Furball to rage but its clearly closer than he would ever let on. The best two English midfielders post-Gascoigne but who is/was the better player?
Very close though, very. Overall, I'd choose Scholes over Gerrard if I had to. For tackling, I'd choose Gerrard every day, for passing I'd choose Scholes, for a beautifully place goal from 20 yards, I'd choose Scholes, for a 20 yard piledriver I'd choose Gerrard. For a set piece I'd choose Gerrard, for a 50 yard hollywood pass, I'd choose Schooles. Gerrard always wins if it's a header though.
Scholes easy. Always played well and is probably the main reason why United won so much silverware because he was able to dominate the middle of the park in attack and defence
Probably not dominate in defence. Although he was certainly an influence. Probably in that the attackers were scared he'd injure them with a late challenge.
What would be interesting in a completely hypothetical world would be how they would each have done in a career swap. Scholes has obviously achieved way more domestically. But how would he have done in Gerrard's shoes? Gerrard's last two international tournaments way above anything Scholes did for his country but given he wrote himself out when at his peak it's not a fair comparison to use.
Similar careers, but I would definitely say that Gerrard is and was the better player. Chelsea fans would probably disagree, and a handful of others, but not many. Don't get me wrong, Lampard is a top player, just not as good as Gerrard or Scholes.
1) Scholes 2) Gerrard 3) Lampard In that order for me. All very good players though. On his day Gerrard could be crazy good and drive games single handedly as a leader. Lampard has been phenomenal goal scorer from midfield and a decent all round player with fantastic movement. Meanwhile Scholes was a complete all round player playing in a midfield 2 and box to box and then as a Deep Lying playmaker with super technique and passing.
You're right, it is unsurprising. I nearly called you up on Scholes as well, until I realised it would most likely fall upon deaf ears.
Erm.. what? You're welcome to tell me why you think Scholes is better than Gerrard and if I think you're right I'll change my mind. Whilst Scholes is/was most definitely better at certain aspects, I don't consider him the better player. Gerrard's seamless transition into a DLP is just solidifying my opinion, ITBT.
I meant you rating Lampard above Scholes too, tbh. I'm a huge fan of Gerrard, but I just prefer Scholes.
I meant consider in the sense that I'm undecided. It's not something I've particularly thought about. Even so, I'd love to know why so many rate Scholes above Gerrard.
I think the only real reason for me is Scholes consistency. I mean I know Gerrard is consistent, but Scholes goes about his business and gets it done every single time. The fact that he had a 97% pass completion rate in his comeback game from retirement against City says it all to me. Iirc, he didn't play the whole game, but even so. To be out of the game then come back in the FA Cup in a derby game against the team that won the league and have that completion rate is crazy. Unless he only played 20 minutes, obv. The season he came out of retirement, his pass completion rate was 92.37%!
Gerrard is/was incredible. He's carried Liverpool on his own at times. Offers goals, great vision, defensively great, disciplined. He's got the lot. He's one of very few players that terrify me when we play. But even after all that I'd rather have Scholes. Even though he's an utter dog at tackling on the ball there have been none better.