Ruud Gullit, the former Chelsea and Netherlands football legend, has unleashed a blistering attack on the current state of modern football, confessing that he has ceased watching the sport entirely because he finds it "horrible." The 63-year-old, who also managed Chelsea and Newcastle United, made these incendiary remarks during a recent podcast appearance on Dutch television channel Ziggo Sport.
Gullit's Scathing Assessment of Arsenal vs Chelsea Clash
Gullit singled out Arsenal's Premier League victory over Chelsea last Sunday as a prime example of everything he believes is wrong with football today. He described the match as "completely rubbish" and lamented the tactical focus on set-pieces, which he feels has stripped the game of its joy and spontaneity.
"I've decided to stop watching football... football has become absolutely horrible," Gullit declared emphatically. "I watched Arsenal against Chelsea, what a completely rubbish football match. I saw players trying to create corners, trying to create throw-ins, I saw ball boys ready to give towels to the players."
Where Have All the Daring Players Gone?
The former Ballon d'Or winner expressed a deep yearning for the return of players who exhibit courage and flair on the pitch. He highlighted a perceived absence of dribblers and individuals willing to take risks, instead criticising the modern emphasis on repetitive passing.
"I'm waiting for players who will dare to take on defenders again, someone like Lamine Yamal. I miss the joy," Gullit said. "I simply don't enjoy football anymore. Everyone is just performing tasks on the pitch. Where are the players who dribble? Where are the players with guts? Everyone just passes, passes, passes, and passes some more."
The Set-Piece Debate Intensifies Across the Premier League
Gullit's comments arrive amid a growing furore over the increasing reliance on set-pieces in English football. Arsenal's 2-1 win against Chelsea, where both goals originated from dead-ball situations, has fuelled this debate. The Gunners have now equalled a Premier League record with 16 league goals from set-pieces this season, matching tallies set by Oldham in 1992-93, West Brom in 2016-17, and Arsenal themselves in the previous campaign.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot added his voice to the criticism, admitting that Premier League matches are not "a joy to watch" and expressing a preference for the fluid, attacking style exemplified by Barcelona a decade ago. Slot noted a stark contrast in officiating, particularly regarding physical contact on goalkeepers, between the Premier League and other leagues like the Eredivisie.
Grappling and Wrestling at Corners Under Fire
The controversy extends to the amount of grappling and wrestling between players during corner kicks. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick acknowledged that the problem has worsened, despite previous assurances from football authorities that such tactics would be eradicated.
"I think it's gone too far," Carrick stated. "It wasn't long ago where we were told that you couldn't really lay a hand on anybody in the box and it was going to be stamped out and clamped down on. And it's crept in, it's gone stronger."
Carrick suggested that the high success rate of goals from set-pieces, especially corners, has incentivised more teams to adopt these physical, crowded-box strategies. While understanding the tactical rationale, he questioned whether the balance of the game has been compromised.
The collective outcry from figures like Gullit, Slot, and Carrick underscores a significant moment of introspection for football. As the sport evolves, the tension between tactical efficiency and entertainment value continues to provoke fierce discussion among its most storied participants.
