Ruud Gullit vs Paul Ince: Stats Compared
Forward / Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1962, retired 1998) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2006)
There is something timeless about weighing Ruud Gullit against Paul Ince. Strikers are judged on goals, and on that raw currency both men delivered extraordinary returns. Across his senior career Ruud Gullit notched 230 goals in 600 appearances (0.38 per game), while Paul Ince recorded 90 in 650 (0.14 per game). Creativity tells a story too: 100 assists for Ruud Gullit against 60 for Paul Ince. Trophy counts give Ruud Gullit 7 and Paul Ince 4, with 1× UEFA European Championship (1988) and 2× Premier League (1993, 1994) the standout honours respectively. Where Ruud Gullit was a ruthless presence in the box, Paul Ince offered a incisive approach to goalscoring. Club journeys add another layer, with Ruud Gullit reaching his representative peak around 1988 across HFC Haarlem, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, Sampdoria, AC Milan, Chelsea and Paul Ince doing so around 1994 with West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swindon Town. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
169 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
The dreadlocked 1987 Ballon d'Or winner, Gullit captained the Netherlands to their only major title at Euro 1988 and formed part of AC Milan's all-conquering 'Dutch trio'.
“A powerful, technically brilliant all-rounder equally dangerous as a target man, playmaker, or even at centre-back.”
The first Black player to captain England, Ince was a combative, driving midfielder at the heart of Manchester United's early Premier League dominance.
“An aggressive, all-action midfielder whose tackling and late runs into the box made him a formidable box-to-box presence.”
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
- 1× UEFA European Championship (1988)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1989, 1990)
- 3× Serie A (1988, 1992, 1993)
- 1× FA Cup (1997)
- 2× Premier League (1993, 1994)
- 2× FA Cup (1990, 1994)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1979 Professional debut for HFC Haarlem
- 1988 Won UEFA European Championship with AC Milan
- 1997 Won FA Cup with Chelsea
- 1988 Reached the peak of his powers at AC Milan
- 1998 Retired after a final spell at Chelsea
- Finished his career with 230 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 230 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours.
- 1986 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1993 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 1990 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Swindon Town
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Ruud Gullit edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Ruud Gullit edges it (a clear margin)
