Kalvin Phillips has struggled at Manchester City since his £45m move from Leeds United in June 2022.
The England international has only made two Premier League starts for the Citizens since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, as he struggles to dislodge Rodri from the starting XI.
Now – thanks to The Athletic – we have been given some insight about what Pep Guardiola and his coaches at Manchester City think Kalvin Phillips is particularly struggling with…
What’s the story?
Well, it is said that the Spaniard thinks his No.4 is finding it difficult to play the ball quickly in small spaces, especially when receiving passes from the goalkeeper, something that is described as a key trait for a Manchester City holding midfielder to possess.
The Athletic believe Guardiola and his coaching staff noticed this weakness from Phillips as early as pre-season in the summer of 2022.
Presumably, the 27-year-old has made little improvement on this issue, as he continues to be overlooked at Manchester City.
Kalvin Phillips is slipping behind at Manchester City
Guardiola signed Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes from Chelsea and Wolves respectively during the summer transfer window, both of whom have already appeared to leapfrog Phillips in the pecking order.
The latter has already made half the amount of Premier League starts Phillips has in total at Manchester City.
In regards to Kovacic, the Croatian has actually surpassed the £45m man’s tally of two starts in just a matter of weeks, with Guardiola naming him in the starting XI on three occasions in the Premier League so far.
That does not reflect well on Phillips whatsoever.
Therefore – after Rodri got himself banned for three games with his bizarre red card – it really is a pivotal time for the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ to show that he belongs at Manchester City.
If Phillips fails to deliver, then it could be curtains for him in January.
