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Published on 2024-02-13 12:00:00
Chris Sutton has criticized Kalvin Phillips for returning overweight to Manchester City after the Qatar World Cup. Phillips admitted that Pep Guardiola’s public comments about his weight negatively impacted his confidence.
The Manchester City loanee stated that his family was also upset by Guardiola’s revelation. Guardiola’s decision to publicly call out the 28-year-old divided opinion.
Some felt it was inappropriate, while others believed it was justified. Sutton firmly believes that Phillips was in the wrong and that being overweight was unprofessional and unforgivable.
During the “Daily Mail’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast, Sutton expressed his disapproval, stating, “If he’s overweight, he’s overweight. It’s unprofessional. It’s unforgivable, really, for a player to be overweight. You know, he signed a contract with Manchester City.”
Sutton also added that “Pep calling him out, he’s called him out for a reason. You’re a professional athlete. He’s being paid tens of thousands of pounds a week.”
Another possibility is that Guardiola’s public criticism of Phillips was meant to motivate him, as managers often use this tactic to light a fire under their players.
In the end, it did not seem to affect the harmony in the Manchester City camp as they went on to win the treble. However, the outcome at the Etihad Stadium did not end up being the most suitable way to get the best out of Phillips.
Other managers, like Jose Mourinho, have also been known to use public criticism as a motivational tool. In this context, if Guardiola was indeed frustrated with Phillips, Sutton sees no issue with it.
Perhaps Guardiola may have learned that a more suitable approach for a player like Phillips would have been to encourage and support him, instead of publicly criticizing him.
Ultimately, the incident did not disrupt the success of the team, but it raises questions about the appropriate approach to motivate players, especially those who may need more guidance and support.
Read Original article on Manchester City News
