Xavi vs Scholes

Tough one. I see people are comparing International performances but it's far easier for Xavi to control the game with more technically accomplished players who have the same style of play.

I want to say Scholes but I think I would be more comfortable with Xavi in my team. I'm not too sure.
 
MehdiMahdavikia said:
Xavi was injured during the 2006 final. Xavi was comfortably much better than Scholes from around 2003 onwards, nobody remember Xavi and Ronaldinho tearing teams up around that time. I don't think Scholes pushed on well enough from the form he had in 02/03 and has gradually drifted deeper back in the side to the point were he's a bit of a Makalele type now. While Xavi's gone in the opposite direction and has become more of a trequartista as he's matured.
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I rmember Xavi playing really deep! Wouldn't say he had that much effect as Scholes did, Deco comfortably outshone him during Rijkaard's glory period.
 
MehdiMahdavikia said:
Xavi was injured during the 2006 final. Xavi was comfortably much better than Scholes from around 2003 onwards, nobody remember Xavi and Ronaldinho tearing teams up around that time. I don't think Scholes pushed on well enough from the form he had in 02/03 and has gradually drifted deeper back in the side to the point were he's a bit of a Makalele type now. While Xavi's gone in the opposite direction and has become more of a trequartista as he's matured.
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I think the eye issue played a big part in that I thought he had decent 03-4 and 04-5; 14 and 12 goals respectively. I really regret that SAF sold Veron because he could have been a great partner alongside Scholes then, as it was United were shorthanded those two years, and then Scholes had the eye problem the next year and missed a lot of it. In 2006-7 he didnt score that much but dictated much of United's stunning play that year.
 
Boss said:
I rmember Xavi playing really deep! Wouldn't say he had that much effect as Scholes did, Deco comfortably outshone him during Rijkaard's glory period.
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Well Deco didn't even play for Barca in the 03/04 season and Xavi was brilliant. Deco was a bit better during 04/05 and did a lot to cover Xavi's absence for a lot of 05/06 but Xavi has always been a huge part of Barca keeping possesion. Paul didn't push on from an excellent run of form when he was 29/30ish while Xavi has won almost everything in football at that age.
 
MehdiMahdavikia said:
Well Deco didn't even play for Barca in the 03/04 season and Xavi was brilliant. Deco was a bit better during 04/05 and did a lot to cover Xavi's absence for a lot of 05/06 but Xavi has always been a huge part of Barca keeping possesion. Paul didn't push on from an excellent run of form when he was 29/30ish while Xavi has won almost everything in football at that age.
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But since Deco came he was the shitttttttt, well he was alot more influential than Xavi who played alot deeper, almost like a defensive midfielder. Since he went to Chelsea people forget just how good Deco used to be, he was sensational in that Barca team although he was king of the deflected goals.

During that period I would say Scholes was better, that's the problem, Xavi's main days on top truly came under Pep or maybe Rijkaard's last season. Scholes has done it for longer.
 
Heart says Scholes and head says Xavi. I'd just edge with Xavi but he doesn't score often does he? which would be thought of as a hinderance.
 
Boss said:
But since Deco came he was the shitttttttt, well he was alot more influential than Xavi who played alot deeper, almost like a defensive midfielder. Since he went to Chelsea people forget just how good Deco used to be, he was sensational in that Barca team although he was king of the deflected goals.

During that period I would say Scholes was better, that's the problem, Xavi's main days on top truly came under Pep or maybe Rijkaard's last season. Scholes has done it for longer.
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I agree with this.
 
We always bang on about how underrated Paul Scholes is, to the point where you begin to think in fact, he can't be because we're all talking about how much we rate him... but then you see how some people continue to talk about him, and you realise, he really is! I love this remark that the continentals will judge him differently. Well the continentals don't know what the feck they're talking about if that's the case, do they! As it is I think that's bollocks anyway
 
Glenn Hoddle : "There isn’t a player of his mould anywhere else in the world."

Terry Venables : "He’s the best one- or two-touch passer in the country. He sees the game unlike any other player."

Alan Shearer : "If you ask footballers to pick out the player they most admire, so many of them will pick Paul Scholes. He can tackle, and his passing and shooting is of the highest level. He’s the most consistent and naturally gifted player we’ve had for a long, long time."

Eidur Gudjohnsen : "I'm more an admirer of Paul Scholes than I am of Ronaldo. Ronaldo is a fantastic player, but he has 10 other great players around him every week...Scholes is one of the most complete footballers I've ever seen. His one-touch play is phenomenal. Whenever I have played against him, I never felt I could get close to him."

Edgar Davids : ""Every one of us (midfielders) is just trying to become as good as him. Everyone can learn from Paul Scholes."

Edgar Davids : "I'm not the best, Paul Scholes is."

