Sky Sports has announced a new addition to its team of football pundits for the upcoming Premier League season. The surprise name is none other than former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who will join the likes of Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane and Micah Richards on the Sky Sports platform.
Ferdinand’s credentials as a pundit
Ferdinand is no stranger to football analysis, having worked as a pundit for BT Sport since 2014. He has also been involved in various media projects, such as his documentary Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad, which won a BAFTA award in 2018. He has also launched his own podcast and YouTube channel, where he interviews celebrities and footballers.
Ferdinand is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs of his generation, having won six Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy and 81 caps for England. He played for West Ham, Leeds and Manchester United in his club career, before retiring in 2015 after a brief spell at QPR.
Ferdinand is known for his outspoken and honest opinions, as well as his banter and humour. He has often clashed with his former rivals Neville and Carragher on social media and on air, but also shares a good rapport with them. He has also praised the insights and personalities of Keane and Richards, who have become popular among the fans for their witty and candid comments.
What Ferdinand will bring to Sky Sports
Sky Sports has confirmed that Ferdinand will be part of its coverage of the Premier League, Champions League, EFL and Carabao Cup. He will also feature on its flagship shows such as Monday Night Football, Super Sunday and The Debate.
Ferdinand will bring his vast experience and knowledge of the game, as well as his charisma and charm, to Sky Sports. He will offer a fresh perspective and a different voice to the existing panel of pundits, who have been praised for their analysis and chemistry.
Ferdinand will also add some spice and entertainment to the discussions, as he is not afraid to challenge or disagree with his colleagues or guests. He will also engage with the viewers and interact with them on social media platforms.
Ferdinand has already received a warm welcome from his new co-workers, who have expressed their excitement and admiration for him. Neville tweeted that he was “delighted” to have Ferdinand on board, while Carragher said he was “looking forward” to working with him. Keane joked that he was “glad” that Ferdinand had finally left BT Sport, while Richards said he was “buzzing” to have him as a teammate.
How the fans have reacted to Ferdinand’s move
The fans have also reacted positively to Ferdinand’s move to Sky Sports, with many of them saying that he is already better than some of the regular pundits. They have praised his footballing intelligence, his communication skills and his personality.
Some fans have said that Ferdinand will make Sky Sports more enjoyable and entertaining to watch, while others have said that he will add more quality and diversity to the analysis. Some fans have also suggested that Ferdinand could form a great partnership with Keane or Richards, or even host his own show.
However, some fans have also expressed their disappointment that Ferdinand has left BT Sport, where he had established himself as a respected and influential pundit. They have said that they will miss his insights and interactions with other BT Sport pundits such as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Peter Crouch.
