Pavel Nedvěd vs Paul Ince: Stats Compared
Midfielder, Czech Republic (born 1972, retired 2009) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2006)
There is something timeless about weighing Pavel Nedvěd against Paul Ince. Beyond the numbers, each man brought a singular aesthetic to the pitch. Pavel Nedvěd finishes with 156 career goals from 711 games — a 0.22 strike rate — against Paul Ince's 90 from 650 at 0.14 per match. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Pavel Nedvěd is listed at 0 and Paul Ince at 60 where figures survive. Pavel Nedvěd departs the game with 9 major pieces of silverware, including 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1999); Paul Ince with 4, including 2× Premier League (1993, 1994). Pavel Nedvěd played with a dictatorial that made him unmistakable; Paul Ince brought a silky that was equally his own. Their routes to the top were distinct: Pavel Nedvěd built his reputation across Dukla Prague, Sparta Prague, Lazio, Juventus, peaking around 2003, while Paul Ince reached his defining level around 1994 after spells with West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swindon Town. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
188 words · comparison angle: style
Player profiles
Czech midfielder and 2003 Ballon d'Or winner; Serie A champion with Lazio and Juventus.
“A tireless attacking midfielder with explosive shooting from distance and endless running.”
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 Cup Winners' Cup (1999)
- 1× UEFA Super Cup (1999)
- 3× Serie A (2000, 2002, 2003)
- 2× Coppa Italia (1998, 2000)
- 2× Supercoppa Italiana (2002, 2003)
- 2× Premier League (1993, 1994)
- 2× FA Cup (1990, 1994)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1991 Dukla Prague debut
- 1996 Joined Lazio
- 1999 Won the Cup Winners' Cup with Lazio
- 2001 Joined Juventus as Zidane's replacement
- 2003 Ballon d'Or winner, reached the Champions League final
- 2005 Stayed at Juventus in Serie B after Calciopoli
- 2009 Retired at Juventus
- 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 Pavel Nedvěd edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Pavel Nedvěd edges it (a decisive margin)
