How good was Paul Scholes?

[Ishdalar]

Out of curiosity, how did Spanish pundits/players see Scholes as? I know we've all seen the quotes from Alonso, Xavi and Zidane but what did your average fan think of him?

From my point of view/experience, in a country where 50% of the people talk about Real Madrid and 50% about Barcelona you can imagine how much "focus" most people have in other leagues, we started watching foreign leagues with internet streams and all of that, before, chances to see guys like Scholes were few, if you were lucky to cross paths with United at UCL, a United final or you had Canal + (of all my friends, few had, and less were home to watch PL games), also we mostly paid attention to Serie A after La Liga.

So, the only opinions about him you had the luxury hearing would be from purists or football "hipsters", guys like Xavi who arguably had been watching a lot of different leagues since the 90's and they usually loved and praised him. To the rest of us, who only knew a little talent here and there and lived in the Nike/Pepsi ads hype and what some magazines would point (Scholes could have some articles, but I don't think he had a big spotlight) we were more like "Yeah, he might be good, but he isn't Beckham/Yorke/Cole/Cantona... duh!". I started knowing more about Scholes at the end of his career when I could see him playing a little more, and then old videos were what completely sold me on him, but sadly he was almost/already retired.


People who had the chance to enjoy him years ago loved him, guys like me who had limited access to PL or United games? We knew he played there, but as he never was a "galactico" in the merchandising aspect, we knew little of him, and the UCL pundits (Jose Angel de la Casa & Michel) were too biased for our teams or the "stars" everyone knew in Manchester that they would focus almost nothing on Scholes. This happened with a lot of players for me and my friends, in the 98' World Cup we bought a special that talked about all the teams and stars. Zidane? Ah, that guy who plays with Del Piero and Inzaghi, Shearer and Bierhoff? No idea. Guys who had a lot more press than Scholes were almost unknown to us, Scholes suffers from that, thankfully people like Xavi and his constant praise helped us become more interested with him.

 

[ravi2]

Best English player I've seen and one of the best midfielders of all time

 

[ghagua]

He was great.

 

[Infordin]

I can see how Modric moved deeper as his career went on but nowhere near Scholes's level. That's just my opinion.

Modern players tend to get underrated when compared to their past counterparts.

 

[Cantona'sCollar]

Best British player I have ever seen, and the best midfielder for us in my life time. In the same tier as Pirlo, I would say - better at some things, worse at others, but similar quality. I would still choose Scholes, though.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Modric is definitely on Scholes level. Scholes was obviously a more offensive minded player in his first ten years and benefited from Keane being such a beast and was a better finisher. Modric as a controlling midfielder is as good as anyone bar Xavi probably.

 

[Ibi Dreams]

Probably the best long passer of the ball I've ever seen.


I remember this especially because he literally came on with about 10 minutes to go and made three outrageous passes that could and perhaps should have resulted in three goals. I haven't seen a player able to do that since in the Premier League

 

[adexkola]

No point mentioning Xavi in this thread, who I consider the best midfielder and the most consistent player I have ever seen.

Scholesy was not at that level, but he was a brilliant midfielder that added a unique element to our midfield/attack early on in his career, then later on at the beginning of our resurgence in 2006, reinvented himself as a classic deep lying midfielder. I'd place him on the same level as Pirlo.

 

[Selbourne]

From my point of view/experience, in a country where 50% of the people talk about Real Madrid and 50% about Barcelona you can imagine how much "focus" most people have in other leagues, we started watching foreign leagues with internet streams and all of that, before, chances to see guys like Scholes were few, if you were lucky to cross paths with United at UCL, a United final or you had Canal + (of all my friends, few had, and less were home to watch PL games), also we mostly paid attention to Serie A after La Liga.

So, the only opinions about him you had the luxury hearing would be from purists or football "hipsters", guys like Xavi who arguably had been watching a lot of different leagues since the 90's and they usually loved and praised him. To the rest of us, who only knew a little talent here and there and lived in the Nike/Pepsi ads hype and what some magazines would point (Scholes could have some articles, but I don't think he had a big spotlight) we were more like "Yeah, he might be good, but he isn't Beckham/Yorke/Cole/Cantona... duh!". I started knowing more about Scholes at the end of his career when I could see him playing a little more, and then old videos were what completely sold me on him, but sadly he was almost/already retired.


People who had the chance to enjoy him years ago loved him, guys like me who had limited access to PL or United games? We knew he played there, but as he never was a "galactico" in the merchandising aspect, we knew little of him, and the UCL pundits (Jose Angel de la Casa & Michel) were too biased for our teams or the "stars" everyone knew in Manchester that they would focus almost nothing on Scholes. This happened with a lot of players for me and my friends, in the 98' World Cup we bought a special that talked about all the teams and stars. Zidane? Ah, that guy who plays with Del Piero and Inzaghi, Shearer and Bierhoff? No idea. Guys who had a lot more press than Scholes were almost unknown to us, Scholes suffers from that, thankfully people like Xavi and his constant praise helped us become more interested with him.

