Kick Off – talkSPORT

“He played against me, he saw what I could do.” When you look back on the great players from England’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’, you’d be forgiven for overlooking Emile Heskey. But he was the first name on Brazi legend Rivaldo’s lips when asked which of England’s players he would have chosen to play in his World Cup-winning side. Rivaldo played against Heskey twice for Liverpool and once for England in 2002, and he was clearly impressed with what he saw from the striker That will probably come as a surprise to many, but Rivaldo was a big fan of the former Leicester and Liverpool man and said the Selecao were in need of a player with his ability. Here’s what the Brazil and Barcelona great told Liverpool.com in 2002: “Heskey may be heavily criticised by some English fans but I don’t see it like that. I played against him a couple of times for Barcelona against Liverpool in the Champions League and realised what a quality player he is. It wasn’t long before I began thinking what weight of character and strength Heskey possessed. I told the other players [in Brazil] how dangerous he was. I admire the way he attacks the Premiership. So when you ask me which Englishman I think would be able to cope with playing in my team, Brazil, I say Heskey.” High praise indeed. Heskey’s trademark DJ celebration – The striker ended his career with 110 Premier League goals and 53 assists. Heskey got a tough time from fans during his Liverpool and England days, but Rivaldo clearly knew there more to the striker than just being used as a punchline in the pub. I experienced this first hand as a young Liverpool fan making the journey to Anfield. We played Southampton at home in December 2003, we were losing 2-0 and Heskey was getting dogs abuse all game from fans around me. He then pulled at goal back in the second-half. ‘He’s still a donkey’, a fan in front muttered. The game ended 2-1. The Leicester-born frontman spent 16 years in the Premier League and, while it’s true he was not one of the most talented players in the top flight in his day, he perhaps deserves  a bit more respect. Heskey joined talkSPORT on Thursday and was asked about being so highly-rated by the World Cup winner, and he appeared grateful for the recognition while others in England ridiculed him. Speaking to Kick Off, the 41-year-old said: “We played against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup and Rivaldo did a piece, who out of the England team would get in the Brazil side? “He picked me… I was fine with that! England were knocked out of the 2002 World Cup by Brazil 2-1 in the quarter-finals and the South Americans went on to win their fifth trophy “I knew I could [fit into that Brazil team well], but I was ridiculed for it.” Asked why he thought the Brazil great picked him over the Three Lions’ more glamorous players like David Beckham, Michael Owen, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand, Heskey added: “Because he played against me. “I think it was all-round play I bring to a team, and he’d seen that. “I played against him for Liverpool against Barcelona. We drew away and beat them at home, so he has seen everything I brought to a team.” Well, if it’s good enough for Rivaldo… Listen back to a clip of Emile Heskey on Kick Off above

John Barnes joined talkSPORT for a candid and honest interview about his views on racism, after he defended Manchester City’s Bernando Silva over his controversial Twitter post. The England and Liverpool legend spoke passionately about ‘changing the narrative’ and challenged the modern perceptions of racism in light of people’s outrage at Silva’s post. Silva has faced criticism for posting a picture of City team-mate and close friend Benjamin Mendy alongside the mascot for Spanish chocolate brand Conguitos, which many have claimed is racist. Silva is being investigated by the FA over this tweet he sent to Mendy Kick It Out have called for the Football Association to take action against the 25-year-old, saying: ‘Racist stereotypes are never acceptable as banter’. Silva deleted the Tweet on Sunday, later posting a message reading: ‘Can’t even joke with a friend these days… You guys …’ In response to the original post, Mendy – who also played alongside the Portuguese midfielder at Monaco – replied with a number of laughing and clapping emojis and the message: ‘1-0 for you will see’. Barnes has told talkSPORT he would be ‘disappointed’ if Silva is punished by the FA, with Pep Guardiola also urging the governing body not to take action against ‘one of the most lovely people I have met in my life’. LATEST FOOTBALL HEADLINES LATEST Premier League and EFL suspended, along with F1, cricket and rugby events scrapped All events cancelled due to coronavirus, including Premier League, EFL, Masters not feasible FA chief says Premier League season will not be completed due to coronavirus serious European football braced for 'total shutdown' to September due to coronavirus upbeat Gillingham play postponed game vs Fleetwood on FIFA - and destroy Joey Barton's men target Chelsea ready to poach Angel Gomes if he decides to leaves Man United update 'Feeling better already' - Arteta breaks silence after contracting coronavirus no choice Klopp's classy message to Liverpool fans as title bid gets halted by coronavirus Silva’s post has sparked a heated debate about racism. And Barnes joined talkSPORT’s Kick Off on Thursday to challenge people’s views of what they consider racist, insisting that he doesn’t find the post offensive and others shouldn’t either. Explaining his views to Hugh Woozencroft and Darren Lewis, the 79-cap England hero said: “Why are they offended by that picture? “I know the ramifications historically, I know about the cartoon, I know everything that goes on and about how black people are disenfranchised… the point I’m trying to make is we have to change the narrative. “I should be able to look at a carton of a jet black man with big lips and not feel that is negative. Why do we feel that’s negative? Because historically that has been the narrative, but we have to change the narrative. Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy are close friends off the pitch, having also played together at Monaco before joining Manchester City “There are lots of black men who look that way, so we have to change the narrative of that being negative. We have to start saying, there’s nothing wrong about showing a cartoon, depending on the context of which you’re actually using it, of a black man with big lips, of which there are millions and there’s nothing wrong with that. “I more than anybody else would tell you about the ills of racism and I’ll call out anybody about being racist, so I’m not defending any kind of racism. I’m talking specifically about this incident.” Later in the interview Barnes also clarified his comments about Liam Neeson ‘deserving a medal’ after the Star Wars actor admitted his shame over his past racial prejudices during a press tour earlier this year. Listen to the full interview with John Barnes on talkSPORT above

