Footage has emerged of BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand describing Kyle Walker as a 'liability' in an off-air rant during Manchester City's defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.
In a video captured by one Twitter user, Ferdinand and the rest of the panellists can be seen pouring through first-half footage in programming that was not on the air.
The short clip shows Ferdinand and fellow pundits Joe Cole and Nedum Onuoha looking through clips and making comments, ready for their analysis later on.
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The clip in question shows the pundits discussing the build-up to N'Golo Kante's opening goal where Walker lost Willian, who then played a crucial role in the move.
Ferdinand can be heard saying: 'Look at Kyle Walker, sleeping. Look at Kyle Walker.
'That's why England - whenever he plays - he'll always be a liability at the top level.'
Former Chelsea man Cole then added: 'I'm with you, I'm not saying that though because his mate comes to the gym.'
He adds: 'Everyone talks about this Man City team being perfect, it's not perfect. They will gift you that. They will give you that quick attack because Kyle Walker is playing as a winger.'
Ferdinand replied: 'You always know that you will get an opportunity against them, but you have to be clinical like they were today. If you've got the b*******.'
Cole then concluded: 'And that's why the good teams can hurt them because they've got players like [Eden] Hazard.'
The footage ends with BT Sport host Jake Humphrey giving the pundits some statistics as they prepare for the return of the live broadcast.
The Twitter user who posted the footage, @StevieGrainger, stumbled across the footage while watching the game on a live stream.
He tweeted: 'Wow. I somehow managed to stream a live feed of BT sport off-camera half time chat with Rio & Joe Cole having a go at the likes of Kyle Walker.'
Goals from Kante and David Luiz consigned City to their first Premier League defeat of the season as they surrendered top spot in the table to Liverpool.
moratorium
0
Firstly the verb is 'pored' not 'poured'. Secondly how is criticism 'bizarre' if made from a position of experience at high level. By the way, I wonder if the feed that provided off-air discussions was legal.
Bastas
0
This is the smartest thing Rio has ever said walker always and I mean always made a big mistake in every single big match that he played in for spurs miss his pace that took players wirh him when making runs that's it cant shoot cant cross cantvdefens liability
pOliver
0
Kyle Walker gets nervous in big games. But nobody's perfect. Still one of the best left backs out there. He has to cover a lot of ground. Not an easy job.
pensive
1
I'm a United fan and I remember Kyle walker saving us on a number of occasions during the World Cup with his pace at covering the centre half's.
Wendye
0
He's right - he was a liability at spurs which was why we were thrilled to let him go for £50m. He's gone to a side that wins medals but he's the weakest link!
Mahendraer
0
He is not entirely wrong, but the positive outweigh the negatives. Same as with Mendy
begongq
0
The way pep sets the full backs up is their strength and weakness. Teams just can't handle the 2 extra men in midfield
Edgarderek
0
They have to make comments like this to maintain they cushy pundit gravy train.If they had anything about them they would be giving something back to the sport that has given them a fantastic living
payback
0
He's a TV pundit who's paid well and loves publicity. So why does he not come out and.say these comments when interviewing Pep or Southgate or even Walker himself. There all great saying things off mike but lets see if has the balls to do it on a face to face basis. I.am sure Southgate would have a lot to say about mistakes he made in his career
lifetimes
0
Ferdinand probably forgot the number of mistakes he made during his career.
teardrop
0
As a blue I think that right back is statistically our least productive position,I would love to see City buy Wan-Bissaka, the best young fullback I have seen for some time!
faxing
0
In fairness he is a bit of a liability. They clearly haven't wanted to be rude on air, but what they are saying is correct.
prosperou
0
At least Walker has never climbed out of a toilet window to avoid a drugs test or serially cheated on his wife.
Fordroad
0
Ferdinand go forget about your wife like you have already
shandya
0
There's opportunity to score against every team on the planet given the right players to open them up and the right game plan, even wolves managed it, oh hang on that was a blatant handball. Perhaps more teams should grow a pair and have a go instead of hating City for entertaining?
