Maybe that tells the story though? We were leading at Arsenal and Pep just wanted to shut up shop. How many sides will we do that against? If it is going to require that kind of situation then Philips has little chance here. I think we are more likely to see him playing the last 20 mins of a CL final, than we are starting a PL game.He brought him on against Arsenal but he can't bring him on against Forest or Liepzig?
Think he's had bad luck, the injury really harmed his ability to integrate with the team and midseason when points really tend to matter, is not the best time to integrate someone in. He'll have to wait for his opportunity next season.
How do you know?Not a chance he stays next year. Never in a million years is he our level. Worse signing than Rodwell.
There is never going to be a "proper backup".If Pep doesn't rate him he has to go this summer. We need a proper backup for Rodri who's being run into the ground.
I actually thought last night was perfect for him to be introduced.
So why sign him then?There is never going to be a "proper backup".
Every team that Pep has ever managed has had a player, usually the DM playing 60+ times a season. Busquets, Lahm and Alonso all come to mind.
Rodri would have to be carted off the field for Pep to consider Kalvin.
Probably the same reason we signed players like Mahrez, Ake, and Grealish for ridiculous amounts when we didn't actually need them.So why sign him then?
Well that, I don't know.So why sign him then?
"Rodri would have to be carted off the field for Pep to consider Kalvin."There is never going to be a "proper backup".
Every team that Pep has ever managed has had a player, usually the DM playing 60+ times a season. Busquets, Lahm and Alonso all come to mind.
Rodri would have to be carted off the field for Pep to consider Kalvin.
Have I missed something."Rodri would have to be carted off the field for Pep to consider Kalvin."
Disagree, Rodri is obviously first choice but in the last few seasons he is running on fumes in the run in, Phillips has been an utter disaster of a signing, and even now he is fit, Pep does not trust him.
I think even if Rodri was unfit , Phillips would not get the call.Have I missed something.
What are you disagreeing with?
My comment is saying Pep will keep running Rodri into the ground and it would literally take a severe injury for Pep to not play Rodri and instead pick Phillips?
I think Tommy Doyle is good enough to be back up nowI think even if Rodri was unfit , Phillips would not get the call.
Doesn’t matter. He’s earned the right to stockpile and pick whoever he likes.I’m beginning to question if Pep actually wanted Phillips, Alvarez and maybe even Haaland too.