Paul Scholes vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Set Paul Scholes alongside Clint Dempsey and the numbers start an argument of their own. Both built reputations on finding the back of the net, but they did it in markedly different ways. By the end Paul Scholes had 169 goals from 784 caps and club outings; Clint Dempsey had 180 from 550. The assist columns read 75 for Paul Scholes and 90 for Clint Dempsey where the record exists. Trophy counts give Paul Scholes 17 and Clint Dempsey 2, with 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008) and 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014) the standout honours respectively. Where Paul Scholes was a intelligent presence in the box, Clint Dempsey offered a mercurial approach to goalscoring. The wider career context matters too: Paul Scholes peaked around 2008 after representing Manchester United, while Clint Dempsey's defining level came around 2012 across New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
159 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
Manchester United midfielder renowned for his passing range and vision; two-time Champions League winner.
“A short-sighted, single-touch midfielder whose passing range was unmatched in his generation.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008)
- 11× Premier League
- 3× FA Cup (1996, 1999, 2004)
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (2008)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1994 Manchester United debut
- 1996 First Premier League title
- 1999 Treble winner with Manchester United
- 2003 Briefly retired from England duty
- 2008 Second Champions League winner
- 2011 Came out of retirement to help Manchester United
- 2013 Retired for good at Manchester United
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
If forced to pick, Paul Scholes is the choice: a decisive margin, with a weightier trophy cabinet the deciding factor.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
