The BBC has announced that four new pundits will join its rotating cast of Match of the Day experts for the new Premier League season.
Former Tottenham and Brentford manager Thomas Frank and the recently-retired Ashley Young will be part of the coverage on the channel, along with ex-Belgium centre half Toby Alderweireld and fellow former Spurs player Robbie Keane.
The quartet join an established roster of pundits that includes Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer. The presenting trio of Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates will continue in their second season after taking over from Gary Lineker fronting the programme.
While the long-standing highlights show remains in place, Saturday lunchtime’s Football Focus has been axed after 52 years on the air.
BBC One will instead show The Football Interview, with Kelly Somers speaking to Tottenham midfielder James Maddison ahead of the first Saturday of the new top-flight season.
“Football means something different to every fan, and this season BBC Sport is putting those fans even more firmly at the heart of the game,” Alex Kay-Jelski, the BBC’s director of sport, said.
“We're bringing together the unrivalled expertise of former players and managers with the passion, personality and perspectives of supporters themselves to create a richer football experience wherever and however audiences follow the game.”
