Pundit Steve Nicol has slammed Pep Guardiola for his recent comments about Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
In his latest press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Luton Town, Guardiola apologised to Phillips for not playing him regularly, which he then explained by saying that he doesn’t visualise the Englishman in his ideal team.
This has since led to one pundit having his say on the matter and the way in which the City boss has assessed Phillips‘ current situation at the club.
Nicol slams Guardiola for Phillips comments
Speaking in a recent video on the ESPN FC YouTube channel, Nicol had this to say about Guardiola’s recent comments about Phillips.
He said: “I tell you what, that is not what you want to hear as a professional footballer. Can you imagine being in Kalvin Phillips’ shoes? Not just listening to that but the other night when two centre-backs play in the middle of the park instead of him. And then the manager in a sanctimonious tone ‘he’s a lovely guy, what a nice fella.’
“Roughly when we take ‘I couldn’t visualise,’ basically he’s saying he’s not good enough. And Kalvin Phillips is not 12 years old, Kalvin Phillips knows he doesn’t fancy him and that’s why he’s not playing, so don’t try and butter him up by saying he’s a really nice guy and he comes in every week and trains really hard and he’s a super professional, well done.
“He’s a grown man and he’s the guy sitting there talking about this is a business so don’t be saying sorry and all that rubbish. Don’t answer the question, ‘I decided my tactics and my team for the other night,’ the only person you should be talking to is Kalvin Phillips and what he should be saying is ‘Kalvin, you are a good guy and because of that we’re going to let you go in January, get yourself a club.’ That’s what he should do because that’s what he’s basically done.”
Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium back in the 2022 summer transfer window, the 27-year-old has only started five of the 29 games he has appeared in for the Citizens across all competitions.
Taking into account what Guardiola said about Phillips, it’s clear that the midfielder is not on the same level as some of the other players in the City squad in terms of suitability for how the Spaniard wants his team to play.
With the January transfer window around the corner, we feel that the best thing for all parties would be if Phillips can make a move away from City and join a side where he’d be able to play regularly and make sure his place in the England squad for the Euros isn’t in jeopardy.
