I don't believe for a minute that if Pep thought there was no chance he could do what's being asked of him he would keep him and not replaace him with somebody else. Pep has no invetment in anything other than the players he wants.In a position so important to the team, from a manager that knows that position better than anyone in football, to think he'd accept an inferior player just so the club doesn't look a bit silly is frankly ridiculous.
If Phillips stays and we don't replace him, we'll have to see, it's because Pep believes he can do a job.