One feat stands above all others as the international break gives PlayTheGame managers the chance to take a breather and review the opening weeks. Step forward Paul Scholes. The Manchester United midfield player is also enjoying a well earned rest after completing 311 successful passes this season, 110 more than his closest rival, Frank Lampard, of Chelsea. No player has shown such dominance over his peers in a single scoring category as Scholes in the SP column.
As Steve McClaren struggles to find four fit bodies capable of filling the midfield in Saturday’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel, the England head coach may be wishing he could call on Scholes, who retired from international football three years ago. The 32-year-old has played every minute of United’s five Barclays Premier League games and kept possession supremely well.
At his present rate, Scholes will accrue 2,364 successful passes this season, 270 more than the highest total of last season, by Cesc Fabregas, of Arsenal. And who was second in the SP category in 2006-07, before PlayTheGame fantasy became a reality? You guessed it, Paul Scholes, with 1,889.
Given the midfield competition at Old Trafford and cup commitments, Scholes is unlikely to feature in all league matches and some of United’s top-flight rivals have played a game fewer, depriving their players of a chance to close the gap in the SP race. However, England’s loss remains PlayTheGame managers’ gain as Scholes owners realise his success is no passing phase.
Comments (2)
As Scholes is the best passer in the Premiership (if not the earth, solar system or even galaxy) this is no surprise, he's probably Man United's best player too, yet modestly stays out of the limelight. If he'd only have continued his England career then World Cup 2006 could've been much better instead of the Lampard horror show, a central pairing of Gerrard & Scholes would've been far superior! Paul save England before it's too late!
Posted by Sid Lizard | September 6, 2007 8:23 PM
Posted on September 6, 2007 20:23
And if you've got Scholes in tandem with Ferdinand, you're doubly happy. I've lost count of the number of times this pair have exchanged passes.
Posted by Dave Burton | September 12, 2007 3:14 AM
Posted on September 12, 2007 03:14