenal were in for Schwarzer (we were lead to believe anyway) and Danny can certainly play but do you think teams would pay a transfer fee for him or just take him into the squad on a free?

The Bronsons · February 03, 2011, 10:17:01 PM

Danny and Schwartzer clearly have the quality but can't see them being bought now by a top six side because of age. (Schwartzer's last chance was last summer.)

I'd add Stockdale to mccscratch's four - he's young enough and good enough to make no. 3 keeper in a top six side - and probably go straight out on loan.

jarv · February 03, 2011, 10:22:02 PM

All too hypothetical now. Murphy is playing so well this season he is almost priceless due to his value for Fulham. We got him at the right time and allowed him to play the right way. Older players tend not to command high transfer fees these days.
Watch the top teams. Often I watch and think....they need a Danny Murphy out there.

SmithyFFC · February 03, 2011, 10:22:48 PM

Murphy a few years ago pheraps, defiantley Schwarzer and Hangeland, pheraps Dembele and at a push Aaron Hughes.

NogoodBoyo · February 03, 2011, 11:42:49 PM

I'm glad FF2 added Hughes (even if a bit iffily).
I believe Hughes and Hangeland are the best defensive pair in the league, so they would be a top 4 pairing.
Murphy would be a great signing for any top 6 looking for stability, reliability and creativity in their midfield.
Dembele is the best signing of the season. Only 23 years old and came for just 5 large. Top 4
If Zamora hadn't have received that horrible injury from that horrid little man and had maintained a modicum of last year's form, we would have struggled to have kept him last month. A definite top 4 on last year's form, but he is unlikely to perform that well this season. Players need a lot of time to reclaim their sharpness after horrific injuries with long lay-offs like that.
Dempsey? A really great, versatile player who scores goals from anywhere. I don't think he'd get the games at a top 6 club. He'd be a bench-warmer - and I have a horrible feeling someone might see him as such next summer and test his ambition.
Schwartser. Possible Top 6 in the VDS mold.
Stockdale. Possible Top 6 as one for the future. But, he needs to get in the gym and lose a bit of weight if he wants to get to the very top and stay there.
Nogood "a great backbone to a solid Prem team we have here, isit" Boyo

MrFFC · February 04, 2011, 03:01:33 PM

Schwarzer , Hangeland , Dempsey , Dembele and Zamora

epsomraver · February 04, 2011, 03:35:37 PM

Add Hughes to that list and I would agree.real unsung hero week in week out.

BalDrick · February 04, 2011, 03:40:17 PM

Dembele, Schwarzer and (probably) Hangeland.

And Chris Baird of course!

LRCN · February 04, 2011, 04:08:04 PM

schwarzer, hangeland, dempsey, dembele, zamora i'd say. not sure about hughes because as good as he is he needs a very specific type of player alongside him, whereas most top 6 centre backs can play effectively alongside almost anyone.

jarv · February 04, 2011, 04:39:16 PM

The list gets longer. So, if most of us are agreed, there is probably 6 top 6 players. All we need is 5 more then we finish in the top 6. :drums:

epsomraver · February 04, 2011, 04:42:57 PM

No we wouldn't cos 'arry would come along and buy them all :dead horse:

The Equalizer · February 04, 2011, 04:45:24 PM

Eddie Johnson. I'm really surprised we chucked him out on loan, we should've kept him and sold him to Liverpool for £40 million.

Yarden · February 04, 2011, 04:50:35 PM

Hangeland would get into city, spurs and arsenal starting lineup so he is top 4 quality no doubt!

BalDrick · February 04, 2011, 06:50:08 PM

Have to say, I really don't think Zamora or Deuce are top 6 material. They're certainly top half material, but I think that's what we are as a team.

White Noise · May 28, 2012, 07:44:06 AM

How about now?

valdeingruo · May 28, 2012, 08:21:37 AM

Quote from: White Noise on May 28, 2012, 07:44:06 AM
How about now?

Well seeing as you didnt mean bottom six (zamora ;) ) Hangeland Dembele Dempsey Riise

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How Many Top 6 Quality Players Do We Have?

White Noise

Yarden

White Noise