” width=”333″ height=”316″>The Next Big Football Pundit
- Ian Harper
- 27 Feb 2025
Ranking all the stars most likely to follow Wayne Rooney into commentary.
With Wayne Rooney set to join Amazon’s Champions League coverage, he follows the path of Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand. But who is most likely to follow?
Some names stand out based on more than just fan appeal. Outspoken leaders experienced players with a tactical mind, and those who’ve already tested the waters in punditry are all strong candidates. By weighing factors like contract status, media presence, and prior analysis work, we’ve ranked the footballers most likely to trade the pitch for the pundit’s chair.
Odds on the Next Footballer To Become a Pundit
| Player | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| James Milner | 2/1 | 33.33% |
| Jamie Vardy | 4/1 | 20.00% |
| Ashley Young | 6/1 | 14.29% |
| Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | 10/1 | 9.09% |
| Callum Wilson | 24/1 | 4.00% |
| Kevin De Bruyne | 50/1 | 1.96% |
| Harry Kane | 100/1 | 0.99% |
James Milner To Step Into The Studio?
Out of contract at Brighton this summer, James Milner is a player many fans would love to see in the studio. His experience, versatility, and professionalism make him a strong punditry candidate, with one fan noting, “He’s played nearly every position and won everything worth winning.” However, despite working on his coaching badges,
Milner turned down a role on Klopp’s staff to keep playing, despite being reported to be working on his coaching badges. Our experts believe that management or coaching seems like a more likely long-term path, his knowledge and reputation would make him a sought-after pundit, even if only in the short term.
Vardy Or Young?
Two other players are out of contract at the end of the current season and are tipped to someday pick up the microphone.Vardy, known for his charisma and humour, would likely be a fan favourite in the studio. However, our experts predict that the lack of polish may not go down so well with TV executives.
Plus, Leicester are reportedly interested in keeping him for another season, and Manchester United are rumoured to be interested in adding more options to their flagging attacking options.
Ashley Young may be a safer bet from the producers’ point of view. He also has some experience, taking on a temporary role for Euro 2024 with TalkSPORT. Our experts believe he will likely look to continue playing for one more season before hanging up his boots.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilson, or a Big Star To Take On the Microphone
Oxlade-Chamberlain left Liverpool to join Turkish side Beşiktaş back in 2023, on a deal taking him to the end of the 2025/2026 season. Having been frozen out by the manager this season, he is unlikely to be happy to stick around for another season and may look at other options.
During his time at Liverpool, Oxlade-Chamberlain was frequently featured in club media content, hosting segments and looked very comfortable in front of the camera. Our experts believe he would fit in comfortably into any punditry role.
Callum Wilson is a name that some fans would like to see but is still playing at a high level and is unlikely to be thinking about retiring any time soon.
Big international star Kevin De Bruyne is out of contract at the end of this season but is a long shot to hang up his boots yet. Clubs in Saudi Arabia and the MLS look to be interested in pulling him away from Manchester City and may prefer to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldo or Messi. Known for his blunt, no-nonsense personality, De Bruyne’s directness could make a great pundit, but there’s little indication he’s looking to pursue this path yet,, our experts say.
Harry Kane’s calm and thoughtful approach mirrors that of former England captain-turned-pundit Gary Lineker. While he may not have the natural charisma of some ex-players, his tactical knowledge and experience at the highest level could make him a valuable studio analyst.
