After some time away from competitive football, Troy Deeney’s highly anticipated return to the field didn’t exactly go as planned.
The former Watford frontman made his debut in the Baller League on Monday night—but it turned into a night to forget.
A Rough Welcome Back in the Baller League
Deeney suited up for Wembley Rangers as they faced off against FC RTW on matchday five.
The atmosphere was buzzing, and fans were eager to see the ex-Premier League striker in action.
But just when things started heating up, Deeney’s physical style made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Midway through the match, Deeney got into a heated moment with opponent Tareiq Holmes-Dennis.
After a heavy barge, Holmes-Dennis retaliated by trying to leap onto Deeney’s back—an escalation that quickly turned the game into a scrappy affair.
Mark Clattenburg Sends Deeney Off After On-Field Clash
None other than former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg was officiating the game.
And he wasn’t about to let things slide.
Following the incident, Clattenburg showed Deeney a straight red card, sparking a full-on melee between both teams.
With tensions flaring and players piling in, the Baller League clash spiraled out of control for a few chaotic moments.
Not exactly the debut Deeney—or Wembley Rangers—had hoped for, especially as they went on to lose the game 4-3.
Life After the Dugout for Deeney
This fiery return to the pitch also marks Deeney’s first involvement in football since his stint as manager of Forest Green Rovers.
His time there ended in disappointment after failing to secure a win in six games, leading to his sacking in January 2024.
Despite that managerial setback, Deeney’s playing career remains a standout one.
He’s best known for his lengthy spell at Watford, where he became a club legend and a recognizable name in the Premier League.
He later had stints with Birmingham City and Forest Green Rovers before stepping into coaching.
Never One to Hold Back—Deeney’s Take on Tottenham
Even though he’s now exploring different sides of the game, Deeney hasn’t lost his edge.
Just last week, he joined talkSPORT as a pundit and didn’t hold back on his thoughts about Tottenham’s rough season.
With Spurs hovering near the bottom of the table, Deeney offered a candid opinion about the club’s future.
He praised the integration of younger players but hinted at a looming overhaul, suggesting that veterans like Son Heung-min, James Maddison, Yves Bissouma, and Richarlison might be on their way out.
The Leadership Tottenham Is Lacking
In Deeney’s eyes, Tottenham’s biggest problem isn’t talent—it’s experience.
“They need one, maybe two older pros just to be like, ‘We don’t do that here.
This is how you win things,’” he said, comparing their situation to Chelsea’s recent struggles.
He pointed to young talents like Mikey Moore as promising, but emphasized the need for veterans who can guide the next generation through tough times.