Everton winger Andros Townsend told not to give up day job live on ITV after Tottenham dig
Andros Townsend was told not to give up his day job at Everton as his World Cup commentary stint came to an end in Qatar.
The injured Toffees winger hasn’t played a minute for the club since an ACL injury suffered at Crystal Palace on 20 March last season, but is nearing a return to the squad once the club is back in action after the World Cup.
The former England player has been on commentary and punditry duties during the tournament, but his ITV colleague Seb Hutchinson advised him to stick to playing for now, despite being caught unexpectedly by a joke from the Everton man, directed at Arsenal over Dusan Vlahovic.
Speaking live on the ITV4 coverage of Switzerland’s 3-2 victory over Serbia on Friday night (2 December, 8.17pm) Hutchinson said in the 76th minute: “15 minutes more of Andros Townsend at this World Cup.”
“Lucky you guys,” replied the Toffees winger.
Hutchinson added: “Not because you’re being dropped, just you’ve got to get home.”
Townsend replied: “Yeah, got to get back to my day job.”
And finally Hutchinson said: “Rejoining Everton. Don’t give it up, please.”
The exchange came during the same game that the 31-year-old had shown his previous Spurs colours during a discussion about Vlahovic, saying while laughing as per FourFourTwo, of the striker’s decision to join Juventus over the Gunners last January: “No brainer… I should stay impartial.”
Long-awaited
Townsend has been putting himself out there during his long lay-off and has probably secured himself his post-playing career in doing so.
Frank Lampard would like to see him contributing on the pitch for Everton before that though, having missed out on his influence for the best part of a year.
A free transfer arrival under Rafael Benitez, he has proven to be good value in scoring seven times and assisting four more over his 27 total appearances.
Lampard needs all the help he can get in the attacking department as his current options haven’t produced anywhere near enough in the last few games.
If Townsend can make a full recovery from the major injury he suffered last season he is young enough to play for a good few years still, and if he can add something important to the line-up before the end of the season there is no reason why that can’t be at Goodison.
But he is a considered man who is good behind the microphone so he is sure to make further appearances on TV and radio either way.