Jamie Carragher criticized Gary Neville for a last-minute alteration to his Premier League team of the season, highlighting a divergence of opinions between the Sky Sports pundits on three players.
Carragher raised eyebrows by including Chelsea standout Cole Palmer in his selection, despite the team’s recent struggles. In contrast, Neville opted for a unique 4-2-4 formation in his lineup.
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Neville’s chosen eleven featured Declan Rice and Rodri positioned in the central midfield. The former Manchester United player justified his picks by saying: “I could have gone with Douglas Luiz at Aston Villa and I compared the stats between Luiz, Rice and Rodri.
“Luiz could have got in but with Rice and Rodri, it gives the front four more freedom to attack. Rodri is the best midfielder in the world in his position, and City have lost games when he’s been missing.”
Carragher then quipped: “Gary, I know for a fact that you had Douglas Luiz in your team at 6pm tonight!”
At the midway point of the season, both squads were predominantly similar. Carragher and Neville shared eight players in their respective lineups, with three variations.
Carragher chose Tottenham’s goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, impressed by the Italian’s early performances in English football. In contrast, Neville opted for Liverpool’s Alisson Becker as his goalkeeper.
The defensive lineup was identical for both pundits, with Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right, William Saliba and Virgil van Dijk as the center-backs, and Spurs’ Destiny Udogie on the left. Arsenal’s new addition, Rice, secured a spot in both teams.
Carragher’s lineup featured a midfield trio, with the assertion that Palmer has been among the Premier League’s top performers despite Chelsea’s challenging start to the season.
“Palmer has been one of the players of the season,” the former Liverpool defender said. “Not just one of the best Chelsea players, but one of the best in the Premier League.”
Carragher included Bernardo Silva in his lineup, whereas Neville opted for Silva’s Manchester teammate, Rodri. Both pundits agreed on the selections of Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, and Son Heung-min. Neville, employing a 4-2-4 formation, added Jarrod Bowen as an additional forward.
Neville expressed his belief that Unai Emery has been the standout coach in the first half of the season. Aston Villa currently sits in second place in the league standings, trailing the leaders Liverpool.
Carragher added: “I am the same. I was thinking about Gary O’Neil as well. He has been sensational.
“When I look where Wolves are in the table and they have probably been there under Nuno [Espirito Santo], compared to where Aston Villa are now, it feels like a really long time since they have been there so I would go with Unai Emery as my manager of the year.”