Great post. I'm always interested about what foreign people's take on english football is. Thanks for that.

 

[Moonred]

One great touch to control and make space to ping the ball with dead eye accuracy time after time. Extremely smart with instincts and technical ability to die for. Not as good as Xavi is barely an issue. What he was good at was on par with any greats.

 

[TypeR]

Best midfielder I've ever seen live. It may be rose-tinted from a United fan, but in terms of sheer technical and mental brilliance, up there with Xavi.

 

[el3mel]

His passing, either long, short or crosses were beyond excellent, and his shooting was insane. Even his headers were good. He was a complete midfielder in terms of attack IMO and a key of our success .

Don't like comparing him to Xavi as they both implement different styles of play.

 

[Frank Grimes]

The best compliment I can pay Scholes is when we were in a tough away game late on with a slender lead I just used to feel a whole lot safer when Scholes was on the ball because he would never lose the ball and would always pick the right pass, and move into space to demand the return if the need be. Basically controlling the tempo, taking the sting out of the game. So intelligent, an excellent player by any standard.

 

[Inter Yer Nan]

I probably have some bias as he's my favorite player ever but having been a regular match goer throughout his career (until 2009 then I moved from uk and watched on telly) but he really is one of the best midfielders I've ever seen. Top 2-3 for sure. Vision, range of passing, intelligence, calmness and big game performance. Surely the best English footballer of his generation.

 

[acnumber9]

Erm because Xavi dominated the big games constantly. He was man of the match in them constantly. Scholes wasn't.

And Scholes wasn't amazing behind ruud. He didn't even want to play there or enjoy it because it meant defenders were more aware of his runs.

And yet somehow he scored 20 goals that season. More than he ever did in any other season. Maybe somebody's memory isn't as good as he thinks.

 

[Bojan11]

And yet somehow he scored 20 goals that season. More than he ever did in any other season. Maybe somebody's memory isn't as good as he thinks.

And he also got fined that season after refusing to play in a worthington cup match because he was dropped against Liverpool. He wasn't a happy bunny due to Veron taking his position that season and moaned to Fergie about it. So yeah I'd gladly refresh your memory.

 

[Terminator]

Best midfielder i've ever seen.

 

[Z_Wolf]

The fact that Fergie had to bring him out of retirement to recapture the league should tell you all you need to know really.

 

[Inter Yer Nan]

The fact that Fergie had to bring him out of retirement to recapture the league should tell you all you need to know really.

Yup. And every major international tournament every manager begged him to come back. Read the game, played the game like few could. I'm not into comparisons all that much and the fact is Scholes was a truly great player.

 

[acnumber9]

And he also got fined that season after refusing to play in a worthington cup match because he was dropped against Liverpool. He wasn't a happy bunny due to Veron taking his position that season and moaned to Fergie about it. So yeah I'd gladly refresh your memory.

He was unhappy at being asked to play for the reserves and regretted it. That doesn't stop him from having been brilliant that season.

 

[Eboue]

bring out the quotes

 

[Billy Blaggs]

Ignore the arguments. I was playing when I mentioned giggs. (Although he was the one that was even better naturally)
Scholes was the best English player since Gazza.

 

[edcunited1878]

"He is the most decorated English footballer of all time, and one of the most successful footballers in history, having won a total of 25 trophies, featuring 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles."

And he has asthma. And he's all of 5 feet 7 inches with ginger hair. Easily a 7/10 player rating before the match. When you talk about the beautiful game, he made it beautiful and without the bullshit.

 

[Lawman]

Ignore the arguments. I was playing when I mentioned giggs. (Although he was the one that was even better naturally)
Scholes was the best English player since Gazza.

100% correct in midfielder terms the guy was a genius. I was asked the other day if I could get 3 players from Fergies 99 team onwards which 3 would I take for this team. My reply was since its fantasy stuff could I just have 3 Paul Scholes so we could dominate the champions league. Player wise for their positions Shearer, Cole and Rio and Terry were all world class also and deserve a mention. Gerrard was also world class.
England really missed the boat and under performed with that generation as it was golden in terms of talent.

 

[Infordin]

Scholes bleeds Manchester United. He was born and raised in Manchester and spent his entire 20 year career at the club, and he was a bloody great player on top of it. I can understand why United fans love him to death.

It's perfectly understandable to hype up your own legends.

 

[Lawman]

Scholes bleeds Manchester United. He was born and raised in Manchester and spent his entire 20 year career at the club, and he was a bloody great player on top of it. I can understand why United fans love him to death.

It's perfectly understandable to hype up your own legends.

