Matt Le Tissier blasts Sky Sports with biggest criticism and reveals worry about Gareth Southgate
Football news: Matt Le Tissier has taken aim at Sky Sports
GETTY
Matt Le Tissier has criticised Sky Sports and says the channel 'lacks humour'.
The former Southampton star was sacked by the broadcaster in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sky insist they wanted to revamp their personnel but Le Tissier has repeatedly alleged that he was axed for his beliefs.
The 54-year-old told GB News earlier this year that his family thought he had 'mental health problems' because of his opinions on Covid-19.
WATCH NOW: Matt Le Tissier career in pictures
And Le Tissier has now said Sky isn't the same following the departure of Jeff Stelling, with the channel 'lacking humour'.
“Occasionally, if I’m in I’ll watch it," he told The Sports Daily.
"There just doesn’t seem to be quite the same humour, quite the same level of camaraderie there than there used to be.
"I think it’s difficult because obviously we had a team there that was together for a long time.
"Jeff Stelling’s left now as well – that’s a tough job for Simon Thomas because Jeff was just incredible at that job that he did.
“For me that show was kind of built around Jeff. We were there simply as the extras.
"I’m not sure what Mike Dean has added to it. I’ve seen him on there a couple of times.
"I did see the clip where Paul Merson decided to get a little bit angry with him a couple of weeks ago.”
Le Tissier was also asked about England and their hopes of reigning supreme at next summer's European Championships in Germany.
The Three Lions were poor on Monday night as they drew 1-1 with North Macedonia.
And while Le Tissier feels England must challenge, he's worried Gareth Southgate may be too defensive to steer the country to glory.
“The players we’ve got at the moment – I think we should be amongst the favourites to win that tournament. Absolutely. 100 percent," he said.
"My one kind of one question mark is – is the manager positive enough for us to do that?
"That’s been my one question mark about Gareth.
“He’s put us in some good positions with some solid, steady football.
"But when it came to the big moments, I don’t think he was positive enough when they were ahead in games.
"I felt like we became a little bit too defensive – the 2020 final illustrated that, so hopefully we can continue to learn from that.”
One player set to play a starring role for England is Jude Bellingham, so long as he stays injury free.
The 20-year-old has dazzled at Real Madrid in the short time since his arrival, scoring 13 goals from 14 matches.
That included a memorable double in a stirring 2-1 El Clasico win over Barcelona.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Football news: Matt Le Tissier fears Gareth Southgate is too defensive to steer England to trophies
GETTY
And Le Tissier thinks Bellingham has the potential to be named the best player in the world one day.
“I would say Bellingham has Ballon d’Or potential," he continued.
"I watched him live during the England vs Italy game a few weeks back and that was the first time I’d seen him in the flesh.
"He was very impressive – really impressive work rate and his ability in controlling tight situations of the football is second to none.
“He’s a big guy, he’s a strong guy, and he’s got an edge to him already at 20-years-old.
Football news: Matt Le Tissier has lavished praise on Jude Bellingham
GETTY
"He’s not afraid to speak his mind to the older senior pros and tell them where they should be.
"I think this boy’s got everything, I really do. He is a potential Ballon d’Or winner. He is the complete package.”
You may like
