UK<\/p>\n
Joe Hart There\u2019s long been a feeling that, when it comes to punditry, only goalkeepers should talk about goalkeepers given the unique nature of the role. That view will have been strengthened by Hart\u2019s appearances during this World Cup<\/a>. The former England No 1 has been an authoritative voice on all things shot-stopping, providing the sort of insight and analysis only a man who has been there, done that and worn the gloves can. Highlights include his flagging of keepers getting a hand to long-range efforts but not being able to keep them out and how this definitely wasn\u2019t normal, and how a subtle left-sided weight emphasis was the reason Jordan Pickford was done at his near post for the Democratic Republic of the Congo\u2019s goal against England in Atlanta. This sort of thing, allied to passionate yet crisp oratory, has made Hart a big asset for the BBC, whose decision to stay at home has meant it needs as much punch as it can get. Sachin Nakrani<\/p>\n Roy Keane I\u2019ve generally not been a fan of Keane as a pundit, but fair play to the former Republic of Ireland captain, he\u2019s been a top watch from his chair in front of ITV\u2019s stunning New York backdrop. There\u2019s been the usual scathing takes and emphasising of \u201cquality\u201d but now with a relatively calm authority that makes for palatable as well as gripping viewing. Alongside that, it has felt as if there has been a genuine push to provide actual analysis. Not as much, or as detailed, as the excellent Emma Hayes, but certainly to a greater level than normal, seen in his breakdown of Brazil\u2019s midfield failings during the first half of their last-32 contest with Japan. Keane has also nailed his look \u2013 cropped grey hair allied to a perfectly curated grey beard. He looks great, especially in the type of patterned shirt you could not have imagined would be in the wardrobe of such a no-nonsense man. SN<\/p>\n USA<\/p>\n Clint Dempsey There is no shortage of former players in the world of American soccer punditry. Alexi Lalas is the most notable<\/a> but many others \u2013 Landon Donovan, Stu Holden, Maurice Edu and others \u2013 have found work in the studio or commentary box immediately after retirement. The USMNT legend Clint Dempsey did not follow that path. After stepping away from the game in 2018, the 43-year-old vanished from public view. When he re-emerged in 2021, he did so as a commentator for CBS Sports, to great effect. Dempsey has refined his craft and been superb on Fox\u2019s World Cup coverage this summer. \u201cDeuce\u201d is laid-back and brutally honest all at once and among the few US players working in media who has the bone fides to back up his analysis. Dempsey\u2019s analysis and commentary feel a bit like his play did \u2013 colourful, full of flair and sitting in stark contrast to the typical American fare. Pablo Iglesias Maurer<\/p>\n Clarence Seedorf He retired just before European soccer\u2019s major stateside boom but make no mistake: Fox\u2019s coverage has been tremendously better off for the involvement of your favourite player\u2019s favourite player, Clarence Seedorf. Even Zlatan Ibrahimovic felt compelled to fight his gregarian instincts when they first shared the soundstage, making sure viewers knew Seedorf was one of his idols. The former Netherlands international is a natural at punditry. Rather than craft his thoughts for soundbites, he really converses through the granular details of a sequence and can seamlessly shift into big-picture assessments with grace. It\u2019s an approach that makes every segment better for his involvement, a fitting second act after doing similar floor-raising work in his years on the pitch. Jeff Rueter<\/p>\n Clarence Seedorf greets his compatriot Virgil van Dijk before the Netherlands\u2019 last-32 match against Morocco. Photograph: Carl Recine\/Getty ImagesAustralia<\/p>\n Harry Kewell Since his playing retirement in 2014, Kewell\u2019s focus has been firmly on coaching, working in England, Scotland, Japan and now Vietnam \u2013 with little success. So it was somewhat unexpected when the former Socceroo seamlessly slipped into the role of pundit on SBS\u2019s World Cup panel. Kewell endeared himself to the local audience early, clapping back at the US analyst Mike Grella for his dismissive comments about Australia well before the tournament. The former Liverpool and Leeds winger\u2019s analysis has proved to be thoughtful and incisive, particularly regarding Australia, and, drawing on his experience as a coach rather than just leaning on the title of former international, his insights have been a refreshing departure from the chest-beating, flag-waving blather that can often surround the Socceroos. Not to mention it helped that his appeal extends beyond his football expertise<\/a>. Jo Khan<\/p>\n Harry Kewell has been part of SBS\u2019s World Cup panel. Photograph: Hiroki Watanabe\/Getty Images<\/p>\n