Pep Guardiola has shared some behind-the-scenes details on the conversation he had with Kalvin Phillips over a potential summer exit from Manchester City.
During the recent summer transfer window, it was reported that the Manchester club were willing to let the midfielder leave the club, just one year after signing him from Leeds United for a fee of £45m.
However, with the Englishman staying at the Etihad Stadium, the City boss has been discussing this particular situation and what the current state of affairs is concerning the 27-year-old and his place in the squad.
Guardiola shares Phillips chat
Speaking in his latest press conference ahead of today’ Premier League match against West Ham United, Guardiola had this to say about his chat with Phillips.
He said: “We talked with him and the club with the chance to maybe go on loan because he did not have a lot of minutes but he decided ‘no, I want to stay’.
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“He is more than welcome. As a good guy who accepts everything and stays, they are welcome. When we finish the transfer window, every player here is part of the family and are going to help.
“He can improve, because the dynamics he came from was completely the opposite. He stayed with us and the players we have the squad that are now injured, it is important that he is ready.”
Having started just four of the 21 games he appeared in last season, it’s easy to see why the club were apparently open to letting Phillips leave in the summer.
This season has seen the England international make just one appearance for the Citizens, which came during their previous Premier League match against Fulham, where he came on as a late substitute.
With that in mind, it seems as though Phillips could be set to be just as much of a fringe player this time around as he was last season.
Therefore, the pressure will be on him to do all he can to impress Guardiola whenever he is given the chance to play and hopefully earn himself a regular place in the team.