Gary Neville believes there is ‘definitely something going on in the dressing room’ at Manchester City amid the continued omission of Kevin de Bruyne from the starting line-up.
The Belgian was in action late on Sunday evening as his side suffered a damaging 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, leaving the Reds 11 points clear of the defending champions.
De Bruyne has struggled with a hamstring injury in recent seasons. Last season he missed 19 games due to the problem, while this season his minutes were used up after he had to sit out five games following a recurrence of the same problem.
But with Pep Guardiola’s out-of-control side needing a result against Liverpool to keep their dwindling title hopes alive, the decision to leave the 33-year-old out of the starting line-up raised a number of eyebrows, including Neville, who believes this to be so. shows that there are some problems within the city camp.
“There are a few things that are interesting.” He said this on the Gary Neville podcast after the final at Anfield. ‘That De Bruyne thing is unusual, bizarre, strange. Why is the best player the Premier League has had in the last decade probably not here?
“We know he’s had injuries but why isn’t he there because he’s a leader, he’s got authority, he’s got confidence and brilliance, so there’s definitely something going on in the dressing room.
Gary Neville was one of the experts who put forward the idea that something is not right between Kevin de Bruyne and his manager Pep Guardiola
The former Manchester United defender believes De Bruyne’s continued absence from the starting XI points to a problem in City’s dressing room
The defending champions were swept aside at Anfield by Liverpool, this season’s runaway leader
“Something is going on, but Guardiola has got the club complete, he has extended his contract and he is probably waiting for the January elections and [summer] transfer windows.
‘He built two sensational football teams while at the club and he will have to build a third.’
Neville’s views were echoed by former Premier League defender Jamie Carragher, who insisted there was ‘something not right’ between the attacking midfielder and his manager.
“There is something going on with De Bruyne,” he told Sky Sports. ‘For me he is the best player of the last five seasons. He doesn’t start any games and won’t come into halftime today.
‘I’m not trying to cause more problems for Manchester City, but something is not right between the two. It’s sad because we’re talking about one of the best managers and best players in the Premier League.
‘His contract expires this summer and I know he has had a few problems but something is not right if he is not in the team when he is fit.’
Last summer, De Bruyne was linked with a move away from Etihad as his current contract neared its expiry date. There were reports that the Belgian was open to a move away from the club and his absence has only fueled further speculation.
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker also raised the question of whether there is a rift between De Bruyne and Guardiola, who has shown a ruthless streak with willing City stars in recent seasons.
Jamie Carragher also shares the opinion that De Bruyne, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is not on the same page as his boss
The 33-year-old has missed significant playing time over the past two seasons due to a hamstring problem
“Is something going on there?” He said this on the Rest is Football podcast. ‘He’s been doing about five to ten minutes for a month now, so you’d imagine he’s getting fitter. I even saw them both make interesting statements during the week, which made it seem like not everything was going well.’
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards added: ‘This goes back to before the international break where he got a few minutes but didn’t start after the break and hasn’t started since, but he’s the one who can open a door.
‘We know you have to wrap him in cotton wool with De Bruyne, especially in previous seasons, but in a big game like this, but even just the talks and possibly going to Saudi Arabia at the end of the year, it seems like that as if there is some kind of rift going on between them.’
The City boss, who is in the worst form of his career, admitted his team ‘can’t cope with good teams at the moment’ after their fourth Premier League defeat in as many games.
“The teams are good and we can’t cope now,” Guardiola said. ‘What can I say? These players have given me the opportunity to experience perhaps the best years of my life. All I can do is be here to try to find a solution.
‘At the right time the club will make a decision on what is necessary for this club to continue to exist.’
The recent slump has seen City drop to fifth in the Premier League. Their next chance to return to glory comes on Wednesday at the Etihad when they take on high-flying Nottingham Forest before traveling through Selhurst Park to take on struggling Crystal Palace.