Thierry Henry, the celebrated Arsenal striker, has always admired Paul Scholes, favoring him over Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool stalwart.
During the golden era of the 2000s in the Premier League, both Scholes and Gerrard were midfield maestros, with Scholes boasting 11 Premier League crowns and Gerrard being the catalyst for Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League triumph.
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In the fierce Arsenal-Manchester United rivalry of that time, Henry faced off against Scholes, whose team was a formidable adversary for the Gunners.
Despite Liverpool’s strong contention for the top spot, Henry regards Scholes as superior to Gerrard.
Reflecting on his career in 2020, Henry was posed with the tough question of the best midfielder he encountered. His answer? Scholes took the top spot, edging out the Liverpool legend.
“Paul Scholes,” said Thierry said when asked who the best midfielder was. “The next one would have been, right behind, very close, Stevie G. But I have to go with Paul Scholes. He was just ahead in his head.
“He made Manchester United tick. Every time we were playing them we needed to find a way to stop him. It’s true. I think Stevie G comes really close to him. But Paul Scholes would have to win. You guys in England had, on paper, the best midfield in the world.”
Thierry Henry’s admiration for Paul Scholes extends beyond comparing him to Steven Gerrard. Henry, himself an icon of the Premier League, has humbly placed Scholes above even his own illustrious career.
Despite being celebrated as one of the league’s all-time greats, Henry bestows the title of the division’s finest on Scholes, emphasizing that the English midfielder’s brilliance has been underappreciated.
“I would have to go Paul Scholes. I don’t think people have given him the credit he deserves. One of the best, if not the best, I’ve played against, he could do anything,” Henry told Sky News in 2015.
“Unfortunately for him, when he was playing for the national team, for England, sometimes people didn’t see it like that. If I had a Paul Scholes in my team, everything would be around him.
“At Manchester United, they saw it like that, but I think Paul Scholes is one of the best I’ve played against in this league, and seen anywhere.”
Paul Scholes, a one-club man, graced Manchester United with his presence in over 700 matches. His trophy cabinet is adorned with 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups, and a pair of Champions League victories.
