A biography for Chris Suttonhasn’t been written yet.
“I had a mix of managers - Roy Hodgson was always calm in his technical area at Blackburn. Conte is the opposite.”
“I've been there myself in a team that has gone a man down. You have to play, otherwise you risk regretting inviting pressure on yourself.”
“Roberto De Zerbi earned a reputation as an expansive coach in other countries. De Zerbi's Sassuolo managed the most possession of any team in Italy's Serie A in 2020-21. His Shakhtar Donetsk side were also topping the table for possession in Ukraine's Premier League in 2021-22 when the season was terminated.”
“Harry Kane was a one-season wonder. Then he did it for another season. Then another. And another. Until finally he was accepted as an every-season wonder for Tottenham. Even Arsenal fans would have to agree he is a fantastic footballer.”
“I scored my one and only goal for Birmingham - and my 150th in the English and Scottish leagues - in a showdown with Villa and the atmosphere was enough to induce goosebumps.”
“Gundogan can slip under the radar but he is a super intelligent player, particularly in his movement. Cogs in the machine don't come much more important than him.”
“Eventually, a manager must realise when a player is not benefiting the team, no matter who it is.”
“Marcelo Bielsa is a big loss to English football. His style of play could be kamikaze at times but it was never boring to watch. He was a master of chaos, and it is thanks to him that the juggernaut that is Leeds United Football Club returned to the Premier League after too long away.”
“Manchester City are often criticised for being the money bags. They write the cheques that bring in first-class talent.”
“Chelsea sold me to Celtic for 6m after a single season. But I took Gianluca's teachings with me and one of my best ever goals was a left-foot volley in a 4-3 Champions League victory against Juventus of all clubs.”
“My dad was always driving me on when I was a young person - he was a huge inspiration.”
“For me, temporary concussion substitutions are a must.”
“Haaland's left foot can be used as a sledgehammer, or he can use it to dink a delicate chip into the back of the net.”
“We all know the arrogant view on Scottish football from down south but to manage one of the Glasgow giants you have to have a strong character and personality and skin as thick as a rhino.”
“I loved scoring goals for Celtic, especially against Rangers.”
“Spurs have fallen into a habit of hiring pragmatic managers when fans want to be entertained.”
“The Premier League is recognised as the best league in World football.”
“If you don't press as a unit, it doesn't work because the opposition spend all week on the training ground practising how to use those gaps you're leaving to their advantage.”
“Haaland doesn't seem like someone who would be fazed by the pressure of trying to score against the best goalkeepers and defences in the world.”
“Watch Haaland and you'll see he's never afraid of knocking the ball by a defender before bursting beyond him. He knows if he gets his body ahead of his opponent then the only way he'll be stopped is by being brought down.”