Pep Guardiola welcomes Kalvin Phillips back into the fold declaring the player ‘wants to change’

Kalvin Phillips appears to be back in Pep Guardiola’s good books and could play Chelsea in the FA Cup on Sunday, but he’s still received another warning about the professionalism to be expected at Manchester City after his £45m move. sterling in the summer.

Phillips had some time off after the World Cup final but returned to town “overweight and not in a condition to do training sessions and play”, according to Guardiola.

Phillips came on in the 1-0 win over Chelsea on Thursday and Guardiola says the midfielder has taken the fitness comments into account and is in line to start against Southampton in the Carabao Cup next week.

Pep Guardiola has brought Kalvin Phillips back into the fold with a series of substitute appearances and could feature in Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie against Chelsea.

“He wants to change,” Guardiola said. ‘Maybe it will be a good lesson for him in the future. A footballer has to be perfect for 12 months, perfect. Even on vacation, he has to be perfect.

‘You can enjoy yourself, you can do whatever you want but you have to be ready, because this level is very demanding. You have to play three games. [a week]you have to be in shape.

‘If you’re not in shape, then nothing. But, I said the last week, days, his level improved.

‘I dont know [if he starts] but surely, the Carabao Cup, he will play it. I had a feeling last week, he’s back, you know. I had a good feeling.

Inevitably, Phillips was the subject of ‘fat bitch’ chants from Chelsea fans when he walked in, but Guardiola played down the impact of that. “He has a sense of humour,” said the City manager. “It was fun for the Chelsea fans.”

The midfielder was left out against Liverpool in December for having returned overweight from the World Cup

Phillips has had a difficult start to his City career, initially failing to make the first team before picking up a shoulder injury that ruled him out for two months.

He returned in time to form part of Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, but made two substitute appearances for England in Qatar for us.

Guardiola insisted that he still has faith in his summer signing and that Phillips will eventually adjust to the levels that City demands of him.

Guardiola said: ‘Listen, Kalvin was injured for much of the season with Leeds last season. This is the truth. He arrived and then he couldn’t train, he struggled, he had surgery on his shoulder.

‘So every time, the training was out. He fought to go to the World Cup, he arrived but he didn’t play for a long time. In competition, you need rhythm and concepts. [of our play].

‘But I wasn’t there [for him] in the past for five or six years. But as quickly as possible, we need it. Rodri can’t play every minute. We need Kalvin, like we need all the players. We will try to fix it.

Phillips has had a rocky start at Manchester City after joining from Leeds

Meanwhile, Guardiola has praised John Stones, man of the match against Chelsea and one of England’s heroes in Qatar. “He played an incredible World Cup,” Guardiola said.

“Maybe it was my first or second signing when I arrived seven years ago. I know him pretty well. I know when he’s stable at home, here. [in his head]happy, then what a player!

“He’s had some ups and downs in the past, he’s had some injuries in the past, but I would say this is part of the process of realizing what he needs, he’s still young, to be consistent.”