I remember a certain Bernardo Silva coming back crazy early from his summer holidays simply because we were so short of players.The two things that have changed my mind on him, from thinking "he could still make it" to "we need to cut out losses";
1. When he got back from the world cup, it wasn't the drama over the weight gain, but the fact he took the full week or two weeks all the players got afterwards. He'd been out for the first half of the season in a team that's hard to break into and the club had supported him in undergoing surgery to get him fit for the world cup - then he barely played, a few mins here and there. Then took a long break, that sure he was entitled to, but for someone who should be hungry to break into a team he really should have been doing everything he could, he should have wanted to be back sooner than the rest.
2. And this ties into the first one, he keeps going on about "all players perform better in their second season" and if you watch his documentary on Amazon his agent does too. The problem is, it clicks in the second season if you are playing, and if you haven't been then showing up and training hard isn't enough, you need to be doing extra. And I just get the impression from his documentary and his quotes that, lovely guy, but he thinks it will just click if he keeps doing what he is doing.
If it's a wage issue, send him on loan and pay the difference.
You like Phillips as a person or a footballer? Huge difference.I like Phillips. I want him to do well at City. I think we'd be foolish to exile him off a few hundred minutes of playing time.
Both. I do think there are areas where he needs to improve his game (mainly, his passing becomes sloppy when he loses concentration). But we've seen plenty of players go from 'not so good' to world beaters under Pep (Ake, Rodri, Foden, Stones etc). I think he has quite a good character. If you watch England's penalty shootout vs Italy, he's the first to run over and console Saka - I know it's a jump to say that makes him a great guy, but I do see signs of a leader there.You like Phillips as a person or a footballer? Huge difference.
Yep, Anyone could be a nice guy for 150k a week and the chance too win trophies.Anyone who has sympathy for a "nice guy" sat on his arse , grinning like a moron on 150k a week needs a serious look at themselves.
Complicated situation, as T points out.
He's not wanted, that much I believe. I think Pep's lost interest. He wants the nasty competitive edge to come through. If Pep can't get it from him, then it's time he went somewhere else.
Club can't be too nasty about it, or heavy handed. There's little point, and it could result in repercussions. And there's politics everywhere. He's under the CAA Stellar banner. CAA Base represent Lewis and Palmer *cough* and Eze *cough*.
Rudy's on a train to nowhere, halfway down the line.Maybe he trains like a MF, the 'Rudy' of the team and we jsut dont know lol.
Complicated situation, as T points out.
He's not wanted, that much I believe. I think Pep's lost interest. He wants the nasty competitive edge to come through. If Pep can't get it from him, then it's time he went somewhere else.
Club can't be too nasty about it, or heavy handed. There's little point, and it could result in repercussions. And there's politics everywhere. He's under the CAA Stellar banner. CAA Base represent Lewis and Palmer *cough* and Eze *cough*.
He could do worse than drop down to the EDS to get match fit and show Pep what he can do as the 6 in our set up.Both. I do think there are areas where he needs to improve his game (mainly, his passing becomes sloppy when he loses concentration). But we've seen plenty of players go from 'not so good' to world beaters under Pep (Ake, Rodri, Foden, Stones etc). I think he has quite a good character. If you watch England's penalty shootout vs Italy, he's the first to run over and console Saka - I know it's a jump to say that makes him a great guy, but I do see signs of a leader there.
I think there must be more behind the scenes that we don't know about, though. Pep does not trust him at all.
What do we have to lose? Millions in wages plus nosediving transfer value.Same situation as Zinchenko , was on his way out but wanted to fight for his place
let him have a go , it’s the decent thing to do
what do we have to lose
He won't move for half his pay unless we sweeten the deal.I’m not really sure as to why we’d be handing over half of his total compensation if he were to move.
Surely we’d only be liable, at the most, for the difference between his wages here and his new club. I’m not sure he’d be dropping shown to 75k per week if he were to go the dippers or another prem side.
Also, I take the point about how his move could have repercussions and unintended consequences re other players, but I would imagine his agents would want to stay on the right side of City as well. Would they really want to sour their relations with the top club in Europe because of one player whose biggest pay day is already behind him?
Phillips has hardly been a good advert for the agents involved and I would imagine they’ll be eager to move on from it all as well.
That would put him on less than 40k a week.He won't move for half his pay unless we sweeten the deal.
The man is owed 36: million over 5 yrars. He is not going to switch to a mid table club and make 10 million over the same period.
We all love an underdog. I see no reason why he has to go yet. Patiently wait and maybe he will surprise us all. I was harsh on him for a while because I was fully onboard with the signing. I don’t like the pack mentality, once that starts it suggests the criticism has went too far.I actually feel sorry for the guy, yeah he’s on a lot of money etc but these are his prime years, he should be playing week in and week out, loan or transfer with us paying some of the wages or maybe against the odds he makes it with City. He’s obviously popular with the other players, I hope he surprises us all and makes the grade.
Have you read this thread?We all love an underdog.