Ex-Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf was discussing how the game is less physical now compared to when he played - using Alan Shearer to make his point.
He told the Chelsea FC Supporters Magazine "I returned to France because the game was too rough in England.
"It was nothing like France. In France you would roughen up the strikers but in England Alan Shearer would punch you before you got to him!"
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has recalled how Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer broke his nose - twice.
Leboeuf was on French sports show SFR Sports alongside fellow ex-Blues defender William Gallas as the pair discussed how the Premier League had become less physical than it once was.
And in making his point, Leboeuf comically told the story of playing against Shearer.
Leboeuf said: “I got my nose broken four times as a player (twice by Shearer). Because strikers… Shearer in particular, the guy when there was a goal kick coming our way, he’d look back at where you were and send an elbow flying in your face, and you’re just like ‘s**t!’”
Gallas, whose career only slightly overlapped with the end of Shearer’s, joked: “I’m happy that I never played in your time.”
Shearer’s physicality certainly didn’t hold him back.
He was sent off just twice in his whole career which spanned 18 years in total - 10 of which were at Newcastle United.
He still also holds the record as the all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with 260 goals in the English top flight.
Leboeuf made over 200 appearances for Chelsea and also made 50 appearances for France. He was noted throughout his career for being a centre-back who took penalties, netting all but three of the ones he took while at Stamford Bridge.