Not just us who hype him up but some of the modern greats hold him in such high regard. He was that good.

 

[Infordin]

Out of curiosity, how did Spanish pundits/players see Scholes as? I know we've all seen the quotes from Alonso, Xavi and Zidane but what did your average fan think of him?

http://www.barcaforum.com/showthread.php/11385-Lampard-vs-Gerrad-vs-Scholes

This post in particular stands out to me:

One of a kind midfielder who could do it all, there has never been an English midfielder so technically gifted and who could keep the ball and pass and move like he was Spanish, thats the main reason why he wasn't used properly for England, because the midfielders who were shoe horned in front of him weren't good enough to play a pass and move game which relies on you keeping the ball.

Gerrard and Lampard aren't very good at keeping the ball, they are constantly giving the ball away and when they are pressed the lose the ball easily, they are very English. Scholes, however is a different breed.

Of all the qualities you need to be a top midfielder, pin point passing, keeping the ball the ball under pressure, opening up space for teammates with good movement and reading the game are much more important than being able to chug up down the pitch and attempt 40 yard Hollywood passes every 5 minutes.

 

[Nevilles.Wear.Prada]

Dominated club and world football like rarely anybody has before? He was the best midfielder in the world for around 5 years straight.

Do you think there was any period of time, where Scholes was the best midfielder in the world?

Put messi in front of scholes. And put xavi behind welbecks and rooney. Thats your answer somewhere.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

The fact that Fergie had to bring him out of retirement to recapture the league should tell you all you need to know really.

We did not win the league that season.

 

[Prometheus]

He was brilliant!

However, United fans tend to bring other brilliant players (some at the same level, some better) down a notch when they're talking about Scholes.

 

[RooneyLegend]

Had Sir Alex used him throughout his career like he did at the latter stages of it he'd be rated higher. Slightly better than Xavi imo.

 

[Hamadovich86]

Best United midfielder ever and one of my favorite players ever, criminally underrated not only in Europe but even in England where people seem to fixate on Lampard and Gerrard and weep for their retirement but Scholes just went away quietly (with a PL medal).

 

[Keeps It tidy]

He was brilliant!

However, United fans tend to bring other brilliant players (some at the same level, some better) down a notch when they're talking about Scholes.

Yep

 

[Prometheus]

I remember this especially because he literally came on with about 10 minutes to go and made three outrageous passes that could and perhaps should have resulted in three goals. I haven't seen a player able to do that since in the Premier League

It's just as impressive that after the keeper clears the ball from the first pass it takes him merely 10 seconds to bypass their midfield to make the second pass!

 

[Footyislife]

Really people are comparing Modric to Scholes and Xavi? It's like comparing Bale to Messi or Ronaldo. They are on different levels.

Xavier and Scholes each had their unique strengths. Xavi's intelligence and link up play was second to none, and likewise Scholes is THE best long passer of the ball this earth has ever seen and he also managed to score and assist quite a bit.

Tough choice picking between the two and you can't really go wrong. Gun to my head, I'd choose Scholes just because he could do everything Xavi did in a more physical league and is a more complete midfielder.

We all know Xavi gets more love because people in Spain actually appreciate their central midfielders.

 

[Sparky10Legend]

Great player, but has become a little overrated IMO.

Obviously a legend, but his best wasn't Redondo good, Xavi good etc, but to listen to some on here he was the best DLM the CL era has seen.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

Technically immaculate and he was English!

Also the best long range passer I've seen. Only needed a split second to smash a perfect ball on a wingers chest from 50 yards.

He was a 5 foot 6 ginger Mancunian with asthma and eye problems but was just better than everyone. His heading , short pass, first touch , shooting , vision and ability to make space for himself was amazing.

 

[barmyarmy]

Easily the best midfielder of his generation. Xavi was technically brilliant but scholes was on par to him in many aspects of the game.

The team Xavi played in was easily one of the best club teams of all time. If scholes played in that barca team he would easily overshadow him by a country mile. Its not fair to compare the two best midfielders of all time both were brilliant but Scholes will come on top each time.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Really people are comparing Modric to Scholes and Xavi? It's like comparing Bale to Messi or Ronaldo. They are on different levels.

Xavier and Scholes each had their unique strengths. Xavi's intelligence and link up play was second to none, and likewise Scholes is THE best long passer of the ball this earth has ever seen and he also managed to score and assist quite a bit.

Tough choice picking between the two and you can't really go wrong. Gun to my head, I'd choose Scholes just because he could do everything Xavi did in a more physical league and is a more complete midfielder.

We all know Xavi gets more love because people in Spain actually appreciate their central midfielders.

Modric is closer to Scholes than Scholes is to Xavi.

 

[Lord Megadrive]

Amazing player, Shame the way England treated him to fit in 2 less talented players.