Michael Owen has told Premier League Productions that Manchester City man Kalvin Phillips must be “pulling his hair out” after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal – just over a year after his Leeds United exit.
Phillips has managed just 26 outings for Pep Guardiola’s side since an initial £42m was paid to Leeds for the 28-time England star’s services. It has not gone to plan and Phillips will be the first to admit that.
On Sunday, Phillips might have been eyeing up the chance to start – and, in a crucial Premier League encounter against Mikel Arteta’s Gunners. Rodri, suspended. But, Guardiola left him out of the side.
The Spanish tactician did not use him at all. Instead, playing Bernardo Silva in a deeper role with Rico Lewis – a youngster. Owen spared a penny for Phillips’ thoughts, saying he must be incredibly frustrated.
“You say he trusts his players, but he rarely trusts Kalvin Phillips, does he? You have got a ready-made sitting midfield player on the bench. Yet, you put Rico Lewis in front of him,” Owen said on PLP.
“You are even playing Bernardo Silva as a six, then the other central midfielder (Kovacic) gets a yellow card and he is on the threshold of a red and he still doesn’t bring you on. Must be pulling his hair out.”
Owen says Phillips must be pulling his hair out after Leeds exit
Sunday might have been the last straw for Phillips. Yes, there is understanding given to learning for a season under Guardiola. Even, when injured. Now, he should be making his breakthrough into the side.
January cannot come quick enough for the England star. He needs to find himself a new club where he is going to play regularly, in order to keep his England place with Euro 2024 looming. Time is up.
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