Graham's Blog

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Pat Nevin. For the first time, here’s the full episode.
In part two Pat explains what is stopping Eden Hazard becoming the best player in the world and how Johan Cruyff was the greatest-ever influence on the beautiful game. Pat also waxes lyrical about his beloved friend, the late great John Peel, the radio DJ who taught him, and a million others, that it’s okay to be different.
If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/grahamhunter

Last season, our Socios at patreon.com/grahamhunter got an exclusive interview with Pat Nevin. For the first time, here’s the full episode.
Pat was as intelligent a footballer, most notably at Chelsea, as he is a human being.

In part one, he tells how he honed his natural talent by copying the greats of the game – such as Celtic-era King Kenny Dalglish, how meeting the charismatic John Terry taught him a lesson about never prejudging people, and how he just loves being considered one of life’s ‘weirdos’.

If you would prefer not to wait 12 months to listen to these extra interviews, it’s time to become a Socio at patreon.com/grahamhunter

Hola! Charlie Adam’s late father was his greatest influence, instilling in him a will to succeed by demanding hard work and total commitment. The graft paid off, and this majestic midfielder graced several famous jerseys including those of Rangers, Liverpool and Scotland.

Charlie’s passing abilities made him hot property, and he is one of that rare breed who is able to visualise and articulate precisely how he executes his artistry. He could also hit a shot – boy can he shoot – and he describes some of his most famed strikes, including a free-kick in a Wembley play-off final victory for Blackpool which he considers fated because he had hit a carbon copy in training the day before.

Charlie also pays tribute to Liverpool legends Luis Suárez and Steven Gerrard, describes being man-marked by Phil Jones, and relates in detail how on earth he managed to score a goal for Stoke City at Chelsea from inside his own half.

Brilliant stuff from a brilliant guy.

Graham

Here’s another chance to hear my interview with Steve McManaman from season two.
Johan Cruyff once described Steve as the partner to everyone on the pitch. He epitomised elegance, passing ability and vision, and graced the field with Real Madrid legends such as Roberto Carlos, Zinedine Zidane, Raul and the Brazilian Ronaldo. There was also Claude Makelele, the unsung hero who Steve reckons was the cog that made Los Galacticos tick and whose departure spelled their decline. We hear about how before that, this boyhood Evertonian learned at the feet of Liverpool greats. About how his decision to depart Merseyside for Real – a club apparently in turmoil – was vindicated when he won the Champions League in his first season there. About how conflict with the Madrid hierarchy spoiled a golden era. And if you want to know what it was like in the Camp Nou away dressing room after scoring in a Los Merengues victory in the semi-final of the Champions League, then listen in.
This is truly legendary stuff. Enjoy it.

Hola!
The title of Per Mertesacker’s new autobiography is BFG: Big Friendly German. When we visited him in outer London, we found him indeed to be an amiable fellow. Yet this World Cup and triple FA Cup winner was nothing but imposing when he starred as a centre-half for Hannover 96, Werder Bremen, and, most famously, Arsenal and Germany.
Nowadays, Per is the manager of the Gunners’ academy, and he gives us a fascinating insight into how he instils the three core values of Respect, Discipline and Humility into his young charges, reflecting the old-school upbringing which he benefited from. Per loved his time playing at Arsenal, but missed the more intimate relationship between fans and stars which exists in Germany. He explains why he trained to help the mentally ill instead of learning how to use a rifle, talks about the pressure becoming the primary earner for a family can place on talented kids, and is brilliant on that incredible 7-1 drubbing of Brazil in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup.
Enjoy
Graham