Kevin De Bruyne hit out at football's authorities as he bemoaned inconsistencies in the game's laws and the lack of pre-season.
The Manchester City star cut a frustrated figure as his side lost 2-0 at Tottenham despite enjoying the majority of the play.
De Bruyne and co were unable to break down the host's defence however and were twice undone on the break.
City thought they'd equalised in the first-half when Aymeric Laporte smashed home, but Gabriel Jesus was penalised for handball in the build up.
Several players crowded Mike Dean at half-time to question the decision, but De Bruyne insists he can no longer keep up with the rule changes.
"I don’t know the rules any more, honestly. They change," he said at full-time.
"I’ve been playing professional football for 12 years and the first nine there was no rule changes.
"And the last few years there has been a lot. I don’t know why, football is such a nice game.
"But the guys who make the rules should be people in the game. Just so inconsistent."
City have now dropped 12 points this term and already it looks as if their title challenge hangs in the balance.
Pep Guardiola's side contended in Europe as well as doemstically last term meaning they finished later than most clubs.
As such the Belgian midfielder is not surprised by their indifferent start to the season.
"We had about seven days of pre-season," he added.
"So what do people expect of us? It’s the same for everybody, but sometimes we’re tired.”
City have only won three of their opening eight games but will hope for a reaction when they host Burnley next weekend.
