Jamie O’Hara has claimed that Kalvin Phillips needs to leave Manchester City immediately – but wouldn’t get into the starting XI at Tottenham.
The 37-year-old made the comment when speaking on talkSPORT.
So, what was said about Kalvin Phillips? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, O’Hara claimed that the England international is “getting absolutely pied” off at Manchester City by Pep Guardiola after an embarrassing week for the 27-year-old.
Phillips sensed an opportunity at the Etihad Stadium after Rodri picked up a three-game ban following a straight red card in the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
However, Guardiola opted to play Mateo Kovacic ahead of the £45m man in the 2-1 defeat to Wolves, before selecting 18-year-old Rico Lewis instead for the 1-0 loss to Arsenal.
Now, O’Hara has called on Phillips to take matters into his own hands.
He said: “He is getting absolutely pied, isn’t he? He has got to go. If you are getting left out for an 18-year-old, and a winger, then a centre-half comes on in midfield in front of you as well, then you might as well pack yourself off.
“You aren’t going to play. If I am him then I am knocking on the door and say ‘Pep, just pay me up.’
“Where does he go? What football club would take him? He doesn’t get into Tottenham’s team. What team does he get in? He has to start. If he is leaving Man City, then he has to play week in and week out.”
Kalvin Phillips would surely start if he left Manchester City for Everton
According to iNews, Everton and Newcastle are keen to sign Phillips, and he would undoubtedly start under Sean Dyche at Goodison Park, to answer O’Hara’s question.
Newcastle – however – may not be the best destination, as Eddie Howe already has a number of solid midfielders such as Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton.
Whatever happens, it feels as if Guardiola has made his thoughts on Phillips crystal clear over the past week – the trust is simply not there from the Spaniard.
