I think i understand our differences now.
Modric is my favourite player for some years now, but imo he is not world class.
Robben: not world class.
Henry: yes .
World class players nowadays: Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva (but only recently), Rooney, Vidic, Schweinsteiger, Özil. Could be that i've forgotten 3 or 4 players, but not more.
Players that are near world class: Robben, Ribery, Muller, Nani, Aguero, Pirlo...to me Van Persie is among these players, just like Modric. But i think most people will agree that the players i call world class are better than Van Persie.
A world class player is a player that transcends his generation, that is still seen as a big players years after he stopped playing football.
IMO Arsenal has had 4 world class players: Jennings, Brady, Henry and Bergkamp (maybe i forgot some, but for example Viera although a fantastic player is not a player that transcends his own generation).
When i hear people speaking on evo-web about world class players, i have the distinct impression that 95% that are judged to be world class are not world class for me...don't forget that i watch 40 years of football.
Another illustration about what i call world class players, lets consider Dutch players and the players that transcend their own generation since 1970.
Cruijff, Rensenbrink, Van Basten, Gullit, Rijkaard and perhaps Bergkamp (i'm not so sure about Bergkamp compared to those other players however). Is Van Persie in the same league as those players? I don't think so.
PS: jonney, i have the distinct impression that you consider my assessment of Van Persie as a provocation...it isn't. It's only harmless banter and far from the universal truth..it's only my opinion. Forums like these are about people's opinion no matter how outrageous that opinion might be.
PPS: about Song, he is currently one of my favourite players...lately his passing game is outstanding although his defensive game is not rock solid.