Author: Soorya G
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that he hasn’t fully utilized Kalvin Phillips since the midfielder’s transfer from Leeds United. Phillips was transferred to Manchester City in the summer of 2022 for a fee of 45 million pounds. Despite this important transfer, the 27-year-old footballer started for only the fifth time in City’s first team. This happened in the English League Cup match against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
Guardiola, reflecting on Phillips’ time at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa, said:“Marcelo gave Kalvin the best Kalvin in his career“. Phillips, a hometown hero, came to prominence as an England international during his time under Bielsa, when Leeds were in the Championship. He played a key role in Leeds’ ninth-place finish on their return to the Premier League and also played for England in the Euro 2020 final.
Guardiola expressed his desire to have had a similar impact on Phillips, but acknowledged that his particular style of play sometimes clashed with City’s approach. “We have our own specific way of playing, and he sometimes struggles with some aspects, whereas his previous style at Leeds was perfect for him“, Guardiola explained.
Phillips’ lack of game time is all the more noticeable considering that two of his four previous starts came at the end of the previous season, when City had already secured their third Premier League title in a row.
With fellow midfielder Rodri suspended for three matches due to a red card, Phillips now has the opportunity to play a more important role under Guardiola, despite having turned down the chance to leave the club in the summer.
Regarding Phillips’ decision to stay, Guardiola said: “The club spoke to him because he didn’t have many minutes. He said ‘no, I want to stay’. We brought Kalvin here because of his quality. He’s open-minded, always wants to learn and wants to help. That’s what we want to try to do.”
Guardiola also revealed that City would be returning from Newcastle by bus due to travel problems, although this would normally be done by plane. The specific reasons for this change are still unclear, but Guardiola noted that the team would be arriving several hours later than usual for a series of away games. The environmental impact of Premier League teams’ domestic flights came under scrutiny last season, prompting some clubs to explore alternative travel options.