Rory Smith believes Pep Guardiola has treated Kalvin Phillips very strangely at Manchester City.
The Chief Football Correspondent for The New York Times shared his comments when speaking on BBC Sport’s Monday Night Club.
So, what was said about Pep Guardiola and Kalvin Phillips? Let’s take a look…
What was said about Kalvin Phillips and Pep Guardiola
Well, Smith believes the Spaniard has been “downright weird” in his treatment of the England international.
Speaking to Shay Given and Kelly Cates on the Monday Night Club, the Yorkshireman said: “I think his treatment of Kalvin Phillips is downright weird.
“I don’t think there’s any other way of describing it. I refuse to believe that Kalvin Phillips – who is an excellent footballer – could not have been used a bit by Manchester City. I don’t think he’s gone in there and forgotten how to control a football.”
Guardiola has often dodged the question when asked why the 28-year-old hardly plays.
The most anyone has got out of the 52-year-old was at the start of December, when he finally admitted that his tactical ideas do not always align with what Phillips can do.
Since arriving from Leeds in a £45m deal back in July 2022, the Manchester City No.4 has only made two Premier League starts, which is truly baffling when you consider Guardiola’s squad is not actually that large, albeit a star studded one.
Kalvin Phillips set to leave Manchester City
It seems as if the debate about Phillips at Manchester City will soon come to an end.
The Leeds-born maestro appeared to wave farewell to fans after scoring against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, and reports from Italy are claiming that he has agreed to join Juventus.
Calciomercato are one outlet reporting that story, with the reliable Fabrizio Romano since adding that Juventus remain in discussions with Manchester City over a deal.
Therefore, it would appear Phillips is heading through the Etihad Stadium exit door this January.
