reckons Robson BOBBY Robson believes Chris Waddle ranks with the all-time greats of world soccer.

Robson reveals his thoughts in 'Chris Waddle - The Authorised Biography' by soccer agent and lawyer Mel Stein.

The book - due to be published on September 15 - charts the Burnley manager's remarkable rise to fame from his North East non-league football roots with Tow Law Town to the high life of Marseilles and the 1990 World Cup semi-final in Turin.

And Robson, the ex-England boss and now a technical coach with Barcelona, said: "Chris Waddle could go inside or outside any player, which was a huge asset, and together with his pace that made for a great combination.

"Cruyff, George Best, Diego Maradona and Pele all had it and although, in those early days, I didn't think he would ever be that good, I really believe that his career has put him alongside those all-time greats.

"I always faced an empathy with Chris, we shared the same North-East roots. He was always in my plans from the first time he pulled on an England shirt."

And Waddle says one of his favourite ever goals was scored against Burnley in November 1982 at St James's Park when he was wearing the famous black and white of Newcastle United!

"That goal against Burnley really stands out " he recalled.

"At the time they were talking about me scoring one of the greatest goals ever, but I've no doubt there's been better since.

"At the time, though, it did seem a bit special.

"I got the ball wide, ran straight across the pitch and hit it past Alan Stephenson in the Burnley goal."

Arthur Cox, who managed Waddle in his formative years at Newcastle before a £590,000 move Tottenham Hotspur, said Waddle was one of the greatest talents he ever coached.

"I was lucky to have Peter Bearsley, Kevin Keegan and Chris Waddle under me at Newcastle.

"They all looked as if they'd been born with a ball at their feet, it was so natural for them.

"But Chris Waddle has to be one of the most respected footballers in the world - and the most talented.

"I had Chris for four years as a player at Newcastle.

"Somehow he liked making goals more than putting them into the net himself.

"A lot of people suggest he was one-footed. I thought he had two great feet."

"Defenders would find the greatest of difficulty in getting him into the corner because he could pass or cross with both left and right and they just didn't know what he was going to do."

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