GWT: EPL - Matchweek 2

[gary69]

If we go way back to old-timers. biggest what if strory is Stanley Matthews. He was a regular since 18 (played 17 matches before that), but then missed his possibly best years aged 25-30 because of war.

And even so played about 650 matches at top level (and over 700 in total). If he only could have changed the last 5 or seasons to those missed prime years, he still would have played until being cirka 40 years old.

Puskas was a starter between 18-37, but hard to say how tough were the other teams in Hungary during the first half of his career. Interesting comparison to him is Alfredo di Stefano, who was about same age, but was a starter from 20 - 40. I think potentially a player should have better years at 18-19 than late 30s, so ideally it would be better to break though as teenager rather than have more longevity towards the end of career. At least sportingwise, not sure if financially it's better the other way round.

Obvious player doing well in the matches played since their teenage years are James Milner, Gareth Barry and Ryan Giggs.

 

[gary69]

I feel like it's pretty common for guys who were nailed-on starters at 18 to have hit a wall by their late 20s? Especially forwards.

In his 17 year old season, he started 19 games in the Premier League. In his 18 year old season he started 24. In his 19 year old season, started 35.

Wingers and forwards that were starting that much and that young don't seem to have good longevity! By the time he was 28.5, Eden Hazard had played almost 30,000 league minutes - more than Sterling currently has, and at a younger age. He only played a few thousand more. Rooney is of course another classic example.

And I cannot think of many attackers who were nailed-on starters at 18 - and playing a lot in multiple competitions - who played at a high level deep into their 30s. Cristiano Ronaldo is honestly the only one who comes to mind. Other star players with good longevity weren't starting 20+ matches a season until they were 20 - even Messi didn't have a season of 25+ starts in La Liga until he was 22.

Not a starter quite yet 18, but Alan Shearer was a starter for his club from 19 to 36. Although it probably helped his longevity to quit international football with England aged 30.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Kane had 18 appearances as a 17 year old, 19 starts as an 18 year old and 28 appearances as a 19 year old and he's still a top man.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Not a starter quite yet 18, but Alan Shearer was a starter for his club from 19 to 36. Although it probably helped his longevity to quit international football with England aged 30.

Teddy Sheringham another who played in the top flight into his 40s.

 

[gary69]

Teddy Sheringham another who played in the top flight into his 40s.

He was 22 when he first showed up at top level, though. Not that Championship wasn't physically demanding for him in the seasons prior, but something to consider still.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

He was 22 when he first showed up at top level, though. Not that Champiomship wasn't physically demanding for him in the seasons prior, but something to consider still.

Think he had one prior season with Millwall in first division before they went back down, but yeah. Still, Ibrahimovich like longevity - he was still a good player when I was watching him with West Ham in 05-06.

 

[HeHateMeFrisbee]

Kane had 18 appearances as a 17 year old, 19 starts as an 18 year old and 28 appearances as a 19 year old and he's still a top man.

Style of play certainly factors into this I imagine

 

[Evilo]

If we go way back to old-timers. biggest what if strory is Stanley Matthews. He was a regular since 18 (played 17 matches before that), but then missed his possibly best years aged 25-30 because of war.

And even so played about 650 matches at top level (and over 700 in total). If he only could have changed the last 5 or seasons to those missed prime years, he still would have played until being cirka 40 years old.

Puskas was a starter between 18-37, but hard to say how tough were the other teams in Hungary during the first half of his career. Interesting comparison to him is Alfredo di Stefano, who was about same age, but was a starter from 20 - 40. I think potentially a player should have better years at 18-19 than late 30s, so ideally it would be better to break though as teenager rather than have more longevity towards the end of career. At least sportingwise, not sure if financially it's better the other way round.

Obvious player doing well in the matches played since their teenage years are James Milner, Gareth Barry and Ryan Giggs.

Henry. Anelka? Vieira.

 

[robertmac43]

Style of play certainly factors into this I imagine

Oh for sure.

Kane's mileage would be less strenuous on the body.

 

[gary69]

Henry. Anelka? Vieira.

Yes, there are lots of players with pretty much 20-year careers at top level. Bunch of Italian defenders immediately come to mind, Maldini, Bergomi and Vierchowod. Then keepers like Buffon and Zoff.

But as for actual most minutes played at senior football (regardless of level) I think Cristiano Ronaldo might surpass everyone, if he already hasn't done so. It seems he is something like 50 club matches and 30 international matches ahead of Buffon at the start of this season.

 

[CuuuJooo]

We've played really well, big improvement in attitude.

However, everton are in real trouble this season. They're awful.

*Laughs in Newcastle United*

(not that we don't have issues)

 

[S E P H]

I forgot to post this for Jussi.