Fans claim Anthony Elanga called Man City's Josko Gvardiol a 'dead player' in latest video

Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga labelled Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol a “dead player”, fans have claimed on social media.

Gvardiol joined City for £77million from RB Leipzig in the summer, having been widely regarded among the world’s most talented young defenders.

However, in his 25 appearances so far this term, 15 of them have come in an unfamiliar left-back position.

Amid struggling to consistently perform at his best, the Croatian appears to have been mocked by a rival Premier League star.

Elanga, who joined Nottingham Forest this summer from City rivals, Manchester United, was spotted criticising Gvardiol’s football ability during a TikTok.

While taking part in a blind ranking of footballers throughout history for a video on Nottingham Forest’s TikTok, Gvardiol appeared among the players Elanga had to position between first (the best) and tenth (the worst).

Without skipping a beat, Elanga ranked Gvardiol in tenth, while some fans on social media believe he also muttered the words “dead player”. Others have argued he merely says: “Tenth place.”

One person on X said: “Elanga just called Gvardiol a dead player?”

Another United fan added: “Once a red, always a red. I miss him man.”

A third said: “Y’all confusing what he said. He said “10th player” and Gvardiol appeared on the number 10.”

Gvardiol has operated at left-back this season (Getty)

While Gvardiol has received scrutiny this term, City boss Pep Guardiola insisted in November that the 22-year-old had “settled perfectly” since his summer move.

The Spaniard said: “He has settled perfectly.

“We knew he was an incredible person. That is what I look for first. He can play centre-back, We decided to play him in a back four and play at full-back offensively and defensively.

"He has experience already. He has played in the World Cup and the European Cup.

“Leipzig played to win and he won two Pokals (German Cups) there. He is a regular for Croatia. He has a lot of experience for a 21-year-old.

“He is incredibly open-minded to see what we want to do. At every training session, he is an incredible professional.

“(We are) Really pleased.”

Topics: Anthony Elanga, Josko Gvardiol, Manchester City, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Premier League, Fan Reactions

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.