Paul Scholes Discovers a ‘New Favourite Footballer’ Thrilling Wolves vs Leeds United Clash
Paul Scholes Discovers a ‘New Favourite Footballer’ Thrilling Wolves vs Leeds United Clash
In the electrifying world of the Premier League, where legends are made in a single match, Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has thrown his weight behind an unexpected rising star. Fresh from witnessing Leeds United’s emphatic 3-1 comeback victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 20, 2025, Scholes declared German midfielder Anton Stach as his “new favourite Premier League player.” The announcement, shared via Scholes’ Instagram story, has sent ripples through football circles, igniting debates about the 25-year-old’s meteoric rise since his summer move to Elland Road.
The match at Molineux was a statement performance for Daniel Farke’s Whites, who had endured a frustrating start to the season with just one win and a barren run in front of goal. Wolves struck first through a defensive lapse, but Leeds roared back with clinical precision. Dominic Calvert-Lewin broke his duck with a looped header in the 31st minute, before Stach and Noah Okafor fired in quick-fire strikes to seal the points. Stach’s goal—a curling direct free-kick into the top corner at the 39th-minute mark—drew comparisons to vintage set-piece artistry, earning him Man of the Match honors.
Scholes, no stranger to midfield mastery with his own haul of 155 goals and 700 appearances for United, was glued to the action. “Watched that Wolves game and couldn’t take my eyes off him,” Scholes posted alongside a clip of Stach’s strike. “Anton Stach—my new favourite footballer. The way he controls the tempo, picks those impossible passes… reminds me of my best days. Premier League, meet your next obsession.” It’s a bold endorsement from a pundit whose opinions carry the weight of three Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph.
Stach’s journey to this spotlight has been anything but straightforward. Signed from Hoffenheim in July for a reported €20 million (£17.3m), the 6ft 2in powerhouse arrived with a reputation as a defensive dynamo from his Bundesliga stints at Mainz and Hoffenheim. Yet, under Farke, he’s blossomed into a complete No. 8, blending tenacity with creative flair. In his first four league outings, Stach has created over 10 chances—equaling the output of Eden Hazard in a similar spell—while ranking among the elite for shot-creating actions and ball progression per touch. Opta stats highlight a rare feat: his free-kick goal made him the first player to score their debut Premier League strike from a dead ball since Kalvin Phillips in 2021, cementing his cult status among Leeds faithful.
What sets Stach apart? It’s the intangibles Scholes raves about—the vision to split defenses, the aerial dominance to win duels, and an unyielding work rate that covers every blade of grass. Against Wolves, he notched an assist for Okafor’s tap-in, won 7 of 10 ground duels, and completed 92% of his passes, including a pinpoint cross for Calvert-Lewin. “He’s inspirational,” gushed Leeds United News. “Finally getting the reward he deserves.” Fans on X echoed the sentiment, with one tweeting: “Stach is the heartbeat we needed. Scholes gets it— this lad’s special.”
Scholes’ praise isn’t isolated. Jack Grealish recently hailed similar midfield maestros, but Stach’s blend of grit and grace evokes the United legend’s own ginger-haired genius. As Leeds eye a top-half finish, Stach’s emergence could be pivotal, especially with whispers of a Germany call-up under Julian Nagelsmann. For Scholes, it’s a reminder that football’s beauty lies in discovery. In a league of superstars, Anton Stach is the understated force ready to steal the show. If Saturday’s masterclass is a preview, the Premier League—and Scholes’ affections—are firmly in his grasp.
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