They Could Have Done More”: Gary Neville Slams Chelsea’s Big Money Signings After 3-1 Defeat to City

Gary Neville, former Manchester United defender and respected football analyst, recently delivered a scathing critique of Chelsea midfielders Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández after the Blues’ 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. This loss not only highlighted Chelsea’s ongoing struggles but also cast doubt on their hopes of securing a Champions League spot next season.

Despite being among the most expensive players in Premier League history, Caicedo and Fernández failed to live up to their reputations in what was a pivotal match for Chelsea. The club, known for its heavy financial investment in building a star-studded squad, found itself unable to maintain an early advantage. This lack of control in midfield raised questions about whether these high-profile signings could truly make the impact expected of them in crucial games.

Chelsea started the match on a high note, with Noni Madueke scoring in just the third minute. The early goal seemed to set the stage for a promising performance, and the Blues even had an opportunity to extend their lead. However, a misplaced pass from Cole Palmer disrupted a scoring chance for Nicolas Jackson. City capitalized on Chelsea’s missed opportunities, with Josko Gvardiol equalizing just before halftime.

The second half saw a complete shift in momentum as Manchester City found their rhythm and took control of the game. Chelsea’s inability to respond effectively became evident through their dismal statistics—managing only one shot on target and recording a mere expected goals (xG) of 0.18 compared to their more promising first-half xG of 1.62. The midfield, led by Caicedo and Fernández, seemed overwhelmed and unable to assert any authority over the game.

Speaking on his podcast, Neville expressed deep frustration over the performance of Chelsea’s midfield duo. He emphasized their failure to “grab the game by the scruff of the neck” despite being the club’s marquee signings. “I was expecting Chelsea to come out fast in the second half because I thought Maresca would give them a push at halftime for letting City back into the game,” Neville remarked. “But I didn’t see that response. The two midfielders are the players who cost the big bucks—you’ve got price tags and big reputations. Fantastic players should take control, but they didn’t.”

Neville acknowledged that both Caicedo and Fernández were brought in to strengthen Chelsea’s midfield, with expectations that they would dictate the tempo and create opportunities. However, against a formidable City side known for relentless high pressing and possession dominance, the pair appeared out of their depth, unable to wrest control from their opponents.

The former United star also highlighted Chelsea’s missed chance to recover after City’s equalizer. He noted that while the Blues had opportunities to regain their footing, their midfielders did not rise to the occasion. “I’m not trying to be overly critical because they’ve had a good season, but what I saw was frustrating,” Neville admitted. “They’ll look back on this and think, ‘We could have done more’—and that’s a terrible feeling. It could cost them Champions League football next season.”

Chelsea’s inability to maintain their promising start could indeed have long-term implications. Currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League, their aspirations for a top-four finish—and thus a place in next year’s Champions League—now hang by a thread. The absence of strong leadership from their expensive midfielders may continue to be a problem as they strive to rebuild and push forward.

Neville concluded by expressing disappointment over Chelsea’s failure to send a strong message to Manchester City. “This result could really cost them a Champions League spot,” he warned. “They needed to show City something, but they didn’t. And while I’m not a Chelsea fan, as a football fan, I’d be gutted to see my team perform like that.”

As Chelsea looks to regroup, questions linger over whether their big-money signings can deliver the consistent performances needed to re-establish the club among England’s elite and secure their place in European competitions.