Sky Sports make embarrassing Paul Merson error during live deadline day coverage
Sky Sports News delivered another blunder to add to the list of transfer deadline day moments on Monday, with viewers spotting a graphic for Paul Merson.
Though deadline day is renowned for serving up drama, the channel had a busier day of programming than usual thanks to the activity of leading clubs - specifically Liverpool snapping up Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi in a monumental double swoop.
Sky brought in a number of former players to give insight and opinions on the latest goings on, with ex Arsenal midfielder Merson getting the call-up.
Merson was in the studio at lunchtime alongside former Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow and his customary introduction graphic flashed up in yellow on the screen.
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But while it was correct in stating that Merson scored 46 goals in 280 Premier League appearances for the likes of Arsenal, Middlesbrough and Villa, hilariously it mistakenly claimed that Merson had a tally of 483 assists.
His actual tally in the top flight is 43 but fans on social media could not help but laugh at the gaffe produced.
One fan on X wrote: "Didn’t know Paul Merson was an absolute assist king."
A second commented: "You sure? @SkySportsNews Paul Merson with 483 Premier League assists apparently."
A third joked: "I remember him as a good player, but those 483 assists in just 280 games makes him one of the best ever! Fair play Merson."
Another said: "How good was Paul Merson? @SkySportsNews."
Merson names the player Premier League clubs should have gone for
During his latest appearance on Sky Sports, Merson named Nicolas Jackson as the one player Premier League sides should have gone in for.
Having been frozen out Chelsea, Jackson has signed for Bayern Munich on an initial loan for a fee of €15 million - though the deal contains an obligation to buy in 2026.
The injury to Liam Delap looked set to cancel Jackson's move but the deal, which includes a five-year contract, has still gone through.
"I'm amazed that no-one's come in for Nicolas Jackson," Merson said.
"How Newcastle have come in for him I do not know. They bought the lad from Germany, I don't know what's going to happen - he's never played in the Premier League and it's a different game.
"Nicolas Jackson is a handful. He made [Cole] Palmer as good as Palmer made him in my opinion, they worked as a pair and he made runs and made space.
"Aston Villa, they don't look like scoring a goal for toffee! I'm flabbergasted. He's a bit rough but I'm shocked he's not gone anywhere else.
"Don't get me wrong he's got a lovely move to Bayern Munich, an amazing club. But everybody wants to play in the Premier League."
Topics: Sky Sports, Paul Merson, Transfer News
Josh Lawless