In a candid revelation, Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has opened up about the difficulty he faced when he heard his manager, Pep Guardiola, publicly referring to him as “overweight” during last season. Guardiola had dropped Phillips for a Carabao Cup match against Liverpool in December 2022, citing his lack of fitness as the reason.
Prior to the game, Guardiola remarked, “He’s not injured. He arrived overweight. I don’t know [why]. He didn’t arrive in the condition to do training sessions and to play.”
Despite joining Manchester City from Leeds United for a hefty sum of £45 million in the previous summer, Phillips only started four games across all competitions in the 2022/23 season. In response to his manager’s comments, Phillips expressed that it was challenging for him to hear such remarks, but he remained determined to prove Guardiola wrong by working hard to improve his fitness.
“It was a little hard to take just because of how much it was blown out of proportion and the subsequent discussions it generated,” Phillips shared during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live. “In my opinion, I wasn’t overweight, but clearly the manager saw it differently. I took it as a motivation to get in the best shape possible.”
Phillips revealed that he was on the bench for the subsequent Leeds game and remained fit for all matches thereafter. He attributed the incident to a misunderstanding between himself and some staff members. He also hinted at further insights into the situation in his upcoming documentary, titled “Kalvin Phillips: The Road to City,” which will premiere on Amazon Prime on July 19.
Despite facing difficulties in securing a regular spot in the Manchester City starting lineup, there have been rumors suggesting that Phillips may seek more playing time elsewhere in the 2023/24 season. West Ham United has emerged as a potential destination, particularly following the departure of Declan Rice. However, the 27-year-old midfielder expressed his determination to become a more integral part of Guardiola’s squad.
“At Leeds, I was accustomed to playing every single game, knowing that I would likely be in the starting lineup,” Phillips shared. “Now the situation has changed, and I no longer have those expectations. However, if I don’t start, I will push myself to contribute more. While I would love to play more and be more involved in the team’s victories, I understand the challenges involved. I hope this season proves to be better for me in that regard.”
Recent reports have suggested that Jude Bellingham declined an offer from the new European champions, drawing inspiration from Erling Haaland’s career path. However, there is a possibility that Alphonso Davies could make a move to the Etihad Stadium. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in acquiring Bernardo Silva.
Manchester City is eager to break their transfer record by securing Josko Gvardiol for their defensive lineup, following the signing of Matteo Kovacic earlier in the summer.