As someone whose been watching Pjanic since he was a teenager, I have to say I always rated him very highly. He started out as a pure AM and sometimes even played on the wings for Metz back in the day. But ever since he moved to Lyon he's been playing mostly as a creative CM in a 3 man midfield; I guess he's mostly played a similar role in Roma as well.
In terms of the term "world class", I don't know it depends how strict or loose you are in using that term. For me, you have to be one of the best players in your position consistently over an extended number of years to be considered world class, and you must have proven yourself at the highest level too. I think Pjanic borders on world class, but I wouldn't be comfortable in giving him that label personally.
Also you can only really compare him to CM's, as that is the position he's played in the last few years. I don't think you can compare him to pure AM's like Ozil, Silva, Willian and the likes. It would make more sense IMO to compare him to players who play either the CM position in a two man or a three man midfield. I would say Iniesta, Fabregas, Pogba, Modric, Kroos, Vidal and Veratti are definitely better than him as CM's. Then its debatable whether the likes of Marchisio and Rakitic for example are as good as he is.
Obviously it is a little difficult when you compare him to other players who are CM's for the most part but play a different role like Vidal, Kroos, Veratti and Marhcisio. Those players while being CM's for the most part are not always CM's that are responsible for scoring and/or assisting a lot of goals, and generally would play a more defensive role than Pjanic does.
Comparisons in the CM position IMO are very complicated, it isn't as straightforward as comparing attackers, or comparing centerbacks for example, because there is such a wide variety for roles a CM can play.
In terms of the term "world class", I don't know it depends how strict or loose you are in using that term. For me, you have to be one of the best players in your position consistently over an extended number of years to be considered world class, and you must have proven yourself at the highest level too. I think Pjanic borders on world class, but I wouldn't be comfortable in giving him that label personally.
Also you can only really compare him to CM's, as that is the position he's played in the last few years. I don't think you can compare him to pure AM's like Ozil, Silva, Willian and the likes. It would make more sense IMO to compare him to players who play either the CM position in a two man or a three man midfield. I would say Iniesta, Fabregas, Pogba, Modric, Kroos, Vidal and Veratti are definitely better than him as CM's. Then its debatable whether the likes of Marchisio and Rakitic for example are as good as he is.
Obviously it is a little difficult when you compare him to other players who are CM's for the most part but play a different role like Vidal, Kroos, Veratti and Marhcisio. Those players while being CM's for the most part are not always CM's that are responsible for scoring and/or assisting a lot of goals, and generally would play a more defensive role than Pjanic does.
Comparisons in the CM position IMO are very complicated, it isn't as straightforward as comparing attackers, or comparing centerbacks for example, because there is such a wide variety for roles a CM can play.
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