Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Kalvin Phillips and will pay Leeds United £42m for the 26-year-old, but a lot are questioning where he’ll play next season given Rodri is first-choice in his preferred role.
Vital Man City have criticised the decision to sign Phillips as he doesn’t embody the typical Pep Guardiola player nor fills a void in the squad, so City are paying a lot of money for a midfielder that won’t command a starting place next season.
The England international, who is undoubtedly a brilliant ball-winner, is coming off the back of a disappointing season. Phillips endured an injury-laden final campaign at Leeds and struggled for games, so City aren’t getting a player in the best condititon.
Dietmar Hamann doesn’t believe his injury woes are a problem, but he doesn’t know where the 26-year-old will play either. He told Genting Casino: “Kalvin Phillips’ injury history doesn’t make him a risky signing for Pep and Man City.
“(But) when everyone is fit, I’m not sure where he’ll play or if he’ll get a game. Ilkay Gundogan couldn’t get into the team towards the end of last season. (And) in Rodri, Man City have the best holding midfielder in the Premier League, (so) I don’t know where Phillips fits.”
Rodri joined City on a five-year deal from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has gone on to make 151 appearances in all competitions, scoring 13 goals with nine assists.
The Spanish international, who has represented his country on 33 occassions, made 46 appearances across the board for City this season, scoring seven goals with two assists, so he’s been a reliable player for Guardiola.
And with Rodri starting 33 of 38 Premier League games in 2021/22, Phillips has a tough task to dethrone him.
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