‘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.’
Paul Merson has sent Benjamin Sesko a warning following his move to Manchester United
Merson, speaking at the Grassroots Football Awards, also named who he thinks could be the ‘gamechanger’ in the title race
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.
Viktor Gyokeres has signed for Arsenal as the Gunners look to solve their striker issues
‘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.’
