Despite being a foreigner, they see him as displaying the uniquely English qualities of Leader of Men/Captain Courageous types like Terry Butcher and John Terry - though with better English skills.
Yaya Toure as well. It's an honour that's handed out to only very select foreigners (Vieira got it, definitely). It probably helped that the only English footballers in that era's City team were people like Joleon Lescott and Micah Richards who were never going to draw those accolades.
The current England, significantly, don't have a player like that - Henderson's too nothingy, Stones is too fancy and flaky. Harry Kane is the closest they have but he's more of a Roy of the Rovers type, the kind of guy whose face you'd see on England biscuit tins.
― Matt DC, Saturday, 7 July 2018 09:59 (five years ago) link
If lukaku was 5'8" and 11 stone he'd be a very average player
this is wrong. And kind of offensive
― Number None, Saturday, 7 July 2018 10:13 (five years ago) link
If lukaku was two he'd be talentless and become England captain
― plums (a hoy hoy), Saturday, 7 July 2018 10:27 (five years ago) link
Struggling to keep track of who actually watches football and who's a day tripper chancing it with these kinds of remarks. European leagues are stuffed to the rafters with big lumps who can't actually play and could never in a million years do what Lukaku did yesterday.
― Matt DC, Saturday, 7 July 2018 10:42 (five years ago) link
Maguire might end up in Captain Courageous territory but his ability to control the ball with his feet and advance more than a yard with it might rule him out in the end
― Neymar, Mr Nice Guy (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 7 July 2018 10:45 (five years ago) link
― Number None, Saturday, 7 July 2018 11:13 (twenty-eight minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
ok it wasn't meant entirely seriously but how are you offended
― i know kore-eda (or something), Saturday, 7 July 2018 10:45 (five years ago) link
How come Grant Holt couldn't play like Lukaku?
― Alan Alba (Tom D.), Saturday, 7 July 2018 10:45 (five years ago) link
because it's a facile reduction of a black player to their physical gifts
― Number None, Saturday, 7 July 2018 10:47 (five years ago) link
No it isnt
― i know kore-eda (or something), Saturday, 7 July 2018 10:50 (five years ago) link
explain yourself then
― Number None, Saturday, 7 July 2018 10:53 (five years ago) link
it was a flippant response to a particular incident of miscontrol witnessed during the highlights last night. I think he's a very good player but not a great one. A pointless post on a Friday evening tbh but can it with the accusations will you
― i know kore-eda (or something), Saturday, 7 July 2018 11:01 (five years ago) link
tbf if Sterling was 5'8 and 11 stone he'd still be a very average player
― Neymar, Mr Nice Guy (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 7 July 2018 11:04 (five years ago) link
well i'm off to the pub to enjoy a couple of hours moaning about how desperately England need a playmaker
― Neymar, Mr Nice Guy (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 7 July 2018 11:05 (five years ago) link
I'm not ascribing any malice. I just think it was an ignorant comment
― Number None, Saturday, 7 July 2018 11:05 (five years ago) link
i've got a feeling this game is gonna be more painful than watching an incel trying to unhook a bra
― Neymar, Mr Nice Guy (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 7 July 2018 11:06 (five years ago) link
A quick scan of my handful of comments on this thread suggests an ignorant football-hating challopian. I think i need to switch my meds.
It's that or the weather
― i know kore-eda (or something), Saturday, 7 July 2018 11:13 (five years ago) link
or England
― he's one of our pwn (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 7 July 2018 11:13 (five years ago) link
now it is safe to talk about football once again let us all enjoy the creativity and passing of the fine footballing friends - yes - england and sweden
― FernandoHierro, Saturday, 7 July 2018 11:15 (five years ago) link
thanks Fernando!
I'd like to disagree with you in the strongest possible, but still respectful, terms for dropping Ini for the Russia game btw.
― he's one of our pwn (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 7 July 2018 11:16 (five years ago) link
my cousin's anglo-swedish family are split 50/50, a formative football memory on the cards
― ogmor, Saturday, 7 July 2018 12:15 (five years ago) link
hierro I will never forgive you for koke and asensio. thanks
― ogmor, Saturday, 7 July 2018 12:17 (five years ago) link
the many testimonials to the great qualities Southgate possesses as a manager by the usual suspects on 5 live are so very moving, but if he ever ends up in the prem again he will be exposed as shit lightweight.. again.
― calzino, Saturday, 7 July 2018 12:54 (five years ago) link
according to my sons Maguire is "dead"
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 7 July 2018 13:04 (five years ago) link
Come back from a week of yoga and happiness to ENG flags DON'T WANT
― xyzzzz__, Saturday, 7 July 2018 13:05 (five years ago) link
Xxp being worlds best international coach is like being worlds tallest dwarf
― Neuer write off the germans (Bananaman Begins), Saturday, 7 July 2018 13:19 (five years ago) link
That said, always thought a man as mostrously egotistical as mourinho would want to manage portugal (or someone else) in at least one world cup.
― Neuer write off the germans (Bananaman Begins), Saturday, 7 July 2018 13:23 (five years ago) link
I noticed that particular incident of miscontrol as well but lukaku is crazy talented, size notwithstanding. If anything, that incident suggests he's a great player in spite of his size.
― gospodin simmel, Saturday, 7 July 2018 13:24 (five years ago) link
Lukaku is pretty complete as a player. Faster than Kane, not quite as good a finisher but in that bracket
― ogmor, Saturday, 7 July 2018 13:30 (five years ago) link
whatever people say about what ManU re: the transfer fee paid, he's pretty fucking impressive at times!
― calzino, Saturday, 7 July 2018 13:49 (five years ago) link
i'm rooting for England because I like their metal bands better
― fuck the NRA (Neanderthal), Saturday, 7 July 2018 13:55 (five years ago) link
prediction - zero run of play goals, game decided 1-0 when Kane brought down in box
― fuck the NRA (Neanderthal), Saturday, 7 July 2018 13:59 (five years ago) link
Sweeng is a bit dull so far
― I'd Rather Kecak (NickB), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:17 (five years ago) link
― Fox News' Chad Pergram contributed to this report (bizarro gazzara), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:17 (five years ago) link
Apologies to Sweden for comparing them to Russia
― ogmor, Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:18 (five years ago) link
awwww man
― fuck the NRA (Neanderthal), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:19 (five years ago) link
Sterling good rn
― xyzzzz__, Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:21 (five years ago) link
Have any Robin’s Reign joeks been made on thread yet? If not, can I reserve the right? Oh wait
― Pwn Goal Picnic (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:21 (five years ago) link
England starting to create some chances
― fuck the NRA (Neanderthal), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:24 (five years ago) link
this is brutal
― Number None, Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:26 (five years ago) link
This is puke football
― . (Michael B), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:26 (five years ago) link
it's about what I expected w/ this matchup
― fuck the NRA (Neanderthal), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:27 (five years ago) link
almost makes me miss SpainAshley Young ruining some nice chances to cross
― illegal economic migration (Tracer Hand), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:29 (five years ago) link
uh oh SET PIECE u guyz
― fuck the NRA (Neanderthal), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:29 (five years ago) link
hahahahaha
― fuck the NRA (Neanderthal), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:30 (five years ago) link
well hopefully this opens the game up
TWO WORLD WARS AND TWO WORLD CUPS
― Fox News' Chad Pergram contributed to this report (bizarro gazzara), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:31 (five years ago) link
tracer's kids off the pundit team
― mark s, Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:31 (five years ago) link
lol at this
― xyzzzz__, Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:31 (five years ago) link
Brexit 1Europe 0
― F# A# (∞), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:31 (five years ago) link
Boring boring England.
― Alan Alba (Tom D.), Saturday, 7 July 2018 14:32 (five years ago) link