Premier League giants Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has recently admitted defeat in getting the full potential out of one of his players. The 52-year-old manager hinted towards his disappointment in not being able to fit his midfield signing from Leeds United into his current playing style.
Pep Guardiola talked about Manchester City’s player Kalvin Phillips. Kalvin earlier used to play for Leeds United. City’s manager said, “Marcelo Bielsa (former Leeds manager) gave Kalvin the best of Kalvin in his career, I’d love to have done with Kalvin what Marcelo has done with him”. He further stated that City has their preferred style of playing while hinting towards Kalvin’s inability to adapt to his system sometimes.
Pep Guardiola has admitted he has failed to get the best out of Kalvin Phillips 😳 pic.twitter