I understand why Curling has been raised, but I think people have gotten carried away with it a bit. I'm assuming (correct me if I'm wrong) that his trademark curling efforts from range are the prime reason for the raise into the 90's region. Whilst his technique and curl is impressive in these instances, if you actually watch how much the ball genuinely 'curls' in the air, it is still in-superior to the likes of Leighton Baines. If you watch replays of some of Baines' free kicks for example, I'd be surprised if anybody could come here and say that Ashley Young achieves more bend than he does. If anything it could be a case (and I'd like to stress that I hope that this is the case) that the likes of Baines (and many others) are simply under rated still. You don't have to be a world class player to achieve world class curl. You can be shit at crossing/shooting but still achieve brilliant curl. It sounds absurd but players like Wes Brown (I know, Wes Brown...) can get some really great curl on their crosses. Just look to the domestic and European double season of '08 where Brown played at right back for United. Some of his crossing that season was sublime and the curl he achieved was really nothing much worse than some of the labelled 'great crossers' in the league. Sure, he's not as likely to pick a player out as precisely as your Young's are, but that doesn't mean the shape on his crosses is that much inferior. I reckon if you compared some of Baines' free kicks to some of the classic players who are rated in the red zone, you wouldn't find that much difference.
This has turned out to be more of a general post on curling (wasn't my intention
) but hopefully some others are on board with what I'm trying to say...
