Gary Neville claims “something isn’t right” at Manchester City this season amid their defeat to Tottenham on Super Sunday – and that Pep Guardiola’s team are “not as strong” as before.
Spurs ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Harry Kane’s first-half goal, as City missed the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal, who lost 1-0 at Everton on Saturday.
Neville cited City’s display when they went 2-0 down to Tottenham in the home fixture last month when describing Guardiola’s side – and hinted the Spaniard “got it wrong” in north London this weekend.
“I remember when Tottenham went 2-0 up at the Etihad and I said that Pep Guardiola was messing around and tinkering a bit a few weeks ago,” Neville said while on Sky Sports co-commentary duty.
“I felt the same today when I saw the teamsheet came through with no Kevin De Bruyne and Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte still on the bench.
“You can never write Manchester City off. It’s almost embarrassing that sometimes you are sat up here saying Guardiola has got it wrong, particularly when proves himself so right so many times like he did a few weeks ago.
“But something isn’t right at Man City. It just feels a little bit strange at the moment.”
Neville added: “Guardiola knows these players better than anybody, but you can’t help but think Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne, you can’t help but feel that seven players with any of the three up front would work.
“Pep knows best but it just feels, watching City, they are not the same at the back. They are not as strong. In midfield, they are not as good as they should be with the likes of De Bruyne playing. He’s been the top man.
“Pep is closer to it. He sees the players every day.”
More to follow.
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