'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Paul Scholes
My favourite memory of Paul Scholes was THAT rocket against Barcelona en route to the 2008 Champions League title. The ball fell right in front of him and the technique to hit it with his laces was exquisite. If there ever was an unsavable shot, this was it!
Paul Scholes remains the only English midfielder of recent times who could 'pull the strings' from midfield. At the beginning of his career, he was deployed as an attacking midfielder, sometimes even as a striker because of his shooting skills and because he could also score headed goals.
Technically astute, Scholes had the ability to find a man 70 yards across the field with an accurate pass. His ability to read the game was unparalleled and his distribution was supreme.
His partnership in midfield with Roy Keane, deployed as a destroyer, was instrumental in Manchester United winning multiple major trophies. After having first retired in 2011, He eventually came out of retirement in 2012 picking up his 11th league title in 2013. He also won Champions League twice, in 1999 (though he missed the final due to suspension) and in 2008. He scored 109 league goals adding a further 26 in the Champions League.
His international career was much less successful and he retired in 2004, aged just 30, after winning 64 caps. One of the main reasons for his retirement was then England coach, Sven Goan Eriksson's, decision to play him on the left side of midfield instead of the more favoured central midfield. He ended his international career with 14 goals including a hattrick against Poland.
Some of the quotes about Scholsey are phenomenal. Brazillian legend Socrates said that Scholes had the technique to get into the Brazil side. Barcelona legend Xavi rates him as the best midfielder of his generation.
Leo Messi has stated that he is mentioned frequently at Barcelona's academy, the La Masia. Thierry Henry has opined that Scholes is the greatest player to play in the Premier League because he could 'do anything'.
99 Yellow cards in the league apparently are a testament that he couldn't tackle. Well, one can't have it all!