Tony Adams : "I really rate Paul Scholes, because he hasn't got the high profile of many of the Manchester United players, he doesn't get too much attention, but he is one very good player. He is an intelligent player, he works hard and he scores some great goals. He is not flamboyant and is a quiet lad off the pitch but he is a tremendous asset to Manchester United and to England. He has already got my vote as player of the year."

Cesc Fabregas : "He is the one whose level I aspire to. He is the best player in the Premier League."

Patrick Vieira : "The player in the Premiership I admire most? Easy - Scholes."

Thierry Henry : "I can't understand why Scholes has never won the player of the year award. He should have won it long ago. Maybe it's because he doesn't seek the limelight like some of the other 'stars'."

Zinedine Zidane : "My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder."

Zinedine Zidane : "Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation."

Sam Allardyce : "There is not a better midfield player in the world."

Kevin Keegan : "What United have got that Chelsea haven't is Paul Scholes. I think he is different to anything else in English football."

Marcello Lippi : "Paul Scholes would have been one of my first choices for putting together a great team - that goes to show how highly I have always rated him. Scholes is a player I have always liked, because he combines great talent and technical ability with mobility, determination and a superb shot. He is an all-round midfielder who possesses character and quality in abundance. In my opinion, he's been one of the most important players for United under Sir Alex."

Ray Wilkins : "I'm saddened because I think we as spectators, not only in this country but right through out Europe and the rest of the World, will be missing one hell of a footballer."

Gordon Strachan : "Paul Scholes has been the best England midfield player for 30-odd years. You'd probably have to go back to Bobby Charlton to find someone who could do as much as Scholes. When the ball arrives at his feet he could tell you where every player on that pitch is at that moment. His awareness is superb."

Veron while at Chelsea being asked in an interview who's the best english player : "Paul Scholes."

Peter Schmeichel : "People say he is a great player, but you have to define what a great player is, For me, it is a player who has a bottom level that means his worst performance is not noticed.If he is having a bad game, a team-mate might feel Paul Scholes is not quite on his game, but a spectator wouldn't notice. Scholes, of all the players I have played with, has the highest bottom level. His reading of the game is unsurpassed.He has an eye for a pass, for what the play or the game needs at that precise moment, that I have never seen anyone else have. He controls and distributes the play and the game better than anyone I have ever seen."

Laurent Blanc : "Scholes is the best English player. Intelligence, technique, strength... all the attributes are there. At Manchester United I saw what he could do on the training field. Phew!"

David Beckham said that, among his teammates at Real Madrid, which included Zinedine Zidane, Raúl, Ronaldo, Luís Figo and Roberto Carlos, Scholes was the most admired opponent : "He's always one of those people others talk about. Even playing at Real Madrid, the players always say to me 'what's he like'? They respect him as a footballer, and to have that respect from some of those players is great."
 
Boss said:
I rmember Xavi playing really deep! Wouldn't say he had that much effect as Scholes did, Deco comfortably outshone him during Rijkaard's glory period.
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As I recall it, it was usually a defensive midfielder behind Deco (who was slightly to the left of the advanced midfield) and Xavi (who was slightly to the right).

Deco was probably the better of the two (although not by all that much) in his first two seasons at barca, but then again Deco was probably the best attacking playmaker in the world at the time and considered by many barca fans to rival Ronaldinho in importance. What really impressed me about Deco then was his willingness to track back and work hard in defense so often and somehow always manage to still be in the fray up field when called upon.

People talk about how amazing Guardiola's barca is but they are not that far ahead of the team Rijkaard delivered for some 2½ seasons, once he got them going. And I remember them being very aggressive in pressuring opponents as well. Rijkaard's big flaw was that he could not maintain the discipline he installed in them (that said, I do think Guardiola has taken them even further).
 
B Cantona said:
We always bang on about how underrated Paul Scholes is, to the point where you begin to think in fact, he can't be because we're all talking about how much we rate him... but then you see how some people continue to talk about him, and you realise, he really is! I love this remark that the continentals will judge him differently. Well the continentals don't know what the feck they're talking about if that's the case, do they! As it is I think that's bollocks anyway
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To be honest, until around 2 years ago, unless the Spanish had satellite TV for example, they never saw a Premier League game, so what the continentals think really doesn't wash. Even now, unlike in the UK that sees a lot of Spanish football now, most Spanish football fans see very little of the Premier League, so their opinions can't even be formed.

I judge Paul Scholes on what I've seen of him over 16 years, and he's a better player than Javier Hernandez.
 
I think it's very difficult to separate them in terms of their domestic achievements. Both have had long and successful careers and are right up there with the greatest midfielders we've seen in recent history. It's a privilege to have watched these outstanding pass masters of the game.

If you compare international achievements then Xavi edges ahead though. Him, and Spain have succeeded where Scholes, and England have failed.

That's all there is to it really.
 
Xavi's crossbar challenge on UEFA.COM

Pretty disgraceful from Xavi. I'd wager that Scholes would get minimum of 7, and probably 8 or 9.

Over their respective careers, Xavi probably edges it as a midfielder. Schole's role has changed, and from an attacking midfielder/second striker he's become a deep lying playmaker. Xavi's been in midfield all his life. At their peaks, there's absolutely nothing to separate them. Scholes has the better long range passing, Xavi's probably better at quick, 1-2 layoff play.
 
get the feeling a lot of answers on here are coloured by Paul Scholes current contribution compared with Xavis. For many many years now Scholes has been a great player and a matchwinner on the big occasion. given the choice between Xavi now and Scholes in his prime I would go for Scholes.
 
Ekeke said:
He's not as good at passing and retaining the ball. Sorry, he's just not.
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Current Scholes yes. How quickly you forget though, Scholes used to consistently put in displays where he'd run the game and no other midfielder could get near him. He'd play himself out of trouble with a few feints, twists and make a clean forward pass. His generally passing ability was bar none, the best in the world. A few like Xavi, Pirlo, Fabregas could come near in terms of accuracy from all distances.

What Xavi does now.
 
no one hits a pass like paul scholes. He can fire a ball with minimal back lift, 70 yards across pitch, at around 100mph, with the ball rising barely 3ft from the ground and it'll land on a feckin postage stamp
 
I think the main different in terms of passing style is that Xavi makes more those 'unlocking' passes where he spots a run and then finds the maybe foot wide gap in the defence to get it through, whereas Scholes passing is/was more just... naturally clever is the only way I can really explain it (see Rooneys first against Milan in 07).
 
What's all this bollocks about Scholes never being able to dominate in the bigger matches, the last time Xavi and Scholes played against each other, a 33yr old Scholes managed to outplay Xavi(Not talking about the Rome match as Scholes come as a substitute in the 75th Minute)
 
Addis said:
Current Scholes yes. How quickly you forget though, Scholes used to consistently put in displays where he'd run the game and no other midfielder could get near him. He'd play himself out of trouble with a few feints, twists and make a clean forward pass. His generally passing ability was bar none, the best in the world. A few like Xavi, Pirlo, Fabregas could come near in terms of accuracy from all distances.

What Xavi does now.
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Sorry, not on the big european nights against the other top midfields. Xavi beats him hands down in that respect. But thats no insult to Scholes, Xavi beats just about everyone hands down at keeping the ball and passing through any side in the world. Scholes at his best still wasnt as good at it as Xavi. But he made up for that with his goals which Xavi has never really contributed. Hence, draw.
 
Agreed.. Would Xavi be able to score that goal at 35 feck off!!! lol
 
Karan Mittal said:
What's all this bollocks about Scholes never being able to dominate in the bigger matches, the last time Xavi and Scholes played against each other, a 33yr old Scholes managed to outplay Xavi(Not talking about the Rome match as Scholes come as a substitute in the 75th Minute)
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This isn't true at all. He scored a brilliant goal but that's 10 seconds of the 90. Neither side played well that day.
 
Ole's_toe_poke said:
He ran the game.
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:lol: :lol:. No but seriously, Xavi against us in Rome. That is running a game. Scholes vs Fulham last season, that is running a game. Against Barcelona Scholes was tidy and scored a fantastic goal.
 
Suedesi said:
Close thread.
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Well, they are quite different players, and their scoring record shows this. Scholes has played 16 seasons, and Xavi 13 - The first 3 of those was a mix of the A and B team. Scholes has scored 150 goals in 641 appearances, Xavi 56 goals in 580 appearances. Scholes destroys him in Europe with 26 (123 appearances) goals compared to Xavi's 8 (116 appearances). He also has almost 2 times as many International goals.
 
It's a silly comparison to begin with.

In fact, there are very few players you could compare someone as dynamic as Scholes to.

Unless you want to compare the Scholes of 2006 onwards to Xavi, it doesn't make much sense.
 
Karan Mittal said:
What's all this bollocks about Scholes never being able to dominate in the bigger matches, the last time Xavi and Scholes played against each other, a 33yr old Scholes managed to outplay Xavi(Not talking about the Rome match as Scholes come as a substitute in the 75th Minute)
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Really? What game was this? Because I remember from that two legged tie against Barca was Man utd camping in their own half and playing on the counter for most of those two games, it worked so fair play. Doesn't sound like a match where any of your players dominated them especially in midfield.
 
JazzG said:
Really? What game was this? Because I remember from that two legged tie against Barca was Man utd camping in their own half and playing on the counter for most of those two games, it worked so fair play. Doesn't sound like a match where any of your players dominated them especially in midfield.
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Is how I remember it too.
 
35 years old, being compared to the in-form midfielder in the world and still comes out on top.

It's number 18.
 
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