Fair enough, maybe the caps argument is a little shaky. But you certainly look a better individual playing in a better team. For example would Ronaldo look as good for us as he does for Man Utd considering our mongs wouldn't be able to run onto his passes and anticipate what he is thinking as well as the likes of Rooney and Tevez?
Maybe it's a bit of siege mentality coming in when people dismiss the Neville brothers out of hand, moreso Gary Neville. Just smacks of listening to cretinous opinion and taking it on board (after Phil's tackle in Euro 2000, etc)