retired_olechka

I was tipsy, I meant, of course, the complete opposite - anonymity or low profile.

Ceefax, the chat in the pub earlier suggested that it would make a decent debate, with only 2 out of 6 people rating him that highly.

retired_stribs

Pure - like.

retired_swtpe14

a bit like Totti isn't he? Could be at a better side but chooses not to be, like Totti choosing to be at Roma. (or am I wrong?)
I think he's a great player from what I've seen.

Loo

I'd rate Totti much higher.

retired_little.splash

great player indeed
a bit too much of a classic number ten though, modern football demands more (physical qualities)

retired_natalienew1212

should come and play for Q.P.R, when were in the prem next season, would be a good rotation player to have hanging round

retired_J_Ahmed_K

Technically gifted, but a bit too slow to get away from players once he has beaten them. He is also a little inconsistent and tends to pick and choose his games to play in.

In a team built for him, with others doing his donkey work he could really shine. In a top class side, such as Barcelona he would/does not stand out.

He is always better as big fish in a small pool.

retired_steevo93

shes old but not the oldest. too lazy imo </BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry, I was trying on my Daaaaaave hat. I feel bad now.

I'm amazed that only 2 out of 6 people rated Riquelme. What more do you want from him? The only criticisms you could really level at him are his poor workrate in defence and his lack of pace.

But Riquelme's a very particular kind of player, and you have to use him in a very particular way. If you build your team around him, have them work for him, have him searching for space and drifting even when your team loses possession, then you know you've got one of the best playmakers in the world in your side, and will reap the benefits. His lack of pace then becomes academic as he'll make the ball do all the work, and use his brain to find space.

If you're not prepared to play him like that, then you don't want Riquelme in your team. Similarly, if you want your left winger in a 433 to track back all the time, then you don't want Ronaldinho in your team, but nobody ever said he was a bad player because of that.

Davey

When he's on top of his game I think he really is a top class player, just the classic South American playmaker who can dictate and control the tempo of the game from the middle of the park with the capability of carving teams wide open. The fact that he can do what he does in a team such as Argentina should answer his critics end of in my opinion.

The biggest mistake he could make though is to take a big contract in the Premiership, he just isn't suited for it at all.

Have Villareal actually released him or are they just not playing him? If he hs been released by them I'd be quite suprised he hasn't joined Boca on a reduced contract, as I heard that when he was on loan there he did everything he could to make the move permanent.

retired_joesudz

He is great but tbf its not as if Villarreal are struggling without him at the moment, they're one of, if not the in form team in La Liga and have been since the close of last season.

So I wouldn't give him to much credit for Villarreal's rise (except perhaps in the fame stakes as has been said). I tend to agree with ceefax too, Riquelme is a player you have to accomodate if you want to play him.

He'll be back at Boca before you know it probably.