We know that Phil Neville clearly has a fear of sudden jets of water.
But after his comments over the weekend, he many want to avoid but Everton fans and Manchester City supporters too. That’s because his somewhat outlandish views on Toffees’ young midfielder Ross Barkley haven’t gone down well at all.
For quite a mild-mannered pundit in general, he was scathing of the element of the Goodison Park faithful who don’t especially rate the player, complaining about his inconsistency and ineffectiveness when it matters by claiming he “hates the people who don’t rate Ross Barkley…”
https://twitter.com/Barryfrom/status/851121994359853057
Phil Neville hates me! I've succeeded in life 😃 https://t.co/d2SqEsKeO3
— Drew Peacock 🔴 (@Knowlesy1) April 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/Dom_EFC/status/851158405154820098
Phil Neville says he hates people slating Ross Barkley, Ok to slag off every single United player on a daily basis?
— Yer Man🍉 🇵🇸 (@Drawski5) April 10, 2017
But worse was to come when he compared Barkley, a player of obvious talent but someone who takes 12 touches of a football when one will do, to Manchester City and Belgium maestro Kevin de Bruyne. This statement was met with derision and mockery in equal parts as being somewhat wide of the mark.
Poor Phil…
https://twitter.com/WeLoveManCityFC/status/851121964882292737
Phil Neville – "De Bruyne is a £50m pound player. I think Ross Barkley is one in the same!" pic.twitter.com/p5Jo731Mga
— Adam (@a_stann) April 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/ffsFella/status/851119832565260289
https://twitter.com/MCFCTone/status/851152343278264324
https://twitter.com/pdillan1/status/851124181269979136
Phil Neville just compared Ross Barkley to Kevin De Bruyne, and said the Everton man is a £50m player. Give it a rest Phil #EVELEI
— David Smith (@Smith_D17) April 9, 2017
Phil Neville reckons Ross Barkley is on the same level as Kevin De Bruyne. That's enough for today.
— Matt (@matt_kindon) April 9, 2017
Has Phil Neville just said Barkley is as good as De Bruyne or am I tripping balls
— Cal (@MacRitchieCalum) April 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/SilkyIlkay/status/851119739258761216