Latest news with #PaulMerson
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Paul Merson sends Benjamin Sesko warning to Man United and reveals who could be the 'gamechanger' in the Premier League title race
'I have been on holiday and back. I love my job, it is the 20th year this year, that shows how much I love it. You can't beat the Premier League I'm afraid.' Those are the words of Paul Merson, Sky Sports pundit and the former Arsenal star who is gearing up for another year covering the top flight for one of the biggest broadcasters in the game. We talk about Benjamin Sesko. Viktor Gyokeres. Just two of the big names who have joined the Premier League for mega-money this summer and whose sides are banking on to help solve their goalscoring - and, ultimately, footballing - issues. But, first, it's important to acknowledge that we are at Wembley for the Grassroots Football Awards, an event that gives well-deserved recognition to those who help the game thrive and grow at the bottom level - mainly for children looking to get into the game, stay active, or simply have a bit of fun. 'It all started as grassroots,' Merson says of his own career, which saw him feature more than 400 times for Arsenal and 21 times for England. 'I played for Belmont and Forest United when I was a kid and grassroots was always a big part of my early childhood. That's where I learned how to play football. 'I only came out of it about three years ago. I was manager of my boys' team. For the kids, there is no better felling on a Saturday or Sunday mooring than playing grassroots football. It is great to be here today because it has been a big part of my life.' Grassroots can often be the start of the journey for footballers - Merson is case in point. It can lead to a journey to the very top. At the top, meanwhile, strikers are the talk of the town this summer. Will Alexander Isak end up at Liverpool? Can Viktor Gyokres help finally deliver Arsenal's first Premier League title in more than two decades? Is Benjamin Sesko the answer to Manchester United's problems? A lot of those questions we will not be able to answer for a while yet. But we can guess how they will get on - and pretty well is Merson's verdict. 'I think he could be the gamechanger,' Merson says of Gyokeres. 'He has to hit 20-25 goals - if he does that and stays fit then Arsenal have every chance of winning the Premier League. 'It was good he scored in the friendly. I have seen some great players go games not scoring but it was nice to see him get off the mark, but he will get the service, he has top quality players behind him who will provide him. He just has to put the ball in the back of the net. 'In terms of Sesko, you are only as good as the service you are getting as a centre forward. In midfield I still think they aren't strong enough but it will be different. 'I think he is another peg up from [Rasmus] Hojlund so it all depends on his service. There are a lot of players there now... [Matheus] Cunha, [Bryan] Mbeumo. They are going to have to score goal too, but he has to score goals too.' We forget about the stars for today, though. This event is about acknowledging those who have given up their time and energy to make sure football is ticking at the bottom level. 'These must be very special people,' Merson adds, smiling. 'From who puts the teas on... they may have been working all night and take their kids to the football. People putting the nets up, getting the game on, fixtures, booking the referee, paying the referee, being the referee, it is endless. 'Kids are the lucky ones, so it is brilliant to be at the awards - there are a lot of unsung heroes.'
The Sun
11-08-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Meet Jude Geoghegan, inspirational coach with spine defect who realised Wembley dream at Community Shield
JUDE GEOGHEGAN celebrated the proudest moment of his young career at with a Wembley award this weekend. The 20-year-old was born with a spine condition which means he has to use crutches in everyday life. 3 3 But the determined youngster didn't let that stand in the way of his football dreams. Jude started an inclusion team at his side Estudiantes in north London, creating opportunities for players with all different levels of disability. And Geoghegan won Coach of the Year Disability Pathway at the Grassroots Football Awards this weekend. He was presented with his prize by Paul Merson and FA chief Mark Bullingham before the Community Shield on Sunday. The 20-year-old spoke to SunSport before Liverpool's clash with Crystal Palace. He said: "Being here is something I've dreamed of - it means a lot to me, and my family and friends as well. "Since I started coaching 11 months ago, it's been something that I've really wanted to get to and I feel like I've accomplished that." 3 Geoghegan has Spina Bifida - a neural tube defect. According to the NHS website, it is when a baby's spine and spinal cord do not develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine. Geoghegan said: "It affects my walking because I use crutches. "But I've overcome that because I've started to realise that there's a lot of inclusive pathways in sport. "I got into football when I was five or six years old. "I always used to play outside my back garden but never used to really get into a team. "In 2021, I became part of the Estudiantes London. "They really made me feel included and that's when we started our inclusion programme. "I started coaching because I wanted to make football more inclusive at the club I was at. "I found it a bit nerve-wracking at first, but in the last six or seven months I've gained more confidence." Geoghegan is a Tottenham supporter, but has taken his programme to Premier League grounds for training sessions. He still has big ambitions for coaching despite already overcoming the odds. "We've been to Chelsea and Fulham," he said. "And month we go to Watford as well. "I want to start coaching and opening doors within Premier League clubs and try and improve the inclusion programme. "The team have got a lot more confident in their playing, they're much more talkative. "I feel it gives them a lot of confidence to do what I do, whether it's playing or coaching, because you never know where you could end up."
Scotsman
06-08-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Matthew's 5st 2.5lb weight loss journey wows football legend Paul Merson
A Milngavie man has turned his life around after losing an incredible 5st 2.5lbs and earning a place in the semi-finals of a national Slimming World competition. Along the way, he even got a personal congratulations from footballing legend Paul Merson. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Matthew Baird, 34, was chosen out of thousands of men who attend Slimming World groups across the UK and Ireland to attend the semi-finals of Slimming World's 2025 Man of the Year competition. He was joined by 41 other inspiring men at the organisation's head office in Derbyshire – and says the whole experience was 'unforgettable.' Matthew, who slimmed from 19st 4.5lbs to 14st 2lbs, says: 'I'd been unhappy with my weight for a while but didn't really know what to do about it. I found my local Slimming World group after my doctor referred me to them through the NHS Weight Management Service. I didn't know what to expect, but I was welcomed with open arms and no judgment, just support. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "I soon realised I wasn't alone. Everyone there understood exactly how I felt, and the group quickly became my weekly reset. Together we talk and plan for the week ahead and how to navigate situations that may send us off track, and that's been key to keeping me motivated. Even on weeks I've not felt like it, the group has been there to get me going again. Matthew slimmed from 19st 4.5lbs to 14st 2lbs, earning a place in the semi-finals of a national Slimming World competition. "I love that I can still eat all my favourite meals like chicken katsu curry, prawn and mango stir fry and beef stroganoff too, and I don't feel like I'm restricting myself.' Thanks to Slimming World's Food Optimising plan, Matthew found the weight steadily came off. He began to feel more energetic and when his Consultant started to talk about Slimming World's physical activity support programme, Matthew liked the sound of that too. He says: 'My Consultant Kellie talked about all the benefits of moving more and despite never thinking I'd enjoy exercise, I decided to give it a go. I started swimming and gradually built it up to where I can now swim 40 lengths and love going three times a week. Now I also do weight training and have just started a couch to 5K programme. I've learnt that keeping the weight off long-term isn't just about what you eat, it's about being active too and now I really look forward to getting out and moving my body.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Now 5st 2.5lbs lighter, Matthew says he was over the moon to be invited to the Slimming World Man of the Year 2025 semi-finals. He says: 'My group gave me the confidence to know I could reach my target, they helped me to start to believe in myself and my ability to lose weight right from my very first group, and being here today 5st lighter is unreal. Matthew Baird, 34, lost an incredible 5st 2.5lbs with Slimming World. "On top of that, being at the semi-finals of the Man of the Year competition, surrounded by people who've changed their lives like I have and then meeting Paul Merson has been unforgettable. We had a chat about my journey and the changes I had made, and he was so down-to-earth.' Former England and Arsenal star Paul Merson, who's spoken openly in the media about his own health struggles, said he was blown away by Matthew's achievement: 'What Matthew's done is nothing short of incredible. Losing that amount of weight takes real commitment. But what impressed me even more is how happy and confident he is now. He's clearly made changes he can stick to for life – and that's what it's all about.' Matthew's Slimming World Consultant, Kellie Eadie, who runs the Milngavie group, says: 'We're all so proud of Matthew. He's proof that when you've got the right tools, the right food, and the right people around you, anything is possible. Slimming World isn't about going it alone; we support people no matter their starting point – including those taking weight-loss medication. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "We understand that starting any weight loss journey takes courage and there's no judgement for anybody taking weight loss injections. It's essential though that anyone losing weight creates healthy habits so that they can maintain their any weight loss in the long term though – and that's where Slimming World comes in. We support our members to build a healthy, balanced lifestyle around real food, activity and support – things that work in the long run.' Now, with a new lease of life and renewed energy Matthew says he's looking forward to the future. He says: 'I've got my life back. I've got energy, confidence, and a future I'm excited about. If there's someone reading this who feels like I used to, I'd just say, give it a go, it's been life-changing for me.' The Milngavie group, led by Kellie, meets every Wednesday at 5:30pm at Corbie Hall.
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Paul Merson gives brutal verdict on Noni Madueke's £52m move to Arsenal and raises fear over Bukayo Saka's future at the Emirates - claiming Chelsea 'won't believe their luck'
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has brutally claimed that Noni Madueke is the 'last' player the club should have signed from Chelsea. The former defender also believes the move raises concerns about Bukayo Saka 's future at the Emirates. Merson's scathing critique of Arsenal's latest signing adds to growing discontent over the £52million deal. The winger completed a move to north London on Friday, becoming Arsenal's fourth signing of the summer and the seventh Chelsea player to join the club under Mikel Arteta. Madueke, 23, will wear the number 20 shirt and is set to join up with his new teammates in early August, having been involved in Chelsea's victorious Club World Cup campaign. Following his arrival, Arteta said: 'We're all so happy to welcome Noni Madueke to the team. 'Noni is an exciting and powerful young player, with his performances and numbers in recent seasons being of consistently high quality. He is one of the most talented wide forward players in the Premier League,' But section of the Arsenal fan base have treated his move with scepticism, with more than 5,200 signing a #NoToMadueke petition against the transfer. Merson, who captained Arsenal but is a Chelsea supporter, has added to that doubt. 'I am flabbergasted by Arsenal signing Noni Madueke,' the 57-year-old wrote in his Sky Sports column. 'Chelsea just won't believe that this deal has come to them. They won't believe their luck.' He added: 'I'm shocked. If Arsenal went and bought any player from Chelsea, he'd have been the last one I thought they'd sign. Merson also claimed he would have played Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho over the 23-year-old at Chelsea. He is also fearful that his move signals an impending departure for key man Bukayo Saka. 'Are they getting this deal done and then all of a sudden it allows a potential sale of Saka or someone else,' Merson wrote. 'If fit, he plays. So why do you spend £52m on a backup for him?' Madueke, who made his England debut last year, is no stranger to critics. He even thanked Chelsea fans for their criticism in his emotional goodbye message to the club. He wrote: 'Dear Chelsea Football Club, I want to thank you for the last 3 or so years. To every staff member that helped me along this journey, thank you. To my teammates thank you for everything, I leave with only love and admiration for you guys. We achieved so much this season and I honestly wish you guys nothing but the best. 'To Enzo Maresca, it was a privilege to play under you, thank you for trying to better me as a player and as a person. Lastly, thank you to every single Chelsea fan. Thank you for the love, the praise and also the criticism, I appreciate it all. I leave here with nothing but fond memories. 'Love NM11.' Meanwhile, United legend Rio Ferdinand leapt to his defence last week, accusing 'vulgar' Arsenal fans of 'utterly disgraceful behaviour against Madueke by protesting his arrival at the club. 'Just put yourself in his shoes for one minute just put yourself in his parents shoes for one minute and just think of how that feeling must be,' he wrote. Madueke joined Chelsea from PSV in January 2023 and went on to play 92 games for the Blues, while he scored 20 goals and provided nine assists. He won the Conference League with Chelsea last season and also featured in their successful Club World Cup campaign although he wasn't involved in the final as he neared his move to Arsenal.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Eagle-eyed football fans spot social media gaffe from Paul Merson as Arsenal legend is left red-faced
Eagle eyed social media users have spotted a light-hearted social media gaffe from Arsenal legend Paul Merson. Merson is counted among the best-loved former players at the north London club, playing over 420 times for the Gunners in 12 years at Highbury, scoring 99 times in the process. He has since successfully transitioned into a job in the media, having featured on Sky Sports coverage in recent years, having officially hung up his boots in 2012 having seemingly retired in 2006. However, his recent social media activity saw some send light-hearted jibes his way, after seemingly forgetting to edit a message before posting it on X, formerly Twitter. 'Incredible day @slimmingworld meeting 41 amazing men who have lost a life-changing 330st 2lbs! Please also include #ad,' the former England international wrote. However, his slight error didn't escape notice with one fan spotting it and responding with a number of crying emojis. He claimed last season that Mikel Arteta may find himself under pressure by Christmas should Arsenal not be in the top two in the league Towards the end of last season, Merson made the perhaps bold claim that Mikel Arteta has 'until Christmas' to be in the top two before questions are asked about his future. He said: '[Arsenal] need a centre-forward and they need back up in big positions. At the moment when they make changes it weakens the team. At Arsenal the front three are not real natural goalscorers. 'There's a saying in life if you keep doing the same things you get the same results it's insanity. They keep on doing it again next year it's madness. 'The problem is, I'm trying to back them up but you've got to win something. It's not easy. Every time it gets to latter stages they go. They keep on falling short. It becomes normal. It becomes natural it's hard. 'I think Arteta has got until Christmas. They will have to be in the top two at Christmas to keep on going.' While Arsenal have now secured Champions League football for a third consecutive season, their only major trophy under Arteta is the 2020 FA Cup. The Gunners have been proactive in the transfer window so far, bringing in Martin Zubimendi for £65million, Kepa Arrizabalaga for £5m, and are thought to have completed a £12m deal for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard. The club have been circling Viktor Gyokeres as well to bring in a natural goal-scorer, though an agreement with Sporting is still yet to be made, despite reportedly agreeing terms with the player.
