• Week in Words

Child's play for Cook

Even these kids could do a better job than Alastair Cook, says Kevin Pietersen (sort of) © Getty Images

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In the latest edition of ESPN's Week in Words, Kevin Pietersen finds new ways to belittle Alastair Cook, Jose Mourinho risks former mentor Louis van Gaal's wrath over Luke Shaw and Sir Bradley Wiggins turns his back on the Tour de France…

"The cover drive is the easiest shot in the world to play. Every kid can do it so why not someone as talented as Cook?"
Never one to miss an opportunity to stick the boot in, Kevin Pietersen has called on Alastair Cook to resign the England captaincy

"Until I get that tap on the shoulder saying 'We don't want you to be captain' I'm desperate to turn things around for England. If I'm not good enough at the end of the summer, then so be it"
Cook, however, remained defiant after England's winless streak extended to 10 Tests with defeat to India at Lord's

"If we pay to a 19-year-old boy what we were being asked for, to sign Luke Shaw, we are dead"
Jose Mourinho believes Luke Shaw and his hefty wages would have 'killed' Chelsea's dressing-room spirit

"I don't have to answer, I don't think I have to discuss things with the media. It's better to discuss it with Jose"
Mourinho could be in for some stern words from his former mentor Louis van Gaal over his comments about Shaw

"I thought Aidy was rubbish, and my rubbish was just a bit better than his"
Gary Anderson was not that impressed by his victory over Adrian Lewis in the World Matchplay quarter-finals

"The last six or seven weeks since I've been back on the track have just been really refreshing and a good distraction from all of that Tour de France nonsense"
Sir Bradley Wiggins says he's done with the Tour de France

"I'd be a bit p****d off if I were him"
Bradley also had a dig at the Commonwealth Games organisers by saying Sir Chris Hoy has been "done over" by the branding of his velodrome

"He was pretty direct about it. It was after about half an hour of meeting him. He straight out asked - or did he tell me?! He might have told me actually!"
Ryan Giggs recalls being appointed assistant manager at Manchester United by Louis van Gaal

"There are murderers who pay less for what they have done"
Iago Aspas believes his former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez is getting unfair treatment from FIFA

"His reaction was babyish - showing the referee the bite marks"
Suarez also found support from Juventus legend Paval Nedved, who said he could "understand" the striker's actions and branded bite victim Giorgio Chiellini a baby

"An immense thank you to Sir Alex Ferguson for making it all possible, for giving me the privilege to be a captain, to be inspired by the legend of Manchester United and to understand that nobody is bigger than the club"
After leaving Manchester United for Juventus, Patrice Evra left a parting tribute for his former manager

"I have enjoyed every minute of representing my country and it is a sad day for me knowing that I won't pull on the England shirt again"
Steven Gerrard confirmed his international retirement after making 114 appearances for England

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