Kalvin Phillips wants to be ‘UNDROPPABLE’ next season after an injury-plagued first season in Manchester… as City midfielder reveals he found it difficult to absorb all the information Pep Guardiola is firing at him
- Kalvin Phillips says he is determined to secure a place in Man City’s starting eleven
- It has been a tough first season for the midfielder whose playing time is limited
- Phillips said he ‘found it difficult to absorb all the information that Pep Guardiola gives him’
Kalvin Phillips says he is determined to become ‘undroppable’ next season after a rocky start to his Manchester City career.
A shoulder injury caused an early setback in his City career and after the World Cup he found it largely impossible to take over central midfield from Rodri, who has been imperious in the position this season.
Speculation over whether he will stay at the club is mounting, with Guardiola telling Phillips to show him he deserves to stay at Man City.
But the defensive midfielder will hope to bounce back next season and make his name appear more regularly in the Spaniard’s starting line-up.
Kalvin Phillips says he is determined to become a ‘not to be dropped’ name in Man City midfield
The 27-year-old (left) also claimed he had found it ‘difficult’ to absorb all the information Pep Guardiola (right) has given him this season.
After an injury-plagued start at Man City, Phillips has struggled to secure regular playing time
“I came here to win trophies and play football,” he said BBC radio Manchester. “I haven’t done as much as I’d like this season.
“Next pre-season I will try to come back as fit as possible and hopefully I can be comparable to people like Rodri and Gundogan, who are very important for the team and not to be dropped.”
Rodri has provided the rhythm in City’s title-winning midfield this season, while Gundogan was arguably the best value Guardiola has made during his time at the club, thanks to his leadership, creativity and agility in the club’s midfield.
Given the talents of those two players, it will be difficult for anyone to break into the first team.
Phillips, meanwhile, had been a vital cog in Leeds’ midfield in the seasons before moving to Man City, scoring 14 goals in 234 appearances for the Yorkshire side.
But it seems he has found it difficult to get back into his rhythm at City, with Guardiola claiming Phillips has struggled to adapt to his side’s system since joining from Leeds.
Phillips, who has played 26 caps for England, admitted that although it took him longer than usual to adapt to his new club’s style of play, he still learned a lot playing alongside these world-class midfielders.
He added: “I adapted, longer than usual because of my injuries. To learn from them [Gundogan and Rodri] every day. Still, we have young players right behind me. I look forward to spending at least another five years here.’
City completed the first leg of their bid to win the treble this season last weekend as they clinched their third successive Premier League title and Phillips said he was hungry to win the title again and again after enjoying the festivities from last week.
Phillips (left) praised his manager Guardiola (right) while also saying ‘it’s hard to read him’
With the brilliant form of Rodri (left), he has struggled to break into the City line-up this season
And the midfielder praised his manager, claiming he was ‘incredible’, while suggesting he had found it difficult to absorb all the knowledge the master tactician has instilled in him this season.
‘It’s hard to read it [Guardiola],’ he said. “One day he might give you the day off and the next day he might say, ‘No, you’re in until the next game.’
‘He’s incredible. If he can do this treble, he’ll be a very, very happy man. I just hope it happens for him and his legacy. Winning the Champions League with this club would be great.
“It’s hard to take it all in, there’s so much information. That has been one of my difficulties. I try to absorb the information he gives me.