Fulham legend George Cohen talks modern day Football during a visit to Wembley Stadium.



George Cohen MBE, who was part of England squad that won the 1966 World Cup, spoke to NCTJ students at the home of football - to discuss the unveiling of a statue in his honour at Craven Cottage this Saturday.

The former right-back, who played 459 times for Fulham and spent his entire career with them, also discussed the England manager's job and money in football now compared to when he played.

The last statue Fulham erected was of Michael Jackson and Cohen said he was "very proud" to replace the King of Pop.

The 76-year-old joked, "They can put a little George Clooney in, we have the same initials."

He added, "I didn't know about this until two months ago, my wife didn't tell me. When she eventually did I was flabbergasted.

"They have been taking photographs of me at my house and gave them to a genius of a sculpture and the way he designed it was amazing."

Earlier this week, the Football Association "mutually agreed" to part with Sam Allardyce after the 61-year-old was secretly recorded offering advice on how to "get around" rules on players transfers.

While Cohen rates Allardyce as a "decent manager" and feels it was a "shame" he had to leave his post after 67 days, he thinks Big Sam caught out because of greed.

"He was earning £3million a year as England manager, offering to do a deal for £400,000 is something he should not have done," he said.

Cohen had warm words for the man who has taken temporary charge of the England team.

"Gareth Southgate understands the game, he's done well with the Under 21's and I think he will do well with the seniors.

"The FA may keep him if he does a good job, only time will tell."

The subject of money in today's game was brought up and Cohen, who had offers to leave Fulham from Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool during his career - believes money is damaging the future of youth teams players.

He concluded, "When I started my career (in 1956) I was earning £20 a week and when we won the World Cup we split £22,000 between the whole squad.

"Today money rules, everybody can see.

"If you want to be at the top you have to spend money on the best players and unfortunately the other teams have got to lump it and try and do your best against them.

"Clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and even Tottenham can afford to buy these players, its wonderful for the club but not good for the youngsters.

"The skill that the foreign players brought into the country was good for our football but they took the places of our youngsters and we a suffering that today."

Transfer deadline day, August 2016 round-up.

Jack Wilshere joined Bournemouth on loan from Arsenal in the most surprising move on transfer deadline day. The 24-year-old has only featured in two games the season, both off the bench, and has moved to the South Coast in search of first team football ahead of Euro 2016.                       

The record-breaking window, Premier League clubs spend over £1billion in a transfer window for the first time, saw 13 teams break their transfer record, with champions Leicester City shattering it twice - £16m on Ahmed Musa and £30m for Islam Slimani.

Chelsea resigned David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain for £34m two years after he left Stamford Bridge to join the French champions for £50m.

The Blues also spent £23m on former Bolton left-back Marcos Alonso, who signed from Fiorentina, while Loic Remy left Stamford Bridge to join Crystal Palace for the rest of the season.

Arsenal fans finally had some good transfer news as the Gunners addressed their problem area's, namely defense and up-front, with the captures of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez from Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna respectively.

Tottenham Hotspur added Euro 2016 runner up Moussa Sissoko to their squad, he cost £30m from Newcastle United and took their total spending to £70m.

Paul Pogba became the most expensive player in the world when he joined Manchester United from Juventus for £89m last month but the Red Devils did not sign anybody on transfer deadline day.

Their 'Noisy Neighbours' Manchester City also did their business early in the transfer window but Joe Hart left the club on deadline day to join Torino on loan for the remainder of the 2016/17 campaign.

Samir Nasri and Wilfred Bony followed Hart out of the Etihad exit door, with the former Arsenal player moving to Sevilla and the Ivorian signing for Stoke City.

West Ham United added World Cup 2010 winner Alvaro Arbeloa to their squad on a free transfer after he was released from Real Madrid.

The Hammers allowed Enner Valencia to sign for Everton for the rest of the 2016/17 season.

Promoted Burnley spent £10.5m on Jeff Hendrick from Derby Country while the other teams that came up, Hull City and Middlesbrough, signed Dieumerci Mbokani and Adama Traore.

Liverpool did not make any signings on deadline day but they let Mario Balotelli leave the club for Nice.

The Premier League is on a break due to Internationals fixtures, we will see how the new signings fit into their teams on September 10^th.

For a complete list of transfers during the summer window click here.