Darren Bent: Obsessed With Goals, Raised Through Divorce & Priced at a Record Fee | EP 11

On this episode of More Than A Name, we sit down with former England striker Darren Bent for a raw and deeply honest conversation about what it really takes — and costs — to make it at the top, and how life in football evolves after the final whistle.
Darren opens up about his obsession with scoring goals, and how that single-minded mentality fuelled his career while also shaping how he was judged. He reflects on why his England career never quite matched his club form, lifting the lid on selection, perception and timing at international level.
He also speaks candidly about his parents managing his youth career while going through a divorce, and how instability away from football affected him during his most formative years. Darren revisits the intense scrutiny that came with being Tottenham Hotspur’s record signing, explaining how expectation, confidence and pressure collided in North London.
The conversation doesn’t shy away from football’s harsher realities — including dealing with public criticism from fans, being labelled a “flop”, and the long-lasting impact of public narratives. Darren also shares his personal views on racism in football, offering insight shaped by both his playing career and his life beyond it.
Now a leading voice in the media, Darren discusses his transition into punditry with talkSPORT, how his perspective has changed since retirement, and why he approaches modern football debates differently as a former player who’s lived the pressure he now analyses.
Honest, reflective and unfiltered, this is Darren Bent beyond the goals, beyond the noise, and truly more than a name.
Get in touch with Max and Luke: morethananamepod@gmail.com
Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethananamepod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morethananamepod
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@MoreThanANamePodcast