Ian Wright has made a playful dig at the confidence of his grandson D’Margio Wright-Phillips after the young Stoke striker claimed he is a BETTER finisher than his grandad.
Wright is an Arsenal and Crystal Palace legend with 387 goals in a hugely successful playing career, but he was brought down a peg or two by his 20-year-old grandson in an interview this week.
D’Margio, who made his professional debut in the third round of the FA Cup earlier this season and scored on his first home start in the Championship, made the bold claim in an interview with The Times this week.
D’Margio Wright-Phillips has burst onto the scene at Stoke after making his debut in January
He claimed this week that he is a better finisher than his grandfather, Arsenal hero Ian Wright
Wright hit back on Twitter, writing ‘look at the chest on this yute’ with some laughing emojis
When asked about the similarities to his father – Shaun Wright-Phillips – he said: ‘It’s the low centre of gravity, the confidence to try and take on a player,’ before adding: ‘With my grandad, I’d say I think I’ve got better finishing than him.’
Responding on social media, Ian Wright quoted the article and said: ‘Look at the chest on this yute’ with a series of laughing emojis.
D’Margio can write his name in the history books on Tuesday night as his Stoke side travel to his grandfather’s old team – Crystal Palace – in the FA Cup fifth round.
After a stunning start to life as a pro in the third round of the same competition, the 20-year-old will hope to get a run-out at the same stadium Wright used to score at most weeks.
Wright-Phillips will hope to score at his father’s old hunting ground Selhurst Park tonight
Wright, now a TV pundit, has been revelling in the steep rise of his grandson D’Margio
D’Margio’s father Shaun Wright-Phillips is also a famous ex-footballer, playing for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City
Speaking about receiving his debut earlier in the season and immediately calling both father Shaun and grandfather Ian, Wright-Phillips revealed: ‘They both just said, “Listen, when you get on the pitch just enjoy it. That’s it. Just enjoy it, go out and do your stuff”.
‘I was a bit nervous but I couldn’t wait to get on the pitch and show what I’m about and make the most of it. I spoke to my dad afterwards in the car park and he was just very happy.’
Wright-Phillips came through the academy at Manchester City – where his father played for eight years across two separate spells – before moving to Stoke in February 2021.
So far, it has been a hugely successful start to life at the Bet365 Stadium, making his professional debut in January against Leyton Orient.
A week later, his Football League debut came against Hull City and he was voted man-of-the-match, and then a week after that he scored just a minute into his home league debut against promotion-chasing Fulham.
After breaking into the first-team, he was rewarded with a new two-and-a-half year contract.