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Chris Waddle
Chris Waddle Interview
Andy Greeves
Never short of an opinion or two during his playing days, Chris Waddle has found the perfect outlet for his views on the beautiful game. The former Newcastle, Tottenham, Marseille and Sheffield Wednesday man has been working as a co-commentator for broadcaster ESPN on their Premier League coverage. A role he admits suits him down to the ground.
"I've been co-commentating alongside Jon Champion covering twenty Premier League games this season and I've loved it," he smiles. "There's already talk of me increasing my commitments with them next season. I've really enjoyed my time with the organisation, they are very well run and a lot of old colleagues from Setanta work there. Jon has been a delight to work alongside, his commentating style makes it very easy for me."
Waddle is currently in talks with a number of organisations with regards to possible co-commentary opportunities at the 2010 World Cup. The Geordie says he "should be in South Africa one way or the other" and will be "110% behind England". He has not minced his words in the run-up the competition regarding his home countries selection options. Theo Walcott was singled out for criticism by Waddle a number of months ago as being a player "without a football brain" and who "doesn't understand the game."
Soccerphile spoke to the former England winger, who won 62 caps for England and scored six goals and asked him about the Three Lions' midfield options this summer.
Firstly, what reaction does Chris have to David Beckham's recent injury, which will see him miss out on the opportunity of appearing for England at a record fourth World Cup?
"I am disappointed for David as you don't want to see a fellow professional get injured," he says. "Whether or not he would have been selected is by the by - he would have wanted to opportunity to put himself in Capello's thoughts over the next few months for sure. He's a great professional, a superb influence on the others and can deliver an inch perfect cross and is excellent on set pieces. I think Capello would have taken him to South Africa, even if it was for a limited playing role."
Waddle believes Beckham's loss will not affect England's chances at the World Cup, especially as "they are already well covered in wide areas." So which wide men would the former England winner take to South Africa?
"Aaron Lennon would be my first choice on the right hand side for England," says Waddle. "He's had a great season for Spurs and has matured a lot over the past few years. He's learned to combine the speed and ability to beat a man, which he's always had with great end product now. He's putting superb crosses in consistently now and can make things happen for England. He can also weigh in with a few goals too."
Waddle is less sure about the left-sided position, which he believes should be contested between Ashley Young, Stuart Downing, Joe Cole or young Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.
"I'd like to see Adam Johnson considered for inclusion for the next upcoming friendlies," he says. "Johnson's versatility is something that could stand England in good stead, especially if injury problems continue. He can play left or right and I remember seeing him as a teenager for Middlesbrough and thinking what an excellent prospect he was. His form this season has been excellent."
Aside from the obvious selections of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, Waddle also stakes a claim for the inclusion of two other England midfielders.
"Shaun Wright Phillips has also had a good season," he says. "He's a similar type of player to Lennon in that he also has the pace and trickery to set a game alight. I'd chose Lennon over Shaun Wright Phillips for the starting eleven, as I think the Spurs man performs more consistently and has learned to cross the ball better over the years. Wright Phillips should definitely be on the plane though."
"James Milner will make South Africa too in my opinion as he can play across the midfield. He started off as a winger, but is now doing the business for Aston Villa as a central player. He's really come into his own this campaign and has established himself as one of the Premier League's best midfielders."
The big question is has Waddle's views on Arsenal youngster Theo Walcott altered at all over the past months? Probably not it's fair to say.
"My thoughts on Theo Walcott are well-known and I stand by my comments that while the kid has raw pace, he still has a lot to learn as far as positioning and linking the play go. Injuries have also hampered his career. I can be open minded enough to say give him enough games from now to the end of the season to see how he does."
Since England last won the World Cup in 1966, no Three Lions side has come closer to winning the competition again than Sir Bobby Robson's class of 1990 which Chris Waddle was a part of. The Newcastle-born former player has been scathing about performances by England at more recent World Cup's, especially Germany 2006, where he said of Sven Goran Eriksson's men:
"Every time we play a team with a bit of craft and skill we can't deal with it... We have got to face reality that we are a team nowhere near the top seven countries in the world."
Like the rest of the country, Waddle will be desperately hoping he will not have to find such words of criticism for Fabio Capello's England in South Africa this summer.
© Andy Greeves & Soccerphile.com
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