Richards snubs both Keane and Neville as he names 'number one best pundit'

13 March 2024 , 08:01

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Micah Richards works alongside a host of impressive pundits

Micah Richards has risked upsetting some of his colleagues by naming Jamie Carragher as the "number one pundit in England".

The ex-Manchester City star works for a host of broadcasters having transitioned from a player to a pundit in 2019. Richards is a regular contributor with the BBC, Sky Sports and CBS Sports. As a result he's worked with some of the biggest names in the game.

Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Alan Shearer are among those he's shared a studio with but Richards has named Carragher, whom he works with at Sky and CBS, as the pick of the bunch. The ex-Liverpool star has honed his craft over a number of years and Richards has hailed his work, especially on CBS.

He told the Athletic : "I think we’re comfortable in our own skin. Take Thierry Henry. He’s a legend of the game and he loves football. You got Carragher, the No. 1 pundit in England. But he has to sort of be a different Jamie on our show to make the show work. We all know our roles within the show to make it the best it can possibly be. We can’t have egos within the show."

Carragher's double act on Sky with Neville has become a major draw for fans with the pair bouncing off each other impressively. The ex-Liverpool star's insight has also drawn particular praise with his tactical breakdowns showing great detail.

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He previously told Sky : "I'll put myself in the manager's shoes and ask: 'what would I do if I were Mikel Arteta coming to Anfield?' for example. You have these little thoughts in your head and then you let those unfold, whether that be from the studio or if I'm on co-commentary. I've got a great vantage point on the gantry to see how both teams set up, and give my opinion from there as the game goes."

The likes of Sky and the BBC have had a host of stellar pundits over the years. Mark Lawrenson, Alan Hansen and Andy Gray are among those to pioneer the art of punditry, but Carragher has said in the past he's determined to forge his own path.

Jamie Carragher has been singled out as the best Richards has worked alongside

"You've got to have your own style, though," he said. You can't copy people; you have to be yourself. I’m sure there will be better people in the future than me or who will take punditry onto another level again. I do think the modern pundit has taken the game on, that's not a criticism of what’s come before, it's natural in most things in life, things improve and go forward.

"Our generation have dissected games in a certain but in 10, 15 years' time I'm sure the lads who are playing now will do the same."

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Samuel Meade