Neville hits at Man City for being too reliant on one player

Gary Neville reflects on the stalemate between Manchester City and Liverpool and claims the Citizens are too reliant on Kevin de Bruyne.

Gary Neville is of the opinion that Manchester City have become too dependent on Belgian midfielder De Bruyne.

The 29-year-old is no doubt one of the best-attacking midfielders in world football and has shown his worth over the years.

De Bruyne was on mercurial form last term where he was awarded the PFA Player of The Year Award.

His goal contributions have dwindled this season and it’s no surprise Manchester City have struggled this term as well. The Belgian missed a penalty in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool that leaves City mired in mid-table. Many were left commenting on the player’s form in the aftermath of that result.

De Bruyne missing penalties at home? Could never be my midfielder.
— 𝗺𝘂𝗳𝗰𝗱𝗲𝗷𝗶 (@giftedgalbraith) November 8, 2020

In fact, Gary Neville believes most of City’s struggles is due to the fact that they are too reliant on their start midfielder.

“You wonder if it’s just as simple as not having Aguero? It can’t be that simple. Something’s not the same,” said Gary Neville on his podcast as quoted by Sky Sports.

“Both sides are a little bit weaker than they were two years ago, which makes the league more interesting. We’re seeing Leicester and Saints and Spurs top of the league, which we like.”

“There certainly is a slight cause for concern for City. They’re less precise in their attacks, and it feels they rely more heavily on one player in Kevin De Bruyne than they did a few years ago, and if he’s not on song, they don’t really create nearly as much.”

Asides De Bruyne, Neville also adds that City are missing the impact of former player and legend David Silva who left the club after 10 years of service over the summer.

“David Silva is obviously a huge miss, we knew he was a brilliant player, and almost at times the glue to keep everything together, the flow in the game. So it’s a changing team, and certainly they’re different.”

“They’re not as good defensively, or as precise in attack, but they’re still a brilliant team. Now we’re just seeing a little bit of a drop off from that.”