Kalvin Phillips, prior to his move to Manchester City, used to be one of the hottest talents in the country. However, things have not gone his way, and he has failed to make it into the first team for Pep Guardiola. With the winter transfer window around the corner, it might be high time Kalvin Phillips weighs a move away from the Etihad.
Breaking into this generational Manchester City team of the 2020s, with so much depth in all positions, has got to be one of the most difficult tasks for a footballer. Pep Guardiola has come out to reiterate and apologize for not being able to accommodate Phillips in the team, without any fault of the England international.
Pep Guardiola apologizes to Kalvin Phillips
Ahead of their game against Luton Town on Sunday, Pep Guardiola has opened up about his management of Kalvin Phillips, and has apologized for how his time at City turned out to be.
🔵🏴 Guardiola: “I'm so sorry for Kalvin Phillips”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 8, 2023
“I ask for good personality and also good character and he’s perfect example…”.
“It’s just because I visualise something, I visualise the team and I struggle a little bit to see him. That’s all”. pic.twitter.com/uBA8qd1WCk
While praising Phillips for his good behavior, personality and mental character, Guardiola also acknowledged that he doesn’t see Phillips playing in his system and how he visualizes the structure around the team.
Guardiola, talking during the pre-match press conference, stated, “I don’t know what will happen to Kalvin Phillips. He has good character, I’m so sorry I have not picked him. I visualize my team and select a team and I struggle to see him”.
He further added, “He doesn’t deserve what has happened to him and I’m so sorry. The only thing I can say about him is I am asking for good personalities and characters and he is a perfect example. And after that I have to give him something and I didn’t do that.”
Kalvin Phillips reduced to benchwarmer under Pep Guardiola
When Kalvin Phillips joined Manchester City from Leeds for around a £45m fee, he was seen to be a regular first team player along with Rodri. However, since his arrival in the Etihad, he has only featured in 29 matches across a season and a half, marking the transfer as a complete failure.
Pep Guardiola has started Phillips in the Premier League just once this season, and the 28-year-old has registered only 89 minutes of playing time across four matches.
Kalvin Phillips heat map since joining Manchester city pic.twitter.com/cZLpcijdzU
— cfcnazical🇧🇷👑 (@cfcnazical) December 8, 2023
With his latest remarks on Phillips, Guardiola has hinted that it is time Phillips thinks about his future, and considers a move away for more playing time. Phillips was close to joining Bayern Munich, Guardiola’s former suitors, in the summer transfer window, and should not have issues with regards to finding a team.
Where do you think Kalvin Phillips takes a transfer this January? Let us know your vision for the player.
