How the pundits rate Henry

He may not hold the World Player of the Year title but on present form Thierry Henry has outstanding claims to being the top footballer on the planet.

Steve Bruce is in no doubt about his credentials and the Birmingham manager called him the "best in the world" following Arsenal's 3-0 demoliton of Birmingham last weekend. Here is what others think.

Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd)
"Henry is one of the best, not just in England, not just in Europe, but in the whole world. People compare us as strikers and goalscorers but we are very different in our approach to the game. Thierry has speed, vision and technique, he is a great player."

Paolo Rossi (Italy's 1982 World Cup hero)
"Henry is one of the greatest European players and deserves the golden ball award this year."

Ian Rush (Liverpool and Juventus)
"He is different to players like Michael Owen, who are mainly finishers, because it is his all-round play that stands out. He is quick, has a great touch and can score goals."

John Collins (Monaco)
"He is certainly the most effective so I would say he is the best in the world. He is in great form and is creating goals as well as scoring them and there are not many others doing that."

Micky Adams (Leicester manager)
"I think Henry probably is the best in the world. His pace is unbelievable and in the way the game is played these days his sort of speed is at a premium. He makes everybody else look slow."

Trevor Brooking (West Ham director)
"There can't be anyone playing better at the moment. His pace and intelligent movement are something else. You can nullify pace to an extent but his intelligence gives him an added dimension. He creates so much space for others and, of course, scores goals himself. All he has to do is start scoring with headers and he'd be perfect."

Ken Bates (Chelsea chairman)
"I don't know about best player in the world but he's certainly a handful and as far as Chelsea are concerned he's a bloody nuisance. You've got to admire his athleticism and that's the same about all the Arsenal players, it's just a shame that some of their behaviour sometimes detracts from their ability. But Chelsea have some great players too. I don't think you can label one player as the best in the world."