I don't like to compare clubs or players from way back. It's different today. Your ballparks are better. In the days when I played, we had eight teams in each league. Now you have more.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
The reasons why a player is better on one club than on another are many. I certainly am not an expert and can't explain.
I have never believed in comparisons, whether they are about different eras, players or coaches.
Comparisons are really no good in sport, especially if it is a comparison between different eras and generations, for there are so many variables that come into play, starting from the quality of the opposition to playing conditions.
When you're with your club team, every week you have a performance to judge. But when you're with the national team, it's a little different because you might not play for three or four months at a time. Things change constantly.
When I was playing, there were always lots of teams in contention for the league - Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Leeds. Every week was a big game and a big battle.
There are a handful of legacy clubs like the Dodgers in each league. They're in major markets and have a history of winning where, if you do things right, there's an enormous upside.
I think I know now, each team is different, each player is different. I don't believe everybody has got to be the same.
As football gets more globalised, it's probably more important than ever to have one or two players in your team who have grown up in the same streets or been to the same schools as the hard-core fans.
Whenever you can relate to the population of the team that you play for, I think it makes it that much more special.
Life is so fast. And I still remember when I came up to the big leagues and played as if it were yesterday. Time flies.
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