Behind-the-scenes details emerge on what Pep Guardiola first noticed about Kalvin Phillips at Man City 

Redaction Simon Brett with James Thompson
Published on 2024-01-26 16:30:00

Kalvin Phillips, the midfielder who recently completed a loan move to West Ham United, has encountered some difficulty establishing himself as a regular starter at Manchester City. Phillips has struggled to find playing time with Pep Guardiola’s squad, which has prompted some to question the reasons behind his lack of success at City.

Reports have emerged from The Athletic that provide behind-the-scenes insight into this matter. According to the report, Guardiola and his staff expressed concerns about Phillips’ ability to adapt to City’s holding-midfielder role during preseason training. They observed that the 27-year-old seemed to struggle with the intricacies of the position, which led them to believe that a younger player, namely Romeo Lavia, who was subsequently sold to Southampton before moving to Chelsea in a £58m deal, would have been a more natural fit.

City had acquired Phillips from Leeds United for £45m in the 2022 summer transfer window and had high hopes for his potential impact on the team. However, Phillips only managed 31 appearances as a City player, starting in just six games. His inability to secure a more prominent role within the team raises questions about City’s decision to sign him in the first place.

The circumstances surrounding Phillips’ lack of success at City indicate that the club’s initial evaluation of his fit within the team was inaccurate. Therefore, it is reasonable to question why City opted to sign Phillips instead of retaining Lavia. These revelations provide insight into the complex dynamics involved in player evaluation and decision-making in competitive football environments. As Phillips embarks on his loan spell at West Ham, he will be looking to prove himself and establish a more prominent role with his new club.

Read Original article on Manchester City News