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…”
Phil Neville hates the people that don't rate Ross Barkley #Punditry pic.twitter.com/IDbRREaPiU
— Barryfrom (@Barryfrom) April 9, 2017
Phil Neville hates me! I've succeeded in life ? https://t.co/d2SqEsKeO3
— Drew Peacock (@Knowlesy1) April 9, 2017
@Barryfrom @EvertonNewsFeed Osman will be devastated!
— Dom (@Dom_EFC) April 9, 2017
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…
Phill Neville actually thinks Ross Barkley is as good as Kevin De Bruyne pic.twitter.com/HJIdNtkTTV
— We Love Man City FC (@WeLoveManCityFC) April 9, 2017
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
Screaming, Phil Neville just said Barkley is on the same level as De Bruyne
— cam ;/ (@ffsFella) April 9, 2017
Phil Neville needs putting down after saying Barkley as good as kdb, imagine having the kind of brain that thinks that?! #Tit
— Tone MCFC ⚽️ (@MCFCTone) April 9, 2017
Is Phil Neville capable of comparing players to any other club's than City's? Barkley as good as De Bruyne now apparently. What a whopper
— Pete Dillon (@pdillan1) April 9, 2017
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 (@Smith15D) 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
Phil Neville on Ross Barkley: "we see Kevin De Bruyne doing that, and he's a £50m player, I think Barkley is the same" get this man off TV.
— ️️ (@SilkyIlkay) April 9, 2017