IDENTIFYING THE SEVEN best Premier League pundits over the course of the 2016-17 season was no easy task.
Firstly, we set a couple of stipulations. To simplify the list to a degree, we restricted it to people who comment on the Premier League on TV on a regular basis.
So, we’ve discounted pundits who are generally known for either working solely on Champions League coverage (sorry Roy Keane), or those who usually only comment on Premier League games on the radio (Eamon Dunphy, for instance).
So with those rules in mind, we undertook the unenviable task of identifying the cream of the crop. Two attributes were particularly crucial in putting together this list — credibility and entertainment value/the ability to think outside the box and not simply regurgitate conventional wisdom.
There would be endless candidates for this list were it just based on people whose views we agree with all the time, but what makes a pundit really worth listening to is an ability to be a bit more honest and risk upsetting people by speaking with both conviction and a degree of originality, while at the same time retaining a sense of authenticity.
Check out our choices below and let us know which pundits you have been impressed by in the comments section.
7. Jermaine Jenas
Jenas is still only 34, with injury problems cutting short his career in 2014. The former Newcastle and Tottenham footballer can consequently provide an invaluable insight into the modern footballer that some his older colleagues may not be able to relate to as much. Moreover, he is not afraid to challenge his fellow pundits and create debate — the difference of opinion with Alan Shearer above is a good example.
6. Chris Sutton
If you define a good pundit as someone you agree with all the time, then you are unlikely to agree with the choice of Chris Sutton on this list. However, if you value entertainment over conservative views, then the admittedly divisive former Blackburn and Celtic striker may be for you.
5. Danny Higginbotham
One of the most thoughtful and tactically literate pundits out there, Higginbotham may not have the name recognition of a Thierry Henry or a Jamie Carragher, but he is no less insightful despite a lack of big-game playing experience. Not too many pundits are comfortable engaging in the kind of technical, long-form analysis that he specialises in.
4. Rio Ferdinand
Certain pundits’ words undeniably carry greater weight than others on account of what they achieved during their football careers. Rio Ferdinand is one such example, and unlike some of his esteemed colleagues, the ex-Man United player is not afraid of saying something controversial or upsetting current stars, as in the example above, where he amusingly lays into Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard for their dressing room antics.
3. Jamie Carragher
Almost a combination of Roy Keane’s wit and Gary Neville’s sophistication, Carragher is comfortable looking at the analytical side of the game but is equally accomplished at delivering scathing put downs, such as his quip about Arsenal last month following their meek display at Crystal Palace: “What father would want his daughter to bring one of them home?” he memorably asked.
2. Graeme Souness
At 64, Souness is one of the oldest pundits out there — Alan Hansen, who retired back in 2014, is three years younger than his fellow Liverpool legend. Yet the former Newcastle manager’s views remain as sharp as ever, and he invariably outshines his younger colleagues with consistently provocative and uncompromising opinions.
1. Gary Neville
Neville’s confidence may have taken a blow following his well-documented failure in management with Valencia, but the Sky Sports analyst remains one of the most well-regarded pundits on British television. When the ex-Man United defender speaks, the football world usually listens, and Neville has great chemistry with Jamie Carragher in particular, making Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football must-watch TV particularly when the pair are on together.
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Neville has been shocking this season.
What…no Roy Keane?
@Sloop John G: was just thinking that myself sloop as he can’t fart but it’s reported here and his word is God now when discussing Utd according to the ABU’s
@Sloop John G: did either of yee read the article?
@El Johno: fair enough premier league good point
@Kurt Barlow: you think you be too preoccupied watching the mid table clash with United and Southampton then going off topic as per usual.
@El Johno: Sorry Johno, didn’t read the intro, only from the top 7 to the end of article. Having said that I think all pundits should have been included for consideration, BBC, ITV, SKY & BT Sports.
Can’t warm to Henry. Sourness loves the barney’s. Redknapp is ok. Alan Smith is like looking and listening to ichabod crane. Carragher is a lick arse. And Neville while i couldn’t like him for obvious reasons while playing is most definitly the best of the lot.
Regardless of how much Chris Sutton’s ignorant and idiotic views may entertain some people, I wouldn’t be putting him on any list. The likes of Dunphy can be bad but entertaing, Sutton is just bad.
@Brian: I do enjoy listening to him, especially on Scottish football. I find myself fascinated more by the way he speaks than by what he’s actually saying. So, I’ll have to take your word for it that he’s a bad pundit.
Micheal owen and henry are the best by far!
Keano should be there entertaining interesting and brutally honest … and I’m a Leeds fan
@Patrick Dara Kelly: that said it says premier league in the article
Jenas is improving. He can have his blinkers on when it comes to Spurs though. I can’t warm to Chris Sutton at all. Listened to his interview on Graham Hunter’s podcast ‘The Big Interview’ (generally very good podcast – highly recommended)… but Sutton was just a bore. He sounded like someone that should be working in the local Council as a pen-pusher (this was nearly his profession before football took off for him). Real wet blanket…
On the US Premier League coverage on NBC, I have to say, Lee Dixon and Graeme Le Saux are both very good.. Lee Dixon in particular…
That clip of Jenas is hilarious
Neville? After his pro-Jose meltdowns when it became apparent United were shite? … Yeah
Though he may be outside of the remit, James Richardson’s contributions on both radio (The Guardian’s Football weekly and BT sport) certainly deserves a mention as does our very own Barry Glendenning. They have the seemingly and relatively rare knack of talking over others whilst coming out with more enlightening observations.
Gary Neville is easily the best with Graham Souness next and then Danny Higginbotham. No interest in the others. I would let them go and this would include Henry.