Have we ever had any genuine WORLD CLASS players?

[Wile E Coyote]

If we were playing Mars, the players who would make our starting 11.

it might come to that Frank if this virus doesn't go away .

[Wile E Coyote]

The dutch, germans, spanish, italians french etc, have all been far more successful than any british team, by virtue of winning world cups against players from anywhere and over several decades. its more about blending players into a great team at the right time. Billy hamilton did a decent enough job, but no one would describe him as world class.
I do know that even with the claret tinted specs removed, lots of older clarets said jimmy mac was world class. they must have seen something in him that set him apart.

[Goobs]

I wouldn't personally class either Wright or Cole as world class. Neither were good enough to even force their way consistently into the England team even at their best.

[Jamesy]

When things were dire, he raised the spirits.

Aye, and Chris Pearce used to lower my spirits every time we conceded a corner!

[beddie]

Gifton Noel Williams. Well he was one Tuesday night in my eyes anyway.

[jrgbfc]

I wouldn't personally class either Wright or Cole as world class. Neither were good enough to even force their way consistently into the England team even at their best.

To me world class means a player who would get in pretty much any team in the world. I'd agree that Wright and Cole were nowhere near, even in their prime. Good premier league strikers yes, world class no.
That era had the likes of Ronaldo, Batistuta, Bergkamp and even Shearer. That's who I'd describe as world class.

[superdimitri]

Pretty certain Defour would have been if it wasn't for his injury record. Not many players wanted by Manchester United in the Ferguson glory era weren't world class... I think they ended up with Hargreaves instead. Of course later on they signed some real duds but Defour was wanted in an era where they had some very good players.

[Claretforever]

Willie Morgan seems to have a George Best swagger about him, but was before my time.

https://youtu.be/hMRrIgAdXxM