Paul Merson builds his perfect footballer

Paul Merson, during a visit to UCFB, looked back over his illustrious playing career and built the perfect footballer from players he played alongside.

Paul recently attended UCFB Wembley as the guest speaker for 2024 Welcome Week, speaking to students about his career on the pitch and in the media.

With more than 700 professional appearances and 21 England caps, Paul played alongside some of the greatest players of the era.

Right foot – Paul Merson

Nobody could kick with the outside of their right foot who I played with like me. I’m not going big time but I’m confident. David Ginola said I had the best outside of the right foot he’d ever seen.

Left foot – Alan Wright

He just had a sweet left foot. Nigel Winterburn was a brilliant defender, but no disrespect to him, I don’t think he had that sweet left foot.

Heading ability – Dion Dublin

He could rise and stay there, and he was as brave as anybody.

Fitness – Ian Taylor

I thought Ian was one of the most underrated players I ever played with. How he never got a cap? He was up and down, up and down. He weighed about five stone wet through.

Footballing brain – Dennis Bergkamp

Easy. Dennis without a doubt. I thought I had a good footballing brain, but I never played with anybody like Dennis Bergkamp. He was the best footballer I ever played with by a million miles.

Skill – David Rocastle

He was ahead of his time. He was doing stepovers 35-40 years ago, long before Ronaldo. His skill level was phenomenal, God bless him.

Attitude – Tony Adams

He was a leader of men. At 18 or 19, he was captain of a big football club, a Rolls Royce of a football club. He was never scared to come in and pick people out, even though he was having a bad game. He was a proper leader. A bit like John Terry or Roy Keane, they turned out to be like Tony Adams. He was the first.

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