Keown makes Moore than a fool of himself
By Allen Cummings
I have nothing against Harry Maguire. He’s clearly a solid and efficient defender. He’s been a vital component of Gareth Southgate’s England defence. But does he really justify comparison with England’s finest ever defender – our very own Bobby Moore?
Martin Keown, one of the BBC’s many so-called football ‘experts’ in Russia, had the nerve to suggest just that the other day. It’s a completely ridiculous suggestion without any value at all and here’s why!
Keown was born in 1966, and was just seven days old when Bobby lifted the World Cup for the nation at Wembley. He must have been some baby if he recalls any of that very special day. It’s unlikely he would ever have seen the great man play live during his formative growing-up years.
So is he really in any position to pass such a judgement? Based solely on second hand knowledge and probably the odd film clip? Not in my book!
His ludicrous comment drew a sharp response on social media from two of the game’s finest footballers. Which Keown certainly wasn’t. Matt Le Tissier and Rodney Marsh were as outraged as me and most other sane football watchers.
Le Tiss tweeted: “Did Martin Keown just compare Maguire to Bobby Moore!!!!!!” To which Marsh responded: “They both have a Y in their first name….” And that’s about the measure of it in my eyes!
The pair, both connoisseurs of quality in their time, were clearly unimpressed with their former fellow professional and not without reason. Keown’s assessment of Maguire is based on a total of three and a half games so far in the current World Cup campaign. Games where he has hardly faced opposition of any real consequence. Certainly nothing to compare with the likes of Pele, Rivelino, Jairzinho, Gilmar, Zito, Seeler, Muller, Maradona, Rivera, Mazzola, Cruyff, Eusebio – I could go on and on.
All world class footballers of the highest order that Moore encountered and frequently mastered over an impeccable 11 year international career. He gained 108 England caps, 90 of which saw him wearing the captain’s armband. Of course there is also the little matter of him actually winning the World Cup and lifting the Jules Rimet trophy. Not just reaching the semi-finals.
Keown’s endorsement of Maguire is frankly laughable in the face of the numerous tributes paid to Moore. The legendary Pele described our Bob as “an honourable gentleman and the greatest defender I have ever played against.”
That tribute came after what many who actually saw it described as Bobby’s finest ever performance in an England shirt, the memorable Brazil v England World Cup encounter at the Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1970.
Franz Beckenbauer went even further describing Mooro as “the best defender in the history of the game”. The great Celtic manager Jock Stein once joked: “There should be a law against him. He knows what’s happening 20 minutes before everyone else”.
At 6’ 4” Maguire obviously enjoys a commanding aerial presence. But does he possess Moore’s incredible ability to read the game? His pin-point passing ability with either foot? His faultless tackling? His coolness under pressure? His inspirational leadership? His sportsmanship? The list of his talents is endless.
The pressure in Russia has clearly affected Keown. Among his other bizarre utterances at the tournament was actually calling for England supporters back home to celebrate the victory over Sweden by turning on their garden sprinklers.
Whilst during another strange observation he criticised the fact that some people back home might be choosing to read a book during England games. Suggesting “they need to get a life”.
I have a suggestion for Mr Keown. Try reading one or two books yourself Martin. I’d recommend: Bobby Moore – The Life and Times of a Sporting Hero by Jeff Powell. Followed by: Bobby Moore – The Man in Full by Matt Dickinson.
Two respected football experts in their own right who DO know what they’re talking about! The BBC ‘expert’ might well learn something!