Graeme Souness used former Arsenal defender, Per Mertesacker, as an example as to how stats can ‘kid you completely’ when praising Chelsea talent, Billy Gilmour.
Speaking to ITV on Saturday afternoon, Souness was talking about how he was impressed with Gilmour’s performance during Scotland’s 0-0 draw against England on Friday at Euro 2020.
With Arsenal defender, Kieran Tierney producing an equally good performance behind the Chelsea man for Scotland.
Gilmour ran the show in the middle of the park, as England’s midfielders – Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips and Mason Mount struggled to produce a forward-thinking display and cope with his talents.
And Souness slammed how safe and negative midfielders have become in today’s game, as he mocked Mertesacker’s statistics from over five years ago as an example as to why it’s a problem.
“Billy Gilmour, the first thought, as with all the Scotland players was in there or get it forward,” said Souness.
“I don’t want to be critical of the two defensive midfielders (Phillips and Rice). But the modern midfield player would seem to get away with where it’s just enough to keep possession. That means they are going sideways.
“I go back five or six years. The player who completed the most passes in the Premier League, this is where stats can kid you completely, was Mertesacker at Arsenal. And it was like ten yards there. Ten yards here.
“I come back to Gilmour. He has the wonderful habit of only passing to the same coloured shirt.”
It was quite the performance from the Scots at Wembley despite many writing them off before a ball was kicked.
Gilmour was perhaps Man of the Match on the night and if he wasn’t then Tierney wasn’t far off.
After the Arsenal left-back missed Scotland’s opening game through injury, he was back with a bang against the Three Lions, producing a well-balanced attacking and defensive performance on the night.
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