Simon Jordan has blasted Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward for his ‘lazy’ decision to hand David de Gea a new £117million contract. The straight-talking talkSPORT pundit says the goalkeeper is ‘in decline’ and has slammed the Premier League giants, saying: ‘Where else do you get a reward for going backwards?’ It is understood Spanish goalkeeper De Gea is set to sign a new six-year deal at Old Trafford worth an estimated £375,000-a-week. David de Gea is set to sign a new long-term contract at Manchester United worth an estimated £117million The new terms would remove any doubt over the player’s future at United, having been consistently linked with a move away from the club over the last few years. But his bumper contract also comes after his worst season in a Manchester United shirt. De Gea has not been the same player ever since last summer’s World Cup, where Spain were dumped out by Russia in the first knock-out stage. The 28-year-old left the tournament with the worst statistics of any goalkeeper for 52 years – of the seven shots on Spain’s goal, six of them ended up in the net and he failed to stop any of Russia’s penalties as they won their last-16 meeting in a shoot-out. David de Gea was slammed for his form at the World Cup That form continued with his club side as he conceded 54 goals for United net last season – De Gea’s worst ever season of his career. And former Crystal Palace owner Jordan can’t understand the logic behind why he is now being made one of the highest-paid players in English football. “This is a lack of football savvy, this is laziness,” he said on Monday evening’s Kick Off on talkSPORT. “If you look at De Gea’s performances, he’s in decline. “He made only saved 69 per cent of the shots he faced last season, which puts him in the bottom-half of the Premier League goalkeepers. “He’s in an average team, sure, but there are averages teams that have goalkeepers who are performing at a better level. LATEST TRANSFER NEWS AND RUMOURS TIME'S UP Arsenal told to 'get rid' of Mesut Ozil in January whatever the cost el to pay Arsenal outcast set for £13m AC Milan transfer after failing to impress Emery Rivals Former Spurs captain jokes Arsenal target is joining wrong north London side go get him Man United told to get McGinn: 'He would get the Old Trafford crowd going' gossip Man United must pay £10m for Mandzukic, Spurs to re-sign goalkeeper, Eriksen latest ivan the great Man United 'begin talks' with Barcelona over January move for midfield ace gunner get him Arsenal want to sign teenage nephew of former Tottenham captain RED FACED Mourinho 'never wanted' £52m flop but still signed him for ridiculous reason “I think this is Manchester United, this is Ed Woodward saying: ‘I don’t need a goalkeeper problem, i can’t be bothered with that. We’ve got problems with Pogba, problems with Lukaku, I’ve got a manager I think might be fit for purpose but I’m taking a fly on him…’ “I think Woodward is being lazy and would rather say, ‘I’ll do something with other people’s money’. “I’m not saying De Gea is in full decline, but what I am saying, when you look at the statistics, is where else do you get a reward for going backwards?” Listen back to a clip of Simon Jordan on Kick Off above

Arsenal have been urged to ‘do football and the Premier League a favour’ and take legal action against Laurent Koscielny after he asked the Gunners to cancel his contract. West Ham legend Alvin Martin believes Arsenal should make an example of the Frenchman, who has refused to go on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States. Koscielny is likely to be stripped of the captaincy after he told club chiefs he wanted to leave and return to his homeland for free this summer, despite having a year remaining on his current deal. Koscielny has been a faithful servant to Arsenal but has now angered fans by trying to force a move back to France The centre-back was reportedly offered a new two-year contract by the Gunners, but for only half of his current £90,000-a-week salary. He has received a better two-year offer from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, but that only stands if they can get him on a free transfer, whereas Arsenal want £9million if he leaves this summer. Latest reports claim Koscielny is seeking legal advice over his situation in north London, but Martin believes Arsenal should be tougher on him and throw the book back at the defender. “I’m absolutely 100 per cent behind the club,” said the former defender on talkSPORT’s Kick Off. “Arsenal have made a lot of poor signings but Koscielny has been one of the hits, for me, and he’s still their best centre-half. MOST-VIEWED FOOTBALL HEADLINES A WIN AT LAST Beth Mead profits from error to put end to England's dismal run ON THE MEND 'I’ve had to learn to walk again' - Loftus-Cheek on his battle for fitness HITTING BACK Newcastle respond to Jeremy Corbyn's 'bad owners like Mike Ashley' comments YOU'RE IN Dean Henderson called up to England squad as goalkeeper withdraws through injury GOING? Reading reportedly poised to announce Jose Gomes sacking and are lining up successor tune in Sunderland vs Grimsby commentary and teams as Black Cats begin life after Jack Ross RESCINDED Leeds defender wins appeal against red card in defeat to Millwall PROGRESS Tomori on 'dream' England call-up and watching World Cup with Chelsea team-mate “But he can’t just say I want to leave a year early, it’s crazy! “Somewhere along the line the clubs have to put their foot down. “I think Arsenal are in a position here where they can do football and the Premier League a favour – take him to court. “Go legal. It’s a breach of contract. It would send out a signal to everybody who plays the game. “He’s got no right to do that. Laurent Koscielny’s actions have shocked Arsenal and Alvin Martin has urged Arsenal to throw the book at him “What if it were the other way around? If the club said, ‘we don’t want to pay you the last year of your contract’, what do you think the outcome of that would be? “He would go legal – so why can’t the club do that to the player? “What have Arsenal got to lose? They’ve got a player who wants to walk out and has put their whole pre-season, and maybe even their season, in jeopardy. “They may as well keep him, and what that would do then is send a message out to everybody in the Arsenal dressing room and everybody in the Premier League. “They would be saying: ‘Hold on a minute, you signed a contract and, unless we want to sell you, you will honour that contract and if you don’t you could lose not just a year’s salary, you could lose everything’. “Honestly, I’m really annoyed. “When you see they money some of these players are getting, and they’ve got no responsibility to give anything back, not just to their team-mates and the manager, but to the fans. “Someone has to make a stand now.” Listen back to Alvin Martin’s Laurent Koscielny verdict from Kick Off IN FULL above

Marko Arnautovic was ‘disrespectful’ towards the West Ham Women’s team and often disrupted their training sessions, Claire Rafferty has told talkSPORT. The retired two-time Women’s Super League winner says the Austria forward had a ‘clear’ attitude problem and claims West Ham probably let him move to China having grown ‘fed up’ of him. Arnautovic completed a £23million transfer to Shanghai SIPG on Monday. Arnautovic’s long-awaited move to China was announced earlier this week The Hammers ran out of patience with the 30-year-old after he was the subject of fresh bids from the CSL, having been refused a move to China in January. It is also understood the east Londoners accepted a low offer this time around – compared to the £35m they turned down seven months ago – in order to get the nuisance player out the door. LATEST TRANSFER GOSSIP target him Arsenal told they'll only challenge for silverware if they sign this player GOSSIP Real Madrid plot double Spurs raid, Sterling a 'perfect Barcelona singing' and more new year sales West Ham star, wantaway Spurs ace - who Man United should target in January target Man City 'want to open talks' with Leicester for centre back wonderkid Erling Braut Haaland opens the door for Man United move raid Real Madrid 'preparing' swoop for Tottenham pair NEEDS Five players Tottenham should sign to save their season and how they would line up paper talk Pochettino 'had enough', Man United want double signing, Gerrard to Liverpool? And former England defender Rafferty, who hung up her boots this summer after representing West Ham, has revealed how Arnautovic often disrupted the Women’s team at the club’s Rush Green training ground. Speaking on Monday’s Kick Off, Rafferty explained: “I think in the end West Ham got fed up of him – he’s got a bit of an attitude, clearly. “In and around the training ground he’d always be quite disruptive of our training sessions when he’d walk over. Arnautovic has left the Hammers for China in disgrace in many fans’ eyes “We train in the same place [as the men’s team], but obviously on separate pitches, separated by one of the stadiums. “On multiple occasions he was just quite disruptive and disrespectful of our training sessions. “He’d be walking back from finishing his training and would shout over the wall and just be disrespectful. Rafferty has opened up on Arnautovic’s disruptive behaviour at West Ham “Bearing in mind we were doing tactical work, it’s a total disregard for what we’re doing; there’s no way in hell any of us would do that during one of their training sessions. “I think that’s just him, he’s clearly quite a boisterous character and is quite outspoken.”

