Definitely did not post the question in sarcasm. Not one bit. Those who said that DP was excellent in that 97-98 season are spot on, though I am not sure if Henry today is not better than DP then?. That was his best season to date. Those who compared him to what Henry is now are also right in saying that they are comparable. However, that DP is much older than Henry is not true. Is DP not 29 this year and only a mere two years older than Henry?
Think the problem with DP is that he has not the physical gifts that Henry has, such as pace. Also, Henry is not as prone to errors like DP was, even in his prime. More importantly, DP's mental strength has always been suspect. Look at how he crumbled when Cesare Maldini put the entire country's hopes and expectations on him in the World Cup six years ago :down:
DP never terrified defences like Henry does these days. The only strikers who have instilled such fear in defenders in recent years are Ronaldo (before the 1998 World Cup Final meltdown) and Vieri (2-3 years ago).
All said, I wish that DP will return to the heights that he attained in that magnificent season.