Manchester City want Kalvin Phillips to replace Fernandinho this summer and may have to pay Leeds United in excess of £50m for the 26-year-old, but Frank McAvennie doesn’t believe he’s good enough to play under Pep Guardiola.
Read Man City have made a similar a criticism recently, highlighting Phillips’ inferior pass completion and inferior ball-playing ability, but it does appear Guardiola has his heart set on the England international if reports are to be believed.
McAvennie thinks it’s a bad move. When asked if Phillips is good enough for City, he told Football Insider: “I don’t think so. It will be a different way of playing for Pep and for Phillips. Man City attack that much that it is rare the defence has to do any defending.
“Is he a Man City player? He is a good player, don’t get me wrong. But is he ready? I think he has an injury problem. If you are going to spend that much money on someone then you need more than 20 league games out of them. I think he would be better suited to signing for West Ham if Declan Rice leaves.
“If he goes to Man City he won’t get a game, then he will want to leave. There is no doubting the boy’s ability but I don’t see him as a Man City player.” Phillips is one of the best ball-winners in the Premier League, but he spent most of the season sidelined with injury, playing 20/38 league games.
City already have Rodri who’s expected to be first-choice in his position next season too, so it would be a strange move to pay £50m for a backup player. Guardiola wants to have cover in every position, but is there a better and more cost-effective option than Phillips?
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In other news, Man City should hijack deal for 25 y/o if Gundogan and Silva leave this summer
Speaking FRANKLY – Spherical objects McAvennie ! If Pep signs him even Mystic Meg would not predict or measure potential game time.