IAN WRIGHT and Roy Keane paid an emotional tribute to George Baldock live on ITV ahead of England’s match against Greece.
Former Sheffield United star Baldock was tragically found dead aged 31 in his swimming pool at his home in Glyfada, Athens yesterday.
Buckingham-born Baldock qualified to play for Greece via his grandmother, and earned 12 caps for them after debuting in 2022.
Ahead of Thursday’s game between England and Greece at Wembley, Wright and Keane had words of respect for the late former full-back.
Wright, 60, worked with Baldock while working as a first-team coach at MK Dons under Karl Robinson.
On Baldock’s tragic death, Wright said: “Terrible news, shocking news. In this time you cannot help but think about his friends and family, family obviously.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
“It was devastating news. I spoke to Karl Robinson last night, he was devastated.”
Asked what sort of character Baldock was, Wright said: “Hard-working, determined.
“Obviously like you mentioned it was down at MK Dons and he was somebody you always thought, the way he applied himself, he was probably going to go to where he wanted to get to, the Premier League.
“And he did. Like I say, I’m very sorry and all my condolences go to his family.”
Most read in Football
Baldock played for Sheffield United for seven years before joining Greek side Panathinaikos in the summer.
He featured for the Athens side against Olympiakos on Sunday.
On how hard it would be for England and Greece stars that knew Baldock, Keane added: “It will be. It’ll be a big shock to the players of course.
“I remember watching a lot of him at Sheffield United, very tenacious, played with huge energy and was always up for a battle.
“But the players will have to react, they’re professional. And they’ll have to go out and try to put on a good performance for him.”
George Baldock career stats
George Baldock has tragically died aged 31
2009-2017 – MK Dons 125 games (2 goals)
2011 – Tamworth (loan) 3 (0)
2012 – IBV (loan) 18 (1)
2012 – Tamworth (loan) 15 (1)
2015-16 – Oxford United (loan) 47 (3)
2017-2024 – Sheffield United 219 (6)
2024 – Panathinaikos 4 (0)
Ahead of the game, players and fans took part in a minute’s silence at Wembley.
A request from Greece for both teams to wear black armbands in Baldock’s honour was granted by Uefa.
The former Blades star had played for Greece as recently as March.
According to Greek media, Baldock was found by the owner of his property after his wife, still based in England, had raised an alarm having being unable to contact him.
He was later found dead, with an initial autopsy confirming he had drowned.
Several prominent figures within football have paid tribute to Baldock, including Harry Maguire and Dele Alli, as well as his former clubs.
‘HEARTBROKEN’
His family also released a statement, which read: “We are heartbroken with the sudden passing of our beloved George.
“You were the most special father, fiance, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person.
“Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those that were fortunate enough to know you and those that adored you from the stands.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“We will forever cherish the special memories we have of you and you will continue to live on in your beautiful son.
“You were due to fly home today for us to celebrate his first birthday together, but instead we mourn your loss.”
Dominating Mbappe, Premier League Iron Man, promotion hero: A tribute to George Baldock
By Kostas Lianos, Digital Sports Reporter
IT was back in 2019 when Greece legend Vasilis Torosidis – the heir to Euro 2004 hero Giourkas Seitaridis – retired from international duty after 101 caps.
A giant void was left behind at right-back, many talented players tried to step up – and none of them could fill those big boots.
But, soon enough, I started to hear whispers about a Premier League ace with Greek heritage who’s a starter week-in and week-out…
That was none other than George Baldock, born in Buckingham on March 9, 1993, to English parents but qualified for Greece through his grandmother.
And what a season he was having. The right-back starred for Sheffield United as they surprised the Prem in the 2019-20 campaign – their first in 12 years – by finishing in the top half of the table.
Baldock was among their standout players as he registered a staggering 3,420 minutes played – the joint highest along with the likes of Declan Rice and Virgil van Dijk.
The defender was keen to make the big step to the international stage with his grandmother’s homeland – and it didn’t take long until he shook hands with the Greek football federation (EPO) chiefs.
However, a long and arduous paperwork slog stood in the way – with the then Sheffield United star claiming Covid-19 and Brexit slowed things down.
Greece finally got the right-back they were begging for for years as Baldock made his debut on June 2, 2022 in a Nations League clash at Northern Ireland as a late substitute.
It didn’t take long until the English-born ace owned the right flank at the back and impressive performances followed.
Perhaps none compare to the Euro 2024 qualifier against France in June 2023 when Baldock did the unthinkable and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet for 104 MINUTES, despite being injured and playing through “unimaginable” pain.
I still remember speaking to then-Greece manager Gus Poyet about his player’s stunning performance, and I will never forget the big smile the Chelsea legend had on his face.
Poyet reminded me of a proud father as he took me through the injury hell the full-back endured before squaring up against perhaps the world’s best player for his country.
A beaming Poyet told me: “Against the Republic of Ireland [three days beforehand] – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to come out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?’
“At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.
“You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.
“Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.
“And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.”
It’s easy to understand how loyal Baldock was to every team he ever played for during his 15-year career, just by looking at his stats.
The Greek ace started his career at MK Dons in 2009 where he amassed a staggering 125 appearances throughout an eight-year stint that also saw him playing on loan for Northampton Town, Tamworth, IBV and Oxford United.
The defender joined Sheffield United in 2017 and registered a whopping 219 appearances in seven years that also saw him helping his team achieve two Premier League promotions.
Baldock’s work ethic and commitment was no different in Greece as he proudly stated two years ago: “To play for the national side is a great honour and a lot of pride involved for me and my family.
“Representing my country through my late grandmother, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I love the country and I will fight for every success”
Baldock never played for England at any level, but he always competed like a lion and he proved it on Sunday in his last ever match when he started for Panathinaikos, whom he joined in the summer, against eternal rivals Olympiacos in perhaps the most intense derby in Europe.
He served his team with honour as he helped them pick up a valuable point in a goalless draw against their in-form foes, who had just played their best game of the season with a 3-0 win over Braga in the Europa League a few days earlier.
He only managed 12 caps for Greece before his sudden and tragic death at the age of 31 on Wednesday in Athens.
But his fighting spirit and charisma at right-back with the white and blue, as well as his remarkable run in the Premier League and the Championship, show that he is leaving a legacy behind for many Greek and English fans to look up to.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
