Owen Hargreaves Weighs In: Settling the Paul Scholes vs. Steven Gerrard Midfield Debate
The age-old question that has divided football fans for years: who was the better midfielder, Paul Scholes or Steven Gerrard? These two England icons, legends of Manchester United and Liverpool respectively, consistently delivered world-class performances throughout their careers, accumulating a cabinet full of trophies in the process. The debate about their individual superiority rages on, fuelled by passionate supporters on both sides. Now, former England star and Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves has offered his perspective, having played alongside Paul Scholes and against Steven Gerrard.
Hargreaves, in a past interview, shared his thoughts on the two midfield maestros. Speaking to talkSPORT back in September 2024, Hargreaves acknowledged the unique qualities of both players.
He stated:
- “Both crazy players, different.”
- “Scholesy’s like smaller and not as physical, Stevie, he’s like 6ft1 and everything.”
- “But, Scholesy, I love Scholesy. He was just, two steps ahead of everybody.”
When directly asked if Scholes was the ultimate midfielder he had played with, Hargreaves’ answer was emphatic:
- “All day.”
While this statement clearly leans towards Scholes, Hargreaves has provided more nuanced insights in the past, particularly in a 2021 interview with Give Me Sport. He delved deeper into the contrasting styles and strengths of Scholes and Gerrard, offering a comprehensive comparison of these two legendary figures in English football.
Hargreaves on Scholes, Gerrard & Lampard: England’s Golden Generation Midfield Talents
In the 2021 interview, Hargreaves elaborated on what made Paul Scholes so exceptional, emphasizing his footballing intelligence and effortless style:
- “Scholesy is one of the smartest players I’ve ever seen kick a ball. Even in England training in that generation – we had Becks, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney and so on – whoever’s team he was on won. He just had a thing where he made football look so easy.”
However, Hargreaves was equally effusive in his praise for Steven Gerrard, highlighting his all-around game and commanding physical presence:
- “But again, Stevie was different. Stevie was good at everything and he could kill you. Physically so strong. He could tackle, pass long, pass short, drive from midfield, come up with huge goals – personality to die for.”
The discussion inevitably extends to Frank Lampard, another iconic midfielder often mentioned in the same breath as Scholes and Gerrard. Hargreaves lauded Lampard’s relentless work ethic and winning mentality:
- “And then you’ve got Frank. Frank was the ultimate winner. He made the absolute most out of everything he had. I loved that about Frank.”
- “I just used to watch him work all of the time. In England training: work, work, work. Just to improve to get better.”
Ultimately, Hargreaves avoids definitively crowning one player as ‘better’ than the others, recognizing their individual greatness and distinct contributions to the game:
- “So, it’s not a fair comparison because they’re all so special and if Scholesly had got in [the Hall of Fame] first, I don’t think Frank or Stevie would have been upset.”
- “I don’t think Scholsey would have been upset that Frank and Stevie got it in because we’re talking about three really iconic players.”
In conclusion, while Hargreaves clearly holds Paul Scholes in incredibly high regard, even stating he is the “ultimate midfielder,” his deeper analysis recognizes the unique brilliance of both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. The Scholes vs Gerrard debate might never truly be settled definitively, and perhaps that’s precisely what makes it so compelling. Each player brought their own exceptional qualities to the pitch, enriching English football and leaving an indelible mark on the beautiful game.
What are your thoughts? Who do you think is the greatest midfielder between Scholes and Gerrard? Share your opinion in the comments below!