Abrahames
0
He's right. Wenger also said the same during the World Cup.
iodineer
0
He was in the pfa team of the year last season,am not sure i saw one ragchester united outfield player in the team
favorite
0
Football is the game of mistakes. Commentators can air those mistakes as part of their contributions to the entertaining sport.
siccdream
0
Walker thinks to much of himself he is a good player but a massive liability
unware
0
People getting personal to Rio Ferdinand on here just shows how nasty they are. He's giving his opinion,say yours about football and shut up
Romnick
0
Walker may look good going forward but his defensive capabilities are woeful
December
0
He's right, City have individuals who have weak aspects in their game, but that's irrelevant at the moment because together they work because together they're positive as a team. He and Scholes couldn't wait to agree last week when Mourinho insinuated there's a quality issue in the United squad, my answer to that is we can't possibly know because unlike City we don't go and be positive against teams, our frailties in certain areas are horribly exposed most weeks unlike City's. It goes to show what cracks can be papered over if you defend on the front foot rather than the back.
Halereal
0
Walker always had a big mistake in him..A great defender but ask any Spurs fan. Last season against Wigan tells you all you need to know.
kamaai
0
He should have just said it ON air because he is spot on.
iodines
0
Walker always thinks he's the big next thing since leaving Tottenham....lol
halamardi
0
I guess Walker play to orders. If he wasn't good enough he wouldn't be in the team. Tell me one player who never make a mistake. That's football that's why we love it.
Stubby_Boardman
0
Walker makes mistakes more often than we’d like but he’s still one of the best RBs so eff off Ferdinand! Also why is everybody talking about Hazard like he played a big part in Chelsea’s win?? All credit to them for the win but Hazard was quiet!
💯💯💯💯💯💯
CityMan
0
Pundits sometimes analyze situations as if they were not once a professional footballers themselves. When watching a soccer game from the comfort of a BT sports office, home or soccer stands around the pitch, you identify errors that shouldn't be made easily because you can see the whole pitch. But, when involved in a game directly on the pitch, you're blind on some other things going on, no time to even think or mark opponents, total confusion.
Yep it’s the worst job ever because they’d lose their jobs if they didn’t spout BS like this all the time. Gotta stay relevant.🙄
CityMan
5
Walker makes mistakes more often than we’d like but he’s still one of the best RBs so eff off Ferdinand! Also why is everybody talking about Hazard like he played a big part in Chelsea’s win?? All credit to them for the win but Hazard was quiet!
Ridciknru
2
was not rio part of that man u team city beat 6-1 do his ass was sleeping then
Nesaiknruy_Legend
0
Wait where is the video that I scrolled down for? @Afy y'all got some explaining to do
Alakiri
0
good
Teoadekrz
4
transfer man unite live news
seddimp
0
Pundits should be encouraged not castigated they are there to bring the best in sports its left for you to correct your mistakes and respond positively on the pitch,After all you are still the one to earn the benefit when you play well.oh yes Walker was really sleeping ,how can you allow that in a high profile match and expect pundits to sleep with you?Indeed pundits are good they barely analyze badly!complacency is the greatest enemy of Manchester city!
hinadeuy
0
I like word WORD sleeping, Kyle walker is overrated like Jorginho from Chelsea..... My fellow Chelsea fans plz leave me alone.
who will disturb you before your opinion is for yourself only nobody cares about it
EnzoRomario99
3
Pundits sometimes analyze situations as if they were not once a professional footballers themselves. When watching a soccer game from the comfort of a BT sports office, home or soccer stands around the pitch, you identify errors that shouldn't be made easily because you can see the whole pitch. But, when involved in a game directly on the pitch, you're blind on some other things going on, no time to even think or mark opponents, total confusion.
gentlesoulnw
1
I like word WORD sleeping, Kyle walker is overrated like Jorginho from Chelsea..... My fellow Chelsea fans plz leave me alone.
bidceirz
2
why are these so call pundits coming down on players so hard they're so full of s***t. come on give the player a break.
Yorokiri
1
that's why it's called off the air footage,, because Rio ain't gonna be saying that when he knows the camera is rolling on him... it happens