This is peak Paul Merson.
The Sky Sports pundit was even more animated than usual when discussing John Stones and Roberto Martinez on Soccer Saturday yesterday.
Everton defender Stones has been criticised recently for his tendency, according to some, to overplay and not clear his lines.
Rio Ferdinand has defended the talented 21 year old, urging fans to be patient with Stones while he makes mistakes, as he has the potential to become a brilliant defender for club and country.
Rio even rang up a BBC phone-in show to defend the Everton youngster.
However, Paul Merson doesn’t share Ferdinand’s view.
When asked by Jeff Stelling if “we” want John Stones to change his game, Merse replied: “Yeah, ‘course you do.”
“I want to see a centre-half who can defend first of all, and then we can play from there.”
Merse goes on to say Stones’ positioning is “bordering on atrocious,” and said he should take heed from the great defenders of the past, such as Tony Adams and Paul McGrath, by kicking the ball into row z when under pressure.
Merse reserved even stronger criticism for his manager Martinez. He references the film Men in Black, asks why Everton aren’t above first place Leicester City in the Premier League table and wonders how he got sacked by Walsall in 2006.
Never change, Merse.
