Kalvin Phillips has endured a difficult start to life at Manchester City, playing in one game from a possible six across the board due to stiff competition and injuries.
The 26-year-old came off the bench late in City’s 2-0 win over West Ham United and hasn’t featured since due to fitness woes and Rodri being a regular in his preferred role.
Phillips was an unused substitute in the 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on August 21, but he’s been absent ever since. And although the defensive-midfielder is recovering, he still isn’t ready for City’s next game.
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The Sky Blues travel to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday and Pep Guardiola revealed the England international won’t yet make his return. He said in Friday’s pre-match press conference: “Kalvin not yet but we’ll see in the last session.”
Vital Man City warned City over signing Phillips due to his injury woes in the last two seasons, let alone due to him having Rodri for competition, but his debut campaign is turning into a nightmare. He’s set to miss his third consecutive league outing and won’t have played in six of City’s seven games if he’s absent against Villa.
Even when Phillips has recovered from injury, he will be short of match fitness, so Rodri isn’t relinquishing his spot any time soon.
In other news, Man City player returns to face Aston Villa but may not start due to poor form