Martin Keown and Simon Jordan clashed in a heated exchange regarding Harry Kane's penalty miss against France, with Keown implying that Jordan enjoys giving stick to footballers.
The debate occurred one day on from the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. In the game, both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe scored multiple penalties, with Messi's side winding up victorious after a penalty shootout.
Appearing on TalkSPORT this morning, Jordan made a comparison between Mbappe and Kane. While the Frenchman nailed all three of his spot-kicks in the final, Kane blazed his second effort over the bar against France in the quarter finals. In Jordan's mind, Mbappe's excellent execution was proof that Kane 'bottled it' in the quarter final clash.
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"This boy (Mbappe) took three penalties in a game, and all three penalties went where they needed to have gone," said Jordan.
"People may not like my analogy about Harry Kane, but I do think pressure overcame him. ..People don't like the expression 'bottled it.' But when you say someone bottled it, it doesn't mean they are a bottler, it means in that moment in time the circumstances overcame them.
"People talk about heroes and these wonderful leaders of men, these are young men playing in a very privileged sport"
It was at this point that Keown cut in and brought up the fact that Mbappe missed the penalty that consigned France to defeat against Switzerland at Euro 2020. The former Arsenal man then launched into a stunning tirade against Jordan, criticising him for revelling in Kane's misfortune.
"Let's not use it as an arrow to shoot our players. How old was Messi when he missed in the Copa America? You haven't done your research," said Keown.
"It's a throwaway comment to have a go at Harry Kane. Harry Kane's our best penalty taker and he will be in the future.
"I just don't think we should be beating Harry Kane around the head."
Jordan then continued to hammer home his point and stated that people have a right to be disappointed in how Kane struck his second penalty.
Jordan then turned his attention to Keown and footballers in general and accused them of wallowing in praise but being unable to deal with criticism, a point which clearly vexed Keown.
"Well don't use it as an opportunity for you to have a go at players yeah," said a clearly annoyed Keown.
"You love it don't you? Where is the empathy and sympathy for our National hero? He misses a penalty in a huge moment - he has the Nation's expectation on his shoulders."
Jordan proceeded to tell Keown that he doesn't look at footballers as heroes, with Keown retorting that the ex-Crystal Palace owner has an unfriendly view of footballers because of how things panned out at his old club, a charge which Jordan denied.
The heated exchange continued for another few minutes before presenter Jim White very awkwardly went to a commercial break.
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