Gary Neville has brutally joked that Chelsea star Cesar Azpilicueta's performance during the first half of the Blues' clash against Manchester City reminds him of his final days in professional football. Despite Pep Guardiola choosing to make nine changes after his City side secured another Premier League title, Chelsea found themselves under significant pressure and behind after just 12 minutes.
Wesley Fofana surrendered possession in his own half with Cole Palmer pouncing on the error to set Julian Alvarez free who then emphatically dispatched beyond Kepa. On co-commentary duty, Neville went on to criticise three Chelsea defenders for their roles in the goal.
The Manchester United legend said: "Well we’re 10 minutes in and this Manchester City team which is well below par in terms of selection have been far better than this Chelsea team in this first 10 minutes. Really poor giveaway from Fofana, Azpilicueta is out of position, Chalobah is out of position, but the pass from Cole Palmer is never in doubt - he makes it look really easy."
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Prior to his assist for the opening goal, Palmer had caused Azpilicueta numerous problems, which also resulted in Neville delivering a brutal assessment of the Spaniard's performance. Neville infamously retired halfway through the 2010/11 season, with his decision coming a few weeks after a notably below-par performance against West Bromwich Albion.
"I am just watching Azpilicueta on that far side. It does take me back, I have to say, to games toward the end of my career," Neville said on Sky Sports. "Where he just looks shattered over there in that first 10 or 15 minutes. City are rampant and should go two-up. It's a little bit like five-a-side football in the end."
The Blues captain is one of many expected to depart in the summer with Mauricio Pochettino set to become the club's next manager, as football.london understands. Kalidou Koulibaly, Trevoh Chalobah and Marc Cucurella are other defenders at risk of being sold.
Despite having a contract at the club until the following summer, an imminent sale is likely with Barcelona one club to have previously monitored the 33-year-old. Under interim boss Frank Lampard, he has made four Premier League appearances with starts coming in the defeats to Arsenal and Brentford.
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