Paul Scholes – The Man Who Would be King
This summer, one of the biggest stories in football involved the English national team and their, to put it politely, sub-standard performance at the World Cup. Spluttering through the group stages after a series of so-so results, England’s shortcomings were then truly laid bare when a fresh, dynamic Germany tore England apart, winning 4-1. The inquest began. At the heart of it was the overriding feeling that England, for all their intangibles like ‘grit’ and ‘determination’ were actually pretty average from a technical perspective. Nowhere near the level of Germany, not to mention Spain, English players were recast as lacking the tactical awareness, positional intelligence, vision and nous to compete with their more sophisticated foreign counterparts.
The level of truth in those perceptions is open to debate. But happily, for those who wish to defend England and the nation’s ability to develop players of supreme technical capacity, there is one man who stands out like a shining beacon – and not for his dazzling shock of ginger hair. That man is Paul Scholes.
“The one player who can do everything…The best player available to England.” – Laurent Blanc.
Paul Scholes is the modern English game’s most predominant football mastermind. Of his generation, there has been no better, more rounded player. And when the curtain comes down on his magnificent, illustrious career, as it might at the end of this season, I am confident that in years to come he will be mentioned in the pantheon of great English players, up there alongside the likes of Stanley Mattews, Tom Finney and Bobby Charlton.
Before we can complete any fair analysis and appreciation of Paul Scholes however, one issue needs putting to one side. The fact is, a lot of people don’t like Manchester United. I can hear, with my X-ray internet ears, people grumbling at the back. People who out of a sense of tribalistic duty to club are reading this and mumbling bitterly about Scholes being ‘nowhere near as good as Lampard/Gerrard/Fabregas/Nicky Summerbee (delete as appropriate).
Again, many people really do not like Manchester United. This is a shame, because one could question the extent to which club allegiances have played a part in Scholes not getting the wider recognition his immense talent deserves. After all, he is a Manchester United player, and if you don’t support them it is fashionable to consider them with deepest disdain.
“The best midfielder in the world. He’s what the rest of us aspire to. He can do everything: tackle, pass, score goals.” – Edgar Davids
He is also not the most glamorous. You are more likely to see Phil Brown win Britain’s Got Talent than Scholes in a nightclub or on giant billboards advertising designer underwear. The net result of this shy, retiring nature is obvious. The less we talk about someone, the more likely they are to be overlooked.
However, though Scholes may not fit the profile of the modern, celebrity footballer, one circle in which Scholes will never be ignored is in that of his peers.
To truly appreciate Scholes the player, the man who could play a 70 yard pass onto a Cadbury’s Crème Egg wrapper if the situation required, one of the smallest players in the game yet one of the best at heading, one whose command of a football is so awe-inspiring it conjures in the brain the sound of classical music and clinking glasses filled with vintage wine, it is best to gather the thoughts of his peers.
“Scholes is undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation.”- Zinedine Zidane
As Zidane (who knows a thing or two about being a midfielder) exemplifies, Scholes is held in the highest esteem by contemporaries. As the story goes, in the Real Madrid dressing room of Zidane, Beckham, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos, when discussing great football players it was Paul Scholes for whom they most reserved their collective admiration.
“As a footballer sometimes we play keep-ball. If Scholesy is on your team, that team is winning. It’s a simple as that. You just can’t get the ball off him. And everyone knows that, and everyone knows that if you just give him the ball, lend him it and you’ll get it back, or he’ll keep it. (It’s) what all great players have got, just time on the ball. You just cannot get near him. You can’t get near him.” – Ryan Giggs
Trying to think of a favourite Paul Scholes moment is like trying to name your favourite Jimi Hendrix song, or your favourite scene in The Wire. There are just too many to consider. Over the course of a 16 year senior career that began in 1994, Scholes has outlasted three British governments, remaining at the top of his profession the entire time.
It has been interesting, in an era of kneeling at the altar of Spain, to witness the showering of praise and accolades heading Xavi and Andres Iniesta’s way by FIFA and various other international bodies in recent years. Fully merited, no doubt, but when I watch them play – their awareness, their ability to retain possession in pressure situations, their ability to slow a game down from 100 miles an hour to what seems like slow motion – it always reminds me of a certain timid lad from Salford.
“(He) batters the ball in training. Gary Neville was having a piss one day, 45 yards away by a fence. Scholes whacked him right in the arse.” – Sir Alex Ferguson
Scholes - one of football's greats
From a club perspective, Scholes’ story is the stuff of fairytale. He has achieved almost everything he ever dreamed of, and all with his local team. Last season, a Manchester United fanzine asked Scholes which team he would most like to score a last minute winner against. “City,” came the reply. “I’m a Manchester lad, so I’d have to say City.” Weeks later he ticked that off the box with a last-gasp header at Eastlands. Scoring 149 times over his career to date, the sheer variety of goals is a testament to both his command over the ball and versatility. Headers, volleys, 30 yard screamers, tap-ins, goals with left foot or right – little is beyond him.
But, somehow, even the goals fail to do Paul Scholes justice. The 149 goals are markers of his effectiveness, but it is the sheer economy of Scholes’ game that renders him a player for the ages.
Knowing what to do, when and doing it with minimal fuss. Sometimes, in life as in football, the most memorable moments are also the most simple. The simplicity in Scholes’ game, the serene manner in which he receives the ball, works his way out of a tight situation, offers it and finds a teammate, is inspiring simply because it looks so easy. He plays through defences with all the effortlessness of a hot knife through butter.
“Ask Patrick [Vieira] which midfielder he most dislikes playing against and he will tell you: Paul Scholes. No one else. He’s always moving, creating. He’s the best player I’ve seen since coming to England.” – Thierry Henry
From an international perspective of course England may forever wonder what might have been. What if Scholes were not such an intense family man? What if Sven Goran Eriksson hadn’t frustrated him into retirement by shunting him out to left midfield? What if Fabio Capello had gone that extra yard to cajole Scholes into one final hurrah in South Africa? In a team that struggled so desperately to keep the ball for any prolonged period, Scholes’ might have transformed England’s fortunes completely.
At 35 it is last orders for Paul Scholes’ career at the highest level. He will be 36 in November. Despite this you will do well to find two better all-round midfield performances this season than Scholes in the Community Shield against Chelsea and in United’ 3-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United. Both were majestic.
The signs are already there that, if this does prove to be Scholes’ final season in football, he will treat it just as he has done his whole career. Turn up, often at some of the biggest, most intimidating arenas in world football, dictate the tempo of the game, organise play with all the intellectual might of a chess champion and then trot off the field quietly, back into the arms of his family, away from the glare of the limelight he so willingly shied away from, for the last time.
One day, perhaps soon, Paul Scholes will no longer be around to grace a football field with his presence. Enjoy him while you can.
“One of the best football brains Manchester United have ever had.” –Sir Alex Ferguson.
(Pic #1 via Today is a good day on Flickr)
(Pic #2 via Mirror Sport)
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About Jonathan F
The boss of this here... Creator and Editor of Just-Football.com, world football analyst, watcher, freelancer and all-round enthusiast. French football analyst for Football Radar. Write for FourFourTwo, have also written for ITV, When Saturday Comes and others.
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Brilliant write up
I agree, i thoroughly enjoyed readng this. What a legend! When he does retire it will be a sad day for United and for football as a sport…until then, keep doing what you’ve always done Scholesy!!
Amazing write up of such a great great player, Sven made the biggest mistake in his career by forcing Scholes in to retierment wasting his time. Its a scandal that he’s never won an individual award before
Hi guys, thanks for the comments. Russell, you’re right – if you look at Scholes’ individual honours he has gone criminally unrecognised by the games major governing bodies. When you think Michael Owen won a European Footballer of the Year award (with the greatest respect to Owen) it almost beggars belief.
Xavi is the closest thing since Scholes to Scholes, and as I mentioned above its interesting to note how Xavi is being showered with FIFA/UEFA awards while Scholes was ignored back in his prime. Then again, all that hoorah fuss of FIFA dinners and award ceremonies probably would terrify Scholes!
beautifully written..
Im an Arsenal fan and like it said at the beginning of the article were not too fond of Man Utd!!! However Paul Scholes Is pure Genius and i bemoan the fact that his England career was cut short and maybe not for footballing reasons. But to watch him dictate things with such ease is a pleasure to watch. His tackling though is terrible and probably the only low scoring fact on the Paul Scholes top trump!!! well done Paul for a great career and as long as it dosnt effect the gunners i hope it may continue!!!
I agree and im a Man City fan
Nice article mate, obviously as a Man Utd fan I can see Scholes’ legend status so clearly. I think you’re right that the comments of his peers, Zidane, David so many more says it all.
As for England, he should have as many caps or more than someone like David Beckham (who of course I also love). Reading that about Sven and playing him on the LEFT, makes me laugh. Well, no, it actually makes me sick that he was put there and forced into retirement.
It’s a shame that he doesn’t get the same recognition from FIFA etc, but in the end it doesn’t matter to football fans, and those who’ve been watching him for so many years – it will be a sad day when he quits the game after such a career.
Your absolutely right. I cant decide my favourite scene from The Wire…or my favourite Jim Hendrix song for that matter.
Oh, Scholes is alright I suppose…
Written so recently, but when I googled Paul Scholes today to check out any news articles on his two man of the match performances this season alone and found this article, I hate to think how I would see Paul Scholes leave without such an amazing tribute to him from here. Well done.
After reading this, and watched the vidoe nearly made me cry, honestly. What a fantastik player, noone like him, and i doubt there ever will be one! I somehow feel sad that he never won any personal adwards, but then again, do he even care? Just sad that there is so few who actully know about the genius of this man.
but thumbs up for the artikle, and sorry for the bad english;)
Hi Nicolai, thanks very much for commenting. Glad you enjoyed the article. You’re right, there aren’t many around like Scholes. I hope I’ve been able to do the great man at least some justice with this tribute. And don’t worry, your English is great!
A well-written article about an absolute legend. The comment about rival fans down-playing the abilities of United players is correct, but I’ve always found that everyone can usually appreciate how good Paul Scholes is.
He could even tackle without getting booked if he realy wanted to you know…
I’ve been a fan of Paul Scholes since 1997, he’s been my favorite Man U and England player. Okay, listen up, I’ve been saying for years (and have been ridiculed for it) that Scholes’ natural successor is Wayne Rooney. I don’t care if Rooney is a forward and Scholes plays center mid. In terms of temperament, skills, vision and passion for the game, Rooney is like Scholes. I happen to think he should play as an attacking mid as it suits his strengths more.
He wants to be involved in the plays, he wants to control the attack, he has the ability to do that, and his playing up front means he cannot do any of that, which is why he gets frustrated.
Rooney is not selfish and is less interested in scoring goals than playing a part in it. He has said so himself, that he enjoys providing the killer pass which leads to a goal. The mindset of a true forward is selfish, always on the hunt for goals (think David Villa). Rooney scores lots of goals because he is a damn good player but his mindset is more about creating chances.
I genuinely think he would be happier if placed in an attacking mid position, like Cesc Fabregas. There would be less pressure on him to score and it would free him up to create the chances (and score as well). Seeing this video of Scholes just confirmed that for me.
Rina, thanks for your comment and for providing an interesting perspective.
Not so sure Rooney would make a great attacking midfielder myself. He’s very good, but I’m not sure he’s quite cerebral enough to dictate the pace of a game the way Scholes does. Don’t get me wrong, Rooney is a highly intelligent player, but to be a great playmaker you need to be able to put your foot on the ball and slow down the tempo from time to time in a game.
Rooney is a 100 miles an hour type player, and I’m not sure he could resist the urge to charge around everywhere. He’d also try to get involved in all areas of the pitch (and hence getting dragged out of his midfield position). His long range shooting also isn’t as fantastic as people make out (only 1 goal outside of the box for United since January 2009 I think).
So for those reasons, overall I think Rooney is best utilised as a striker, even if it is more as a number 10 than number 9.
Anyone agree with me?
Without wanting to label Rooney as anything, his best position is infront of the midfield and off a main striker – that area. Fair enough he scored a lot of goals last season as the main man, but that’s because he is such a good footballer and was the best option available to do it. I agree though, for me he’s a striker, but one that shouldn’t be pinned down and should be free to drift and both add goals and create for a proper #9 type striker.
I think maybe as he gets older, he could drop back slightly, but I’m not sure I’d really want him in a true midfield position like Scholes.
Always been a genius of football and it’s nice to see him getting the recognition he deserves. I think the clip of him picking up an award from Sir Bobby Charlton sums him up beautifully. Quick photo and handshake then he hands the plaque back and trots off to play football.
Loves the game and the game loves him, there a perfect match.
Agree with you 100% David – I remember that game and as you say, he accepted his accolade sheepishly before just running off to do what he knows – play football.
And he scored in that game too, against Liverpool!
I find it absolutely amazing that scholes is still playing and at a high standard too, and giggs as well those two have really managed to extend their careers beyond what their years should allow them too.