Kalvin Phillips

I don't think it takes a genius to believe that Pep doesn't rate him. Pep's not about to hound him out by making him train with the EDS or leave him out of the squad. This is not a personality clash in the way that it was with Cancelo. So Pep is handling the situation in a way that is appropriate and professional - he's allowing Phillips to fulfil his obligations as a first-team squad member. But Pep is under no obligation to give him minutes. We are not a charity and we operate in a highly pressurised and competitive environment. I'd say we're managing it well - not humiliating him, but demonstrating in no uncertain terms that he is surplus to requirements. It has been alleged that Phillips isn't getting the message, but he will get no minutes against Seville, none against Newcastle, and none against Sheffield United. He will certainly get the message by the end of the month. You wouldn't be surprised if Gareth Southgate gets in touch with him before the end of the month and says "you need to get yourself some game time or you can forget next summer".
 
If signing Phillips was to keep Rodri on his toes, inspired. If signing Phillips was to keep Rodri on his backside, uninspired.
 
I really had hopes for Kalvin before pre-season kicked off, but for him not to get minutes even at the end of the Community Shield - when he had been warming up on the touchline for most of the second half - was a massive blow.

It’s clear something is very wrong somewhere, likely in the fact for whatever reason Pep just doesn’t trust him. At all. There’s a lot we don’t see behind the scenes but there are clearly things Pep and the coaching staff don’t like.

All of which is a shame as he’s actually a decent player and seems like a nice guy.

Let’s see what happens this week but if he can’t get any minutes in the next couple of games it’s looking all over to me.

FWIW I don’t think he helped himself by defending the fact he turned up overweight after the World Cup with the water retention and whatnot. Even if he genuinely thinks that, airing his thoughts like that publicly belittled Pep’s/the club’s own policy on weight management and would have done him no favours.
 
Blue Steel said:
I really had hopes for Kalvin before pre-season kicked off, but for him not to get minutes even at the end of the Community Shield - when he had been warming up on the touchline for most of the second half - was a massive blow.

It’s clear something is very wrong somewhere, likely in the fact for whatever reason Pep just doesn’t trust him. At all. There’s a lot we don’t see behind the scenes but there are clearly things Pep and the coaching staff don’t like.

All of which is a shame as he’s actually a decent player and seems like a nice guy.

Let’s see what happens this week but if he can’t get any minutes in the next couple of games it’s looking all over to me.

FWIW I don’t think he helped himself by defending the fact he turned up overweight after the World Cup with the water retention and whatnot. Even if he genuinely thinks that, airing his thoughts like that publicly belittled Pep’s/the club’s own policy on weight management and would have done him no favours.
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The guy honestly looks like he still can't believe he is at our club, and for me that's the issue.

He is talented, you don't have the career he has if your not, but I question his mentality, simply not at an elite level.
 
Keeper! said:
We all would and I am sure Rodri more than most would love Kalvin to give him the opportunity of a rest.
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And ultimately that is why we need to get rid,and look to someone who can actually do that job.

I cant believe the lad will be happy to sit on his 150k contract for the next 4 years,throwing his short career down the pan,when he can go elsewhere and still do very well.
 
FantasyIreland said:
And ultimately that is why we need to get rid,and look to someone who can actually do that job.

I cant believe the lad will be happy to sit on his 150k contract for the next 4 years,throwing his short career down the pan,when he can go elsewhere and still do very well.
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Agreed but he seems to be trying to convince himself he can make it with us with his media comments.

West Ham would be a great move for him and as you say I think he would do very well there.
 
We should be encouraging the lad from the stands.

"All you need is Kal"

.....
"Kal is all you need" (too many Kals in his case.)

Worked well with Jo.
 
We were cruising against Burnley, the kid still didn't come on and that should tell you all you need to know. I don't know if it's Pep's way to tell Kalvin he needs to do more, or that he isn't going to play. But i'd suggest there are (at least) 3 players in front of him in the 6 position (Rodri, Kova, Stones and maybe even Rico!) so maybe we should try and convince him about West Ham.
 
FantasyIreland said:
And ultimately that is why we need to get rid,and look to someone who can actually do that job.

I cant believe the lad will be happy to sit on his 150k contract for the next 4 years,throwing his short career down the pan,when he can go elsewhere and still do very well.
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It's the opposite to the Harry Kane problem. Kane had performed on the pitch but won fuck all, while Phillips has medals for everything but done fuck all to achieve them.

Needs to find somewhere where they are willing to put him on the pitch, he's not got that much of his career left.
 
Seems like a big night for Phillips on Wednesday.

No Kev or Bernado, Kovacic still bedding in and Paqueta as well as a winger seemingly on the way in, and presumably will be ahead of him in the queue for minutes once they arrive.

Will he get a run out against Seville? Not convinced he will to be honest.
 
Brewster's millions said:
Seems like a big night for Phillips on Wednesday.

No Kev or Bernado, Kovacic still bedding in and Paqueta as well as a winger seemingly on the way in, and presumably will be ahead of him in the queue for minutes once they arrive.

Will he get a run out against Seville? Not convinced he will to be honest.
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We could offer to swap him with Fernando if he dominates Phillips in Greece.

86 pages on his performance thread before he’s played a competitive minute!
 
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