Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has called up two players to apologise after feeling he'd gone over the top with his criticism of them during his time working on Soccer Saturday
Paul Merson
Paul Merson gave Harry Maguire some harsh criticism(Image: YouTube/Overlap)
View 2 Images
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has revealed that overstepping the mark in his punditry left him picking up the phone to apologise to two players. The Sky Sports ace has asked Manchester United defenderHarry Maguire and Spurs playmaker James Maddison for forgiveness.
Speaking when United signed Maguire for £80million in 2019, Merson made no bones about his thoughts on the deal. "Maguire for £80m is ridiculous at the highest level," he told Soccer Saturday.
"You have to remember he ripped it up for England in a three. And when you play in a three at the back, you do that for one reason only - the defenders are not good enough and you do not trust them."
Merson went on to detail that he did not believe Maguire was capable of playing a high line when faced with the pace from the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sergio Aguero. While the veteran pundit stands by his assessment, he revealed that he soon realised he'd gone too far and an apology was in order.
"I didn't really, I don't know what it was but when I was playing back in the day, it didn't fuss me what they (pundits) said," Merson told the Stick to Football podcast. "I've had loads of people, agents, get in touch with me and say 'you shouldn't have said that'.
"I have rung up players before, I've rung up two players since I have been on that show to apologise. That was Harry Maguire when he signed for Man United, because I thought it was a bad signing for seventy-odd million.
"I didn't think he'd be able to play on the halfway line and I stick by that but I just felt like I carried on. And then I was going on and on and on and I came away from the show and I thought 'nah, you're out of order'.
"I rang up Brendan Rodgers and I said 'could you get me his number' and I rung him (Maguire) up and he was a bit surprised and I said 'you know, I am not disagreeing with the fee and if you are playing on the halfway line you might struggle.
Harry Maguire
Paul Merson criticised Manchester United for signing Harry Maguire(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
"Then last season I did Arsenal vs Tottenham at the new stadium. Tottenham were atrocious that day but (James) Maddison I picked out, afterward I thought 'why am I picking him out and not everyone else?'
"I just said he wasn't good enough, got to be doing more. I am one of those, he played in my position and when you are in a 10 you have got to affect a football match, even if it's just once in the whole game.
"He didn't do that, but at the end of the day he's still got to get the ball off the midfield. I rung him up and he said 'I haven't even seen it'."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us, and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice.
Content Image
Content Image