You’ll definitely agree with absolutely every one of these.
We are now less than one week away from the World Cup.
For the players involved, this means that they will be doing something that we can only dream of – representing their country on the biggest stage of them all.
For us, it means we’ll be sat in front of the telly for a few weeks.
And because of that, we’re going to want to make the right decision with regards to who we watch.
BBC, ITV and RTÉ will be showing the World Cup in its entirety, so we are spoiled for choice.
But if you’re struggling to decide where the best place to watch the tournament is, we’ve compiled this list of every single pundit that will appear on your screens over the course of the World Cup, going from worst to best.
Don’t say we don’t do anything for you…
NOTE: Some of the pundits that are set to appear at the World Cup are making their punditry debut, so we will leave Hope Solo, Patrice Evra, Henrik Larsson, Didier Drogba, Paulo Zabaleta, Alex Scott and Eni Aluko.
22. Martin Keown – BBC
The bottom of our pundit league. He’s really bad. Every pundit loves a good personal anecdote, but you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d tuned into a live reading of his autobiography every time he’s analysing a game.
At least we have an excuse to show this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhDxZGqo6sE
Clip via ESPN FC
21. Danny Murphy – BBC
A close second, and also on BBC. Bad start for the lads across the pond, but it does get better. Murphy has some absolutely idiotic opinions, and brings very little to the table.
20. Slaven Bilic – ITV
This is a bit harsh on the former West Ham manager, but during his few appearances on Monday Night Football, the Croatian has been somewhat difficult to understand. We can assume that he is insightful and interesting, but the language barrier may prove to be a bit of an issue here.
19. Lee Dixon – ITV
Dixon’s alright, but he’s just a little bit boring. Nothing bad to say about him as a pundit, but nothing good either. Meh.
18. Richard Dunne – RTÉ
We love you big man, but we think your best talents lie elsewhere.
17. Michael O’Neil – RTÉ
Similar to Dixon, nothing spectacular, and knows his football, but just not exciting.
16. Phil Neville – BBC
Never as good as his brother as a footballer, and not as good a pundit as him either. Seems to be working on something every day, despite being the manager of the England women’s team. Ah well, we’ll probably get a laugh out of something he says.
15. Martin O’Neil – ITV
Our own country’s football manager. Quite soft-spoken and never really says anything groundbreaking, but capable of tearing into his co-workers when necessary. Watch him destroy Patrick Vieira and Cannavaro.
Clip via ElitewunENT
14. Liam Brady – RTÉ
He’s an Irish football legend, but his best punditry days are behind him.
13. Ryan Giggs – ITV
This is his first real tournament, so he’s getting some points for having the balls to take the piss out of Roy Keane live on air.
Clip via Conán Doherty
12. Alan Shearer – BBC
Great player. Fine pundit. He doesn’t shy away from a controversial opinion, and he absolutely loves England (so his meltdown after their inevitable crashing out of the tournament should be entertaining), but other than that. He’s only okay.
11. Shay Given – RTÉ
Sorry Shay. If this was a list of the soundest pundits we’d give you number one, but you’re still new to this punditry game. Maybe he’ll be the breakout star of the tournament.
10.Eamon Dunphy – RTÉ
He’s very lucky to be this high on the list. This is a man who has referred to both Ronaldo and Messi as “finished”, and said “fuck” twice on live television the last World Cup.
Clip via TVBankCentral
What he lacks in football knowledge he does make up for in entertainment, but it’s not just good enough.
9. Frank Lampard- BBC
A good pundit. Errs on the side of caution a little too much for our liking, but definitely decent. His take on England’s “golden generation” makes for some really fascinating viewing.
Clip via BT Sport
8. Roy Keane – ITV
Knows his stuff. Says some questionable things that seem as if he’s doing it purely for controversy, but we should get some moments of brilliance nonetheless. At least Jack Wilshere won’t be there…
Clip via fc barcelona1
7. Damien Duff – RTÉ
A newbie in the game, but expect him to be one of RTE’s MVPs. His rant about the Ireland team last week was absolutely spot on, and we look forward to seeing more from him.
6. Ian Wright – ITV
Definitely going to win best dressed pundit anyway. His flat cap and gold tooth combination looks class, and he has the conversational approach to punditry that suits his style perfectly. One of the best.
5. Keith Andrews – RTÉ
One of the few men on the list who’s punditry career will definitely outshine his footballing one (Hell, it already has). He’s come a long way, and offers insightful, clear points every time. He’s also not afraid to lose the head for a second…
Here’s his best moment from the Euros. Just listen to the anger in his voice..
Keith Andrews definitely had 50 quid on England last night… pic.twitter.com/ZVeHYSzvNX
— Rob Murphy (@roobmurph) June 12, 2016
4. Jermaine Jenas – BBC
Another very good pundit.
His best moment came in an extremely honest piece of television, where the former Spurs midfielder spoke about how he looked back on his career as a failure, but he performs on the small screen regularly.
Clip via BT Sport
3. Richie Sadlier – RTÉ
This man had to put up with a lot of a shite. From the constant “scored a goal in an under 11s third place play-off” jokes, to being the voice of reason between Dunphy and Brady’s arguments when they were at their peak, he certainly learned his trade the hard way.
But now he’s an accomplished writer, an insightful pundit, and just makes for very good television. Fair play to him.
2. Rio Ferdinand – BBC
The second best pundit that will be on your TV screen this World Cup. He’s funny, he’s a football expert, he seems to absolutely love being there and he’s just fun to watch.
His love of football is the main attraction. How could you not enjoy this?
But when he calms down from this madness, he’s just a brilliant football analyst. If you watch him, you’ll enjoy it, and you might even learn something.
Clip via SoccerGround
1. Gary Neville – ITV
The man revolutionised the way we watch football on television. The way he looks at football is different to any pundit we’ve ever seen, and he offers so much to the viewer every time.
He treats every game with the same seriousness, and the same intensity that it requires. He also isn’t afraid to have a bit of banter.
Clip via Sky Sports Football
