By Korede James
Former English Premier League player Joey Barton has controversially claimed that the African continent has never produced a defender better than Jamie Carragher.
Barton, who played for Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers among others, made the comments in support of former England and Liverpool defender Carragher, who has received heavy backlash for saying that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is not a major tournament.
Carragher has since clarified his comments, admitting that he was clumsy with his language.
Appearing on the Common Sense Podcast, Barton, who was a journeyman midfielder, featuring for several clubs in a controversy-laden career, challenged anyone to show him one African player better than Carragher.
“Can anybody out there, as much as all the Afrikanos have had a pop at Carragher for saying what he said,” said 42-year-old Barton, who is currently undergoing trial after being charged with assault for allegedly kicking his wife in the head during an argument.
“There’s no better defender come from Africa than Jamie Carragher. Africa have never produced a better defender than Jamie Carragher.
“Name me a better defender, can anybody name me a better African defender. Kolo Toure is not better than Carragher
“If I said to you, can you have one in your team, bear in mind Carragher played at right back. Again, we’re going through this great continent that’s produced phenomenal talent and deserves to be taken seriously as a major tournament. Well, you can’t name me one defender.”
In rebuttal to Barton’s outrageous claim, tons of respondents on social media have named numerous African defenders better than Carragher, including Lucas Radebe, Taribo West, Rigobert Song, Stephen Keshi, Achraf Hakimi, Joseph Yobo and Joel Matip.
