Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips has said that he views Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake as his inspirations.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 27-year-old reflected on how it is crunch time for him at City as he could potentially step into the side to replace the suspended Rodri.
Now, Kalvin Phillips has said that he looks up to the likes of Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake.
Kalvin Phillips names Jack Grealish & Nathan Ake as his inspirations
The pair notably struggled during their first season at the Etihad Stadium, especially Jack Grealish, who was written off by the masses as a flop.
The Dutchman was extremely injury-prone in his debut campaign and a mere rotation player in the following term but last season, he was a staple in his side’s backline that won the treble, with Jamie Carragher branding him as ‘almost perfect.’
Now, Kalvin Phillips has said that the way in which both Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake have redeemed themselves at Manchester City has inspired him.
“I’ve always seen Jack [Grealish] and Nathan [Ake] as inspiration, that the second season is always better. It’s not gone that way yet but I work hard and stay upbeat, which is very difficult but there are a lot of great players who can help me get better.”
Kalvin Phillips should be encouraged by their redemption arcs
Kalvin Phillips is certainly inspired by the right figures in Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake, who many believed would not make the grade at Manchester City.
Many believed Grealish was not fit to be a Guardiola player due to not being handed the freedom he was on the pitch at Aston Villa.
As for Ake, the general consensus was that he was not at the level to play for the Sky Blues.
However, the pair have managed to silence their doubters and if Phillips returns to his brilliant best, he could compete with Rodri for a first-team spot and do the same too.
Considering names like Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez also struggled in their debut seasons at the Etihad Stadium, Kalvin Phillips should back himself to come good as well.
