Gary Neville says he “regrets” making a critical remark about a Chelsea player, saying, “It’s a cheap shot.”
Gary Neville has recently expressed regret over his past comments regarding former Chelsea defender David Luiz and the club itself. He admitted that referring to Luiz as a “PlayStation player” in 2011, claiming he played like he was being controlled by a 10-year-old, was a cheap shot that crossed the line. Neville reflected on how the remark “stained” Luiz’s reputation and acknowledged it was a personal attack, which he now regrets.
Additionally, Neville mentioned his “billion-dollar bottle jobs” comment about Chelsea following their Carabao Cup final loss to Liverpool in February 2024. He conceded that this remark was harsh and damaging, as it unfairly labeled the entire team in a negative light. Although he briefly considered retracting it, Neville explained that the context of the loss and the team’s performance led him to make the comment.
Neville also spoke about his change in approach to criticism, noting that he no longer personalizes his remarks. Reflecting on his regret, he noted that, while some people still find the “PlayStation player” line clever, he doesn’t feel proud of it today. He emphasized that he doesn’t aim to cross personal boundaries in his commentary anymore.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have bounced back from their previous struggles, now sitting second in the Premier League under new manager Enzo Maresca. They are just two points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.