Who was best, Viduka, Boksic or Ravanelli?

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.

Absolutely. Although debatable as to the standard of French football and if you compare Viduka's stats in Croatian football to Boksic they're far superior.

Also arguably Viduka had a few seasons playing for weaker teams comparably. Kept Leeds up almost single handedly.

Context is everything and agree, it's not comparing apples with apples, but still interesting I thought.
 
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 definitely possible. Italian teams were spending a fortune on forwards- Crespo and Vieri amongst others.
 
If the question was who was the best striker I’d stick my neck out and say Rav. I know he got punched before the cup final for slagging some of the other players off, but it was true what he said, they were boozing and not training as they should. He was very professiona.

But since the question was just who was the best I’d say Viduka, how he received the ball with back to the goal, shielded and turned could be amazing. I also think he did more in the game. Could never get away with Boksic, struck me as having a lazy streak - obviously I have him back tomorrow as his old self, but at the time he frustrated.
 
That relegation team the following season would've won the lot. Talk of Batistuta, Roberto Carlos coming in; people laugh when I tell them it would've happened but we were paying far more than anyone else to make it happen. Imagine a team with Juninho, Ravanelli and Batistuta upfront!
It honestly makes me sick every time I'm reminded of it.
 
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.
Agreed, 04/05 we finished 7th, 6 points behind Everton in 4th. However Viduka only played 15 games through injury and Boateng only 25. Considering Jon and Nemeth made 55 appearances between them and Doriva played instead of Boateng for 13 games, I would like to think we would have made it. It was also our first UEFA season, so having two key players unavailable meant that second rate players had to play lots of midweek UEFA games then league games 3 days later with no rest. With a bit of luck then, yes we could have made the champs league.
 
I wonder what sort of transfers in today's market would represent the equivalent of us getting these players in back in the day, and which team in the Prem?
Ravanelli was a huge signing. Just scored in the champions league final for Juventus. Italian International.
My favourite would be Boksic...Magic on his day.
 
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.
I think it was 3 years, which is the only reason we could afford him. Leeds payed the balance of his wages after we signed him. If he only had a year on his Leeds contract when we signed him, we could only have offered him a year, and he would have spent most of it injured.
 
I wonder what sort of transfers in today's market would represent the equivalent of us getting these players in back in the day, and which team in the Prem?
Ravanelli was a huge signing. Just scored in the champions league final for Juventus. Italian International.
My favourite would be Boksic...Magic on his day.

I don't think Rav or TLF signings are possible now because of the Champions League. Those players wont sign no matter how much money we offer.

Viduka had just been relegated, and we could offer European football. Without that I think he'd have gone elsewhere.

Boksic had just turned 30; I think aging stars are still a possibility in the PL, but I'd think 32+ rather than 30+ because players' primes last longer now.
 
Last edited:
As for Ravanelli, controversially I don't see him in the same bracket. One footed and no heading ability, he also had a heart that was smaller than his big mouth. Look at where he scored his goals in the one prolific year he had with us, take out the goals against teams like Hereford and his tally doesn't look as great. Then notice he actually only scored two league goals away from home and maybe you'll see what I mean?

1st season 31 goals ....

17 league (only 2 away at sland & derby) 15 cup
25 home 7 away
4 pens (+ 2 misses v soton & arsenal away)

Most cup goals against likes of hereford, hudds, chester, hednesford, stockport and chesterfield
 
Forget the man but the best out an out finisher I’ve prob ever seen in a Boro shirt was Rav.

he was phenomenal when he first came.
 
Interesting Boksic stats

6 of his 1st 7 boro goals were scored away from home.

22 goals 13 away 9 home (zero in the cups) 4 pens and 1 hell of a free kick against the mags at SJP
 
1st season 31 goals ....

17 league (only 2 away at sland & derby) 15 cup
25 home 7 away
4 pens (+ 2 misses v soton & arsenal away)

Most cup goals against likes of hereford, hudds, chester, hednesford, stockport and chesterfield

Now I know I'm being a pedant here, but 25+7 or 15+17 are not 31!
 
Rav then Viduka then Boksic.

Rav transformed the club in many ways and elevated our image within the game.

His charisma and presence on the pitch was off the scale.

I think he would have scored many more goals with a better all round team. I remember some matches it was just him and Juninho passing to each other, it was the like the best two players in the school team having a game on their own. Emerson made it a trio when he had got out of bed the right way.

Viduka was a lovely footballer with deceptively quick feet. The goal he scored to break Charlton’s spirit in the Cup 6th Round replay at the Riverside is one of the best I’ve ever seen by anybody. He only played one game in three though, and it’s just not enough no matter how good you are.

Boksic was way past his best when we got him. A great player with some outstanding goals on his record like Leicester and Newcastle away but just not enough overall contribution for me.
 
Viduka was the best, not remotely close. Close control, dribbling, strength, shooting, heading, playing with others; he was the best by a mile and enjoyed playing for us.

Boksic had talent, especially at Marseilles, but did very little with it. His record is poor for a player of such natural ability. Somebody posted that Boksic never missed in training, I wish I could say the same about in matches - he missed so many chances through trying to be clever. And a real tw@t off the pitch.

Ravanelli had much less ability yet achieved more with what he had and had more impact here than Boksic.

JFH a better finisher than Boksic or Rav, but nowehere near the footballer that Mark Viduka was.
 
Viduka for me,such great player,such a good time when he and JFH were together with Stewy supplying the crosses.
Brilliant memories, any younger fans watch some of the games from that time,brilliant
 
Forget the man but the best out an out finisher I’ve prob ever seen in a Boro shirt was Rav.

he was phenomenal when he first came.

Really? Not for me. Slaven was a better finisher, as was Viduka anbd Boksic. Possibly JFH as well.
 
That relegation team the following season would've won the lot. Talk of Batistuta, Roberto Carlos coming in; people laugh when I tell them it would've happened but we were paying far more than anyone else to make it happen. Imagine a team with Juninho, Ravanelli and Batistuta upfront!
I think Batistuta was seen as a Ravenelli replacement, we did have an 11m fee agreed for him.

I think Viduka for me, there were games where he was simply the difference between us winning games and not.

Also whilst some of these players were injured (Boksic and Viduka mainly), do love a bit of Ricard and JFH for leading the line in their absence.
 
Back
Top