Andy Murray doesn’t need an invite to poke fun at his British tennis pal Liam Broady on social media and Arsenal’s 5-0 drubbing of Chelsea in the Premier League on Tuesday night has got the two sparring once again.
The always outspoken Broady is a big Manchester City supporter, but he was confused by Chelsea’s limp performance in their mauling at Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz scored twice against his former club as Arsenal tightened their grip on top spot in the Premier League by denting Chelsea’s European aspirations with a thumping 5-0 win.
Gunners forward Havertz, who made a £65million switch from Stamford Bridge last summer, registered two of four second-half goals on a remarkable evening at a jubilant Emirates Stadium.
The manner of Chelsea’s defeat sparked debate over the future of manager Mauricio Pochettino and inspired Broady, who broke into the top 100 of the ATP rankings late last year, to offer up a question about why the Blues were performing so badly.
That sparked Murray to offer up a quick response, with Broady not impressed by the contribution from the three-time Grand Slam champion in this jovial exchange:
Broady and Murray have been used to sparring on the platform that used to be known as X, with two of the more colourful characters in British tennis always keen to share their opinions.
Broady has often spoken about his love of football and especially Manchester City and he was celebrating on his social media platforms when Pep Guardiola’s side completed the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble for the first time in their history last season.
“When we completed the Treble, it was just a bit surreal because when I first started supporting the Blues, we weren’t very good – which is a nice way of putting it – now it’s an insane time to be a City fan and I’m just trying to soak it all in,” he said.
“I kept telling everyone we wouldn’t do it, which was my reverse psychology to protect myself – and it worked!”
Broady also received messages from City players as he made it through to the third round at Wimbledon last year, with attacking star Jack Grealish among those who sent a video message.
“I’d got a follow from Phil Foden and Kalvin Phillips as well as some messages from the boys and it was just immense,” he added in an interview with the Manchester City website.
“I’ve spent my entire life following City and much of my time watching these lads play on TV and been impressed with how good they are at what they do, so to have them take time out of their days to wish me good luck or watch me play is a class touch and very personal for me – but I think that’s what our club is all about.”
Broady put his fingers to his ears to copy Grealish’s goal celebrations when he beat Casper Ruud in the first round at Wimbledon on Centre Court last year.
Now Broady will be hoping for more celebrations for both City and himself as we head into the most important phase of the season for both.
