Gary Neville claims that “something is happening” in the Manchester City dressing room due to the “strange” exile of Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne's continued exile from Man City's starting lineup has caught the attention of former Man United player and pundit Gary Neville.
The Belgian came on late on Sunday night as City suffered another conviction. defeat 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield with goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah.
De Bruyne has battled a hamstring injury in recent seasons and missed 19 games last season with the issue. This season he missed five games after the same problem arose again.
With Manchester City's recent poor run of form, the decision to leave the 33-year-old out of the starting XI has caused a stir, with Neville suggesting there could be trouble in paradise.
“There are some things that are interesting,” he said on Gary Neville's podcast after the final at Anfield.
“What about De Bruyne is unusual, strange, strange. Why is probably the best player the Premier League has had in the last 10 years not present?
“We know he has had injuries, but why isn't he there? Because he is a leader, he has authority, confidence and brilliance, so something is definitely happening in the locker room.
“Something is happening, but Guardiola has complete (control) of the club, has extended his contract and is probably just waiting for the January and (summer) transfer windows.
“He has built two sensational football teams while at the club and he will have to go build a third.”
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher He agreed with Neville, who insisted that “something is not right” between the attacking midfielder and his coach.
“Something is happening with De Bruyne,” he said on Sky Sports. “For me he has been the best player of the last five seasons. He is not a starter in the games and does not come on at halftime today.
“I'm not trying to cause more problems to city of manchester But something is not right between those two. It's sad because we are talking about one of the best coaches and best players in the Premier League.
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“His contract ends this summer and I know he has had some problems, but something is not right if he is not in the team when he is fit.”
Last summer, De Bruyne was rumored to be leaving the Etihad as his current contract was about to expire. Now his absence from the team has only added more 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 City's stars in recent seasons.
“Is something going on there?” said in the Rest is football. podcast. “He's been training for five to ten minutes for about a month, so you'd imagine he's getting fitter. I even saw them both making interesting statements in the week that seem like all is not well.”
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards added: “This goes back to before the international break where he had a few minutes but after the break he didn't start and then he didn't start again, but he's the one who can open a door.
“We know that with De Bruyne you have to wrap him in cotton wool, especially in previous seasons, but in an important game like this, but even the talks and potentially going to Saudi Arabia at the end of the year, there already seems to be some kind of rift between them ”.
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De Bruyne joined Manchester City in August 2015 for a club record fee of £55 million.
He has scored more than 100 goals for City and has won 6 Premier League titles with the club.
Guardiola, who is in the worst moment of his career, admitted City “can't stand” playing good teams at the moment after their fourth Premier League defeat.
“The teams are good and we can't stand it now,” Guardiola said. “What can I say? These players have given me the opportunity to live perhaps the best years of my life. The only thing 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 needed to allow this club to remain there.”
Man City's recent drop in form has taken them to fifth place in the Premier League. Their next chance to get back to winning ways will come on Wednesday night when they host Nottingham Forest.
