Is Steven Gerrard a ‘top, top player’?

Isn’t it a shame when your hero lets you down? When somebody you looked up to for so long throws a spanner in the works and has you reconsider everything you thought you knew about them?

Don’t get me wrong, Sir Alex Ferguson was never a particularly classy bloke. Over the years he proved willing to use any tactic necessary to win games. He has treated players and fellow managers poorly. He also wasn’t afraid to use intimidation tactics to get the results he wanted.

But his ‘tell all’ book, where he rainfergusos down judgement on all and sundry is a particularly classless act of vulgarism. Hasn’t he profited enough from football over the years? Doesn’t he have enough money already to see out his retirement?

Why exactly does he have to defecate over so many beloved memories? Why does he have to sully our perceptions of so many footballing greats? Shouldn’t somethings just be resigned to history?

Interestingly, Sir Alex also chose to offer judgement on other (non-United) footballers, singling out Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in particular. Here’s his now infamous quote:

“Lampard, for me, was a marvellous servant for Chelsea. But I didn’t think of him as an elite international footballer. And I’m one of the few who felt Gerrard was not a top, top player.” (Source: The Mirror)

These are strong claims. It seems almost ridiculous to me to suggest that Steven Gerrard isn’t a top player. He’s one of the best midfielders to have ever graced the Premier League. I don’t see how there’s even an argument against this fact.

I’m no Liverpool fan, but I can appreciate the value he’s brought the club over the years. To try and diminish this seems senseless. Perhaps the thought is that as Stevie hasn’t won as much with Liverpool as the likes of Scholes has for United, he doesn’t match up?

That’s nonsense. In pure footballing terms, Stevie G is one of England’s all time greats. It’s a shame that he hasn’t achieved more, but that won’t damage his reputation in the long run.

As you’d expect, Brendan Rodgers unnecessarily stepped in to defend his player (I’m sure he was asked about it at a Press junket):

“His performance level at 33 years of age shows he’s a top, top player. He’s a great talent, a wonderful player and I don’t think anyone could argue against that.” (Source: The Mirror)

One thing that Rodgers doesn’t really mention is Gerrard’s attitude. The man is a born leader, never gives up and inspires those around him. Great players don’t just produce individual performances, they raise the game of those about them too. That’s what makes Gerrard a top, top player.

And that’s why Sir Alex would have been better served leaving that particular section out of his opportunistic, self-serving, odious new book.

What’s your take? Is Steven Gerrard a ‘top, top’ player?

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