Gary Neville believes that there is ‘something definitely going on in the dressing room’ of Manchester City amid Kevin de Bruyne‘s continued omission from the starting line up.
The Belgian was a late substitute on Sunday evening as his side suffered a damaging 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, courtesy of goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah which sent the Reds 11 points clear of the defending champions.
De Bruyne has struggled with a hamstring injury in recent seasons, missing 19 games last term with the issue, while in this campaign his minutes have been managed after he was forced to sit out five matches following a recurrence of the same problem.
But with Pep Guardiola‘s out-of-sorts side needing a result against Liverpool to keep their dwindling title hopes alive, the decision to omit the 33-year-old from the starting side raised a few eyebrows, including that of Neville, who believes it shows that there are some issues inside the City camp.
‘There are a few things that are interesting.’ He said on the Gary Neville podcast after the final while at Anfield. ‘The De Bruyne thing is unusual, bizarre, strange. Why is probably the best player the Premier League has had in the last 10 years not out there?
‘We know he’s had injuries but why is he not out there because he’s a leader, he’s got authority, he’s confidence and brilliance so something is definitely going on in the dressing room.
Gary Neville was among the pundits to float the idea that something is not right between Kevin de Bruyne and his manager Pep Guardiola
The former Man United defender believes that De Bruyne’s absence points to an issue in the City dressing room
The defending champions were brushed aside by this season’s run away leaders Liverpool
‘There’s something happening but Guardiola has got complete [control] of the club, he’s extended his contract and he’s probably just waiting for the January and [summer] transfer windows.
‘He has built two sensational football teams while he’s been at the club and he’s going to have to go and build a third.’
Neville’s view was shared by fellow former Premier League defender Jamie Carragher, who insisted that ‘something isn’t right’ between the attacking midfielder and his manager.
‘Something is going on with De Bruyne,’ he said on Sky Sports. ‘For me, he has been the best player in the for the last five seasons. He isn’t starting games and doesn’t come on at half time today.
‘I am not trying to cause more trouble for Manchester City but something isn’t right between those two. It is sad because we are talking about one of the greatest managers, and greatest players in the Premier League.
‘His contract is up this summer and I know he has had a few problems but something isn’t right if he isn’t in the team when he is fit.’
Last summer De Bruyne was linked with a move away from the Etihad as his current deal neared its expiration date. There were reports that the Belgian was open to leaving the club and his absence from the side has only added further speculation.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker also raised the question of whether there is a rift between De Bruyne and Guardiola, who has shown a ruthless streak with wantaway City stars in recent seasons.
Jamie Carragher also shares the view 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 substantial gametime in the last two seasons with a hamstring issue
‘Is there something going on there?’ He said on the Rest is Football podcast. ‘He’s been coming on for about five to 10 minutes for about a month now so you’d imagine he’s getting fitter. I even saw both of them making interesting statements in the week that seem that all is not well.’
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards added: ‘This goes back to before the international break where he got some minutes but after the break he didn’t start and then he hasn’t started again but he’s the one that can unlock a door.
‘We know that with De Bruyne you’ve got to wrap him in cotton wool, especially in previous seasons, but in a big game like this – but even just the talks and potentially going to Saudi Arabia at the end of the year, it looks like there’s some sort of rift going on between them.’
The City boss, who is on the worst run of form of his career, admitted that his team ‘cannot handle’ playing good sides at the moment after falling to their fourth Premier League defeat in as many games.
‘Teams are good and we can’t handle it right now,’ said Guardiola. ‘What can I say? These players have given me the chance to live maybe the best years of my life. All I can do is be here to try and find a solution.
‘In the right moment the club will take a decision about what is needed to allow this club to still be there.’
City’s recent slump has seen them fall to fifth in the Premier League. Their next chance to return to winning ways comes on Wednesday at the Etihad when they take on high-flying Nottingham Forest before they travel Selhurst Park to face a struggling Crystal Palace on Saturday.
