Thierry Henry Claimed England Legend Was the Best Player in Premier League History

 There was a time when Thierry Henry's presence alone was enough to strike fear in the hearts of defenders. Such a combination of pace, technique and flair was simply overwhelming, and this was key to his dominance over the Premier League.

Any list of the best players to have ever played in the English top-flight is incomplete without the Frenchman, and many would say he comfortably reserved his place on the podium too. But when asked about who he thought was the greatest ever Premier League player, Henry's answer humbly opted against putting himself forward.

In fact, his answer, surprisingly, wasn't one of the vastly talented attackers that once lit up the competition either; it was instead someone largely underrated by many.

Henry Named Paul Scholes as Greatest Premier League Player

The ex-Red Devil often goes under the radar

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports News, Henry hailed Manchester United legend Paul Scholes as the Premier League's best ever player, snubbing the likes of Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo. He reasoned:

"I would have to go Paul Scholes.

"I don't think people have given him the credit he deserves. (He's) one of the best, if not the best, I've played against, he could do anything. Unfortunately for him, when he was playing for the national team, for England, sometimes people didn't see it like that.

"If I had a Paul Scholes in my team, everything would be around him. At Manchester United, they saw it like that, but I think Paul Scholes is one of the best I've played against in this league, and seen anywhere."

In terms of legacy in the Premier League, Scholes is one of the most decorated players English football has seen. You would need more than two hands to count the number of English top-division titles he lifted, and that's a remarkable feat given the same can only be said for one other player.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Only Ryan Giggs (13) has won more Premier League titles than Paul Scholes.

Regarded among the Premier League's greatest midfielders, Scholes' talent goes without question either. He may not have an ostentatious goal catalog, or a remarkable level of attacking output, like many who are nudged forward in this sort of discussion. But he is often credited as the underlying creative engine behind one of the most lethal attacking forces the league has seen, and that's no mean feat.

It wouldn't have been easy to stand out in his environment

Barcelona icon Xavi also once waxed lyrical about Scholes in an interview in 2011, insisting he would have been valued far more if circumstances in history were different.

"In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen, the most complete, is Scholes.

"He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn't give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more."

The Spaniard made sure not to misjudge Scholes' quality, but perhaps many in history did, given the sort of player he was and the environment he played in.

An array of world-class talent was constantly shifting in and out of the Manchester United squad during his tenure at Old Trafford. Of course, Scholes was always there, but the headlines were stolen by stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and the like.

For country, Scholes was pitted against two of England's best ever midfielders in Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. He was the one who made the sacrifice, shifting to left midfield to accommodate his peers instead of playing in his preferred position in the middle.

Ultimately, while he may not have commanded the spotlight, his talent has not gone unnoticed by the legends of the game. The fact that Henry and Xavi are among those who regard him so highly speaks volumes about the true quality he brought to the pitch.