4 | Kalvin Phillips - 2022/23 Performances

[Trojan1962]

Can’t give him another season. If he had any chance of making it here he would have played more. It’s a bad buy we don’t often get it wrong.

 

[grim up north]

Can’t give him another season. If he had any chance of making it here he would have played more. It’s a bad buy we don’t often get it wrong.

Why

 

[mattcity5]

The only other player I can think of who is good in that position is Gundogan, and he's not getting any younger and could be on his way in the summer.

Other than that, at a pinch maybe Stones could do it?

Or - and I'm only half joking here - stick Ortega in nets and play Ederson at defensive midfield. That would be peak Guardiola tactics.

Most of the time we're playing two DMs at the moment, with Rodri and Stones probably the top option anyway. Other than that, Gundo can go there and so can Lewis.

I doubt Pep would want to pair Lewis with Stones, but you never know. However the problems start now if we get another defensive injury, because then Stones probably has to slot back in to the backline. Fairly similar issue if Rodri gets injured - the result is Gundo dropping deeper with Stones. Would probably mean a chance for Mahrez, Foden or Alvarez to start as a result.

Two or 3 injuries and it's a formation change.

4 or 5 injuries and Phillips might get 5 minutes off the bench even...

 

[Trojan1962]

Why

To sit on the bench and take a squad place up.
Do you think the manager thinks he’s good enough then?

 

[grim up north]

To sit on the bench and take a squad place up.
Do you think the manager thinks he’s good enough then?

I have no idea what Pep thinks but what I have observed since Pep has been here is that the so called experts on blue moon have written of the majority of signings we have made only to eat large amounts of humble pie the following season

 

[Trojan1962]

I have no idea what Pep thinks but what I have observed since Pep has been here is that the so called experts on blue moon have written of the majority of signings we have made only to eat large amounts of humble pie the following season

So based on the evidence thus far Phillips hasn’t had hardly any game time and when Rodri didn’t play he used Gundogan in that position before Phillips. I think we can say we have a very good idea of what he thinks of Phillips.

 

[grim up north]

So based on the evidence thus far Phillips hasn’t had hardly any game time and when Rodri didn’t play he used Gundogan in that position before Phillips. I think we can say we have a very good idea of what he thinks of Phillips.

If you say so

 

[Trojan1962]

If you say so

It’s only my opinion which you obviously disagree with which I fully accept.

 

[Cityfan]

Although, it's worth mentioning that Nathan Ake only managed 993 minutes across 13 apps in his first season. So far this season Kalvin Phillips has managed 405 minutes across 17 apps - which is obviously only half as much but if Kalvin can eventually become half the player Nathan has for City then that'll be just fine for his role in the squad.

Ake was also injured an awful lot.
He was also up against two three other central defenders for two spots. We tend to play three in midfield with four other midfielders (excluding Perrone). Midfielders do a lot more running and need more rest than central defenders and yet despite this Guardiola has barely played him when the match has been even vaguely important including against weak teams.

I've nothing against Phillips and hope I'm wrong and he comes good but I really don't see a future for him here. Even players with indifferent starts have played a lot more than he has.

 

[Keeper!]

Ake was also injured an awful lot.
He was also up against two three other central defenders for two spots. We tend to play three in midfield with four other midfielders (excluding Perrone). Midfielders do a lot more running and need more rest than central defenders and yet despite this Guardiola has barely played him when the match has been even vaguely important including against weak teams.

I've nothing against Phillips and hope I'm wrong and he comes good but I really don't see a future for him here. Even players with indifferent starts have played a lot more than he has.

Game time and almost zero contribution are the major difference to Phillips and other players that initially struggled under Pep.

Grealish struggled for a season but he still contributed and played many games if underwhelming.

Phillips is getting no game time despite a hectic schedule and players like Rodri and Gundo clearly tired.

When your not in the starting line up against a championship side (SUFC Fa Cup) you know you have no future at this club.