As Manchester City launch an unprecedented march towards the Premier League title, frustrating oppositions with unmatchable pace, power and dressing room speaker volume they have been showered with ample praise and kudos. However, it is not only Jose Mourinho who is unimpressed with their brand, Eamon Dunphy is also an adamant non-believer.
speaking to RTE 2FM’s Game On, Dunphy derided the notion City are a great Premier League side:
It’s way off the beam to say City are the best Premier League team of all-time. They are a long, long way away from being the best team we have seen in the Premier League.
The best United teams would have eaten this City team alive. They are not close at the moment, just look at the goals they have conceded.
Dunphy went on to state "I don't like to hyperbole, but this is the worst Premier League", two points you could certainly take umbrage with, before explaining that he prefers rugby to soccer.
You look rugby and it’s in a wonderful, golden age because kids are inspired by guys like (Brian) O’Driscoll, and people like that. They want to play - Joey Carbery, Johnny Sexton. It is fantastic. If I want to watch some sport at 5.30 on a Saturday, I’d watch a rugby match.
I mean, Ibrahimovic should be working in a car wash and they still talk about him as if he is one of the great players of all time. Even Pep Guardiola couldn’t make him a player when he had him for a season.
That is true, although it is more the case that Ibrahimovic didn't fit with Guardiola's philosophy than any definite lack of ability. Ibrahimovic struggled with a rotation policy and style that did not see him as the focal point of the attack. Guardiola's is a philosophy based on deep penetrating runs and movement, Ibrahimovic was more a 'fox in the box' striker.
Dunphy is adamant football is only a "street game" and this is the only means of development. To offer rugby as the alternative to this seems contradictory.
Regardless, he is always forthright in his views and at the very least stimulates debate.
You can listen to him in full here.
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