I maintain as a supporter you can tell whether a player is going to be good within a short space of time often within the first few touches. This does not just apply to football but all sports.
Also I don't want to elevate match day fans but I honestly think you get a better idea seeing it in the flesh rather than on tv. I know it sounds illogical but there's something about seeing it yards away from yourself. I remember the first time I saw Paul Gascogne I was astounded at his skills which were sublime. I would not have seen it on the tv.
No disrespect intended just making that point
So what is it that determines class ?
For me it's these
Time - this is the main one all top sportsmen seem to have twice the time as the others.
Effortless - they make it look easy.
Innovative - they do things you have never thought of and do the unexpected
Anticipation - the crowd picks up on the skill and there is an anticipation that is almost audible and tangible. I remember being at old traffiord when John Barnes was running them ragged. You could hear the old traffiord crowd breathe in when the ball went to him which Liverpool were trying to do at every opportunity.
Of course it's all relative players span from poor to world class and somewhere in between.
So that's what I would say are the attributes of quality what would you say and would you like to add any ?
Yeah I’d agree, the really great players have all that about them and its pretty obvious right from the off.
I’d add determination, hunger and consistency to your list, particularly consistency, the great player does it in every game, even in their off game day they still pull out a performance by raising their game when needed. The average player can’t do that, theres a flatness about their performance that’s noticeable.