Mikel Arteta rejected the Arsenal job because he wanted more control on transfers and would have been limited to just a £50 million budget. That’s according to Martin Lipton, deputy Head of Sport at The Sun who appeared on Kick Off on Monday night. News broke during the evening that Unai Emery was set to be appointed as Arsene Wenger’ successor imminently, despite Arteta holding positive talks with the Gunners’ hierarchy before the weekend. However, Lipton told talkSPORT the current Manchester City assistant coach was unwilling to work with such a stringent budget in his first ever managerial role. He said: “Arteta, who was being briefed and being pointed out as the most likely successor to Arsene Wenger, has developed cold feet with regards to the financial handcuffs he would have been under. “There is, and I’m being told this is right, £50 million spend maximum for any incoming manager. “Which seems like a lot of money, and they will point to the fact the money they spent of Aubameyang, on Mkhitaryan and also on giving Ozil his new deal in January. “And he wanted a bit more control, a bit more promises, a bit more guarantees which he wasn’t going to get. “Then suddenly, out of nowhere, Unai Emery (who only officially left management PSG yesterday at the end of the French season) flew into London, was obviously approached in the last few days. “And it does seem to appear that he will be unveiled as the next Arsenal manager.” Emery enjoyed plenty of domestic success in France, but the lack of success in the Champions League during his two seasons sealed his fate. He has however won the Europa League on three occasions; a competition Arsenal exited at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Atletico Madrid this season.

Listen to the latest Kick Off podcast, with Mark Saggers. Steve Walters, Chris Unsworth and Andy Woodward – all victims of Barry Bennell – speak to talkSPORT after Bennell is found guilty of sexual abuse of young footballers. Listen above or click here to download the podcast from iTunes

Steve Walters considers today the first day of a new life having seen serial child abuser Barry Bennell found guilty of 43 counts of sexual abuse of young footballers. Walters was one of Bennell’s victims while a youngster starting his career at Crewe Alexandra, and he was the second to come forward to accuse the 63-year-old in November 2016, following Andy Woodward’s interview in the Guardian earlier that month. Further victims stepped forward following those harrowing accounts of Bennell’s actions, and their decision to speak out has finally been rewarded. Bennell has been found guilty of 43 counts of sexual abuse of young footballers, and he will be required to appear at Liverpool Crown Court at midday on Monday, February 19 for his sentencing. In the aftermath of Bennell being found guilty of sexual abuse on an ‘industrial scale’, Walters spoke to talkSPORT to reveal just how he felt now that the man who haunted his childhood is set to face justice. “[I’m] totally relieved to be honest,” the 46-year-old said. “It’s been a long old year, but finally justice has given myself and the other guys closure and the opportunity to finally move on. “As far as I’m concerned, the rebuilding starts today. He has no power over me anymore. “When I was looking at the screen, he still has the arrogance, he’s still trying to deny what he’s done. But no longer does that scrawny little man have any power over me. “Today is [a] new beginning; onwards and upwards and looking forwards not backwards. “I’ve got to move on now. Today is massive for us all, but, as I said, I’ve got to move on. I can’t let him win. “I do just feel so much freer now; happy is not the word… it’s elation – I’m absolutely elated.” Walters’ decision to step forward, like Woodward’s, was praised as it opened the door to further victims revealing crimes committed by Bennell and other accused abusers. And though Walters will never forget the harrowing events of his youth, nor the impact they have had upon his life, he feels a positive can come out of them. Walters continued: “It is hard to come to terms with. My career has been ruined, my life has been ruined, by this monster. My mum and dad trusted that their boy would be safe playing football, and unfortunately that never happened. “There’s that many of us, and there are still others out there. We want other people – other survivors – to come forward. “We’ve said on numerous occasions we want to turn this huge negative into a massive positive now – that’s why we feel so strongly with the Offside Trust. “We want to support others and make sure others don’t suffer in the way we have.” “That will give us satisfaction; if it can prevent anything happening to any other child we will be happy men. “So let’s stop this happening anywhere. “We need parents to be vigilante all the time, we need more education amongst the schools and the public need to be made more aware.” When asked if he will return to court for the sentencing, Walters responded: “Most definitely. Monday at 12pm I’ll be there.”