Pep Guardiola hails Kalvin Phillips display in Man City’s FA Cup win at Bristol City
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Pep Guardiola praises Kalvin Phillips after the midfielder impressed in Man City’s three-goal win at Bristol City… and insists we’ll ‘need him’ in the trade finale to the season despite a lack of ‘pace’ ‘ after injury nightmare
- Phillips has only appeared 11 times in his debut campaign for City due to injury
- But Guardiola was delighted with his performance in the FA Cup win at Bristol.
- The town boss is sure he can trust Phillips in the business finale of the season.
Pep Guardiola praised Kalvin Phillips after Manchester City’s win at Bristol City on Tuesday night, despite admitting the midfielder still needs ‘rhythm’ following his return from injury.
Phillips impressed for City as they reached the FA Cup quarter-final, using a Phil Foden brace and Kevin de Bruyne goal to wrap up a comfortable 3–0 win at Bristol.
It was a big step forward for the £45m England international, whose debut season at the Etihad has been marred by injury problems, with Guardiola insisting he “played more than well” at Ashton Gate.
Despite only appearing 11 times this term, the town boss is adamant he can trust Phillips as they head into the business end of the campaign.
‘It’s not easy when you don’t play much. Playing well in these types of matches is not easy, but he played more than well,” Guardiola said.
Pep Guardiola praised Kalvin Phillips after Manchester City’s win at Bristol City
Phillips impressed City as they reached the FA Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night
Guardiola is convinced that he can trust the midfielder in the commercial end of the campaign.
Of course he needs rhythm, but it was important to give Rodri time. We need him and we can trust him and we will need him. That’s the most important thing.’
Another player to return to the fold and impress City on Tuesday night was Phillips’ English star Phil Foden, who has often been forced to settle for a place on the bench of late.
However, after returning to the team, Foden showed what Guardiola was missing by finding the back of the net twice against Bristol in a masterful performance.
“I said last week that we have no doubts about Phil,” Guardiola said. ‘Phil’s impact since he arrived has been amazing. He has been amazing, getting better and better.
He’s had a little trouble with his ankle, but he’s not complaining. He wants to train, he wants to play, play with problems.
But it’s not about the goal he scored in the last game (in Bournemouth), nor about the two goals he scored today. It’s about how aggressive he is and how he does things.
He’s done it again, his work ethic, the way he trained. Every single action is 100 percent and will pay off in the end.’