Who was best, Viduka, Boksic or Ravanelli?

My good mate was pro at boro at the time Boksic was there. Funny thing is just before lockdown November we were having a drink and got on about Boksic. He always said he smoked like a chimney but he'd never seen anyone finish like him. Said he just never missed the target.

I remember him saying pre fa cup semi final Boksic had said if we lose he won't be playing again this season as he wants to be fit for the world cup. Funny enough he didn't play again (from what i recall)
 
If you could take the clever finishes and burst of pace of Boksic, the back to goal play and dribbling of Viduka, and the movement and left foot accuracy of Rav you would have one of the greatest strikers ever. Add in the power of a JFH shot and he would outscore Messi

You basically described Brazilian Ronaldo. Having said that Brazilian Ronaldo was faster, a better dribbler and a better finisher than any of those above though.
 
In terms of pure footballing ability, Boksic for me. He was one of the world's best in his prime (admittedly before he joined us).

During their time at Boro, I'd say Viduka showed more ability but Rav was the better goalscorer.

I often sit back and think how lucky we are that the likes of Boksic and Mendieta, players who will be remembered for decades at the pinnacle of their sport, played for our team.
 
Yak / Viduka and JFH.... Those were the days👍.

I doubt we have had 3 forwards as good at the club at any one time?

It's hard to believe that 'little old Boro' (sound like Dyche) had some of the players we had gracing the Riverside. The one good thing about being 'old' is that I witnessed them in the flesh.

I doubt anyone born after that time will see players of the calibre of Boksic etc.
 
Viduka was my favourite of those: a freak in terms of a unique combination of touch and strength.

For me, Boksic was overrated. Not in terms of ability, but in terms of application. I always felt he was looking to score the perfect goal rather than just score: too many floaty chips rather than just putting the ball in the net. Sometimes it worked and looked great, at other times it resulted in easy saves. He always gave me the impression doing something remarkable was more important to him than winning. Most frustrating player we've had, because he had all the ability in the world.
 
I'd say Viduka offered the most and at a key part of his career.

I bet if you asked all three the same question.

Rav would be the least humble and say he was the best striker of the 3.

I suppose they all would in all honesty.
 
Rav was the best goal scorer
Boksic was the best player over his career
Viduka was overall the best for us,
Not sure Rav was the best finisher, in fact I am sure he wasn't. His right foot was like swinging a broom at the ball. I also think his goal scoring record against decent sides was pretty average.
 
FrozenHorse - think that's why I loved him, haha.

I think he probably came to England with a point to prove, intent on showing English audiences just how talented he was. There are a number of his goals (mostly chips if I recall) where it was probably the most difficult way to score, but he did it anyway to show he could.

Love an arrogant footballer (where the arrogance is warranted, see also Henry).
 
FrozenHorse - think that's why I loved him, haha.

I think he probably came to England with a point to prove, intent on showing English audiences just how talented he was. There are a number of his goals (mostly chips if I recall) where it was probably the most difficult way to score, but he did it anyway to show he could.

Love an arrogant footballer (where the arrogance is warranted, see also Henry).

Maybe. I don't deny the chips looked great when they worked. I just remember the ones he missed too.
 
Viduka for me.

Don't get me wrong, Boksic was top quality and its a close call. At his very best he probably was better than Viduka at his very best but I don't think there's much in it. I do think his reputation is enhanced by an outstanding season at Marseille and one very good season at Lazio.

The rest of his career he was fairly inconsistent (maybe unlucky with injuries partly), probably why we were able to pick him up for a bargain £2.5m. His strike rate for us is actually better than it was for most of his clubs.

Viduka could easily have played for a bigger club than us. Leeds were genuine title contenders for at least one year. We were extremely fortunate to have signed him. He was more effective and far more consistent for us. If he and Boateng had stayed fit for most of 04/05 we'd have finished top 4 I'm sure.

Career stats in all comps:

Viduka: 258 goals in 507

Boksic: 133 goals in 429

Ravanelli: 247 goals in 626
 
Career stats in all comps:

Viduka: 258 goals in 507

Boksic: 133 goals in 429

Ravanelli: 247 goals in 626

Although I have said MV was my favourite of the 3, I think those stats hide the fact that over half his goals were scored playing Australian, Croatian or Scottish football.

I'm not saying the other 2 only played at the highest level, but they spent more of their career at that level.
 
Viduka is the only one of the 3 who I saw smile while playing.

Thinking about those strikers and what we've suffered since (Lee Miller anyone?) it's crazy. Players like Nemeth and Beck were under appreciated because of who we were comparing them to at the time, but both would be far better than anything we have now.
 
Yeah I wouldn't have Rav as the best finisher either. Scored a lot of his goals against lower league opposition and bottom half teams. His right foot was for standing on.
 
Last edited:
Not sure Rav was the best finisher, in fact I am sure he wasn't. His right foot was like swinging a broom at the ball. I also think his goal scoring record against decent sides was pretty average.
Of course it wasn't good against decent sides, we were poor much of the time and in the bottom 3. But the same applies to most strikers, the majority of their goals come against lesser teams. He was a more frequent goalscorer than the other two for Boro, although they were better footballers. I'd say he had more of a goal poachers instinct. I didn't say he was the best finisher, I said he was the best goalscorer which is slightly different.
 
Viduka is the only one of the 3 who I saw smile while playing.

Thinking about those strikers and what we've suffered since (Lee Miller anyone?) it's crazy. Players like Nemeth and Beck were under appreciated because of who we were comparing them to at the time, but both would be far better than anything we have now.

Ricard in the one who springs to mind for me.
 
Viduka claims Milan bid 38 million for him. I find that a little hard to believe as surely it would have been a world record, and we picked him up for 4.5 million a couple of years later.
 
Viduka claims Milan bid 38 million for him. I find that a little hard to believe as surely it would have been a world record, and we picked him up for 4.5 million a couple of years later.
It's possible i suppose while Leeds were in the champions league. They'd been relegated when we picked him up and im not sure how long was left on his contract.
 
Back
Top