Manchester City have all but signed Kalvin Phillips after agreeing a 42m deal with Leeds United and Darren Bent has hailed the Premier League champions for grabbing themselves a bargain. He believes the 26-year-old is a steal at £42m as he’s one of the best ball-winners in the Premier League.
Bent said on talkSPORT: “£42million for Kalvin Phillips? It’s bonkers. For (him), it’s fantastic being a part of the best team around. He’s a top player. They’ve always had two holding midfielders, (so) Fernandinho leaving means they need someone else there.”
Rodri is a regular for Man City in the deep-lying midfield role, so he’s unlikely to relinquish his spot for Phillips. Read Man City questioned why Pep Guardiola would spend so much on a backup player, but the City boss must have a plan for the England international beyond bench duty and sporadic appearances.
Pundits have warned Phillips that he might not get a lot of playing time next season too while others told him to join a side lower down the Premier League table to ensure he’d get regular appearances, but the 26-year-old is excited to work with Guardiola and must have had some assurances over his role.
Bent added: “Kalvin Phillips (has) international aspirations (and) was key in England getting to the final of the Euros, so if he starts playing for this Man City team he could become a mainstay in the England team.”
City did need to replace Fernandinho, but they’ve brought in a player that would start for most clubs in the league, so Guardiola needs to find a way to keep him happy. Bent applauds the move, however.
In other news, Pep Guardiola ‘wants’ 22 y/o but deal ‘depends’ on Man City duo being sold