Carragher insists he would not quit Sky Sports for huge Saudi punditry deal
Jamie Carragher is adamant he would not turn his back on Sky Sports for a huge payday in Saudi Arabia despite fearing the Gulf nation could soon become the leading power in world football.
The former Liverpool defender has become part of the furniture on Sky's leading coverage of Premier League matches in recent years and is a regular pundit and co-commentator on Super Sunday and Monday Night Football alongside Gary Neville, while also contributing to CBS' Champions League show.
Yet while a growing number of top-flight stars are opting to cash in on the lucrative riches on offer in Saudi, Carragher is certain he won't be joining them. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is the latest player set to make the switch to the Middle East after agreeing a deal worth £700,000 per week with Al Ettifaq, who are managed by Carragher's former team-mate and close friend Steven Gerrard.
Henderson has faced heavy criticism for his move, largely due to his status as an ally among the LGBTQ+ community. Carragher has been asked his thoughts on their decisions, and delivered an unwavering response in his latest column in The Telegraph.
He said: "As I consider the pros and cons of their career choice I am prepared to say this: if I was offered four times my salary to leave Sky Sports and CBS in order to cover the Saudi Pro League, my answer would be no."
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He explained how his enjoyment in analysing the top European competitions would be the reason behind his decision, adding: "I could never be as enthusiastic when commentating on a league with so many players past their best, and with no history or tradition.
Jordan Henderson is set to join Al Ettifaq (Getty Images)What are your thoughts on the Saudi revolution? Have your say in the comments below.
"That is a pure footballing consideration. Naturally and understandably, the focus for many other critics is based around the human rights issues in Saudi Arabia."
Carragher said he understood the criticism being levied at Henderson and feels it is "justified", with the England international now facing "difficult questions to answer". Among his concerns is how Henderson's transfer and the subsequent backlash could affect other players from speaking out on LGBTQ+ issues in case they later want to play in Saudi Arabia.
Despite luring the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Carragher feels the Saudi Pro League is still lacking a "game-changing" transfer such as Kylian Mbappe, with many of the players defecting already in the twilights of their careers.
Steven Gerrard (R) has been appointed as Al Ettifaq's new manager (Al Ettifaq Football Club/AFP via)"I understand why someone whose best is behind them wants to make a few quid, play under less pressure and enjoy a bit of sun on their back," he added, though described the desire of Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, 28, to leave the Premier League for Saudi as "sad".
"If that keeps happening across Europe, the clubs will have a serious problem," he concluded, and suggested the Saudi movement "feels like the start of something much bigger" and won't be going away quickly or quietly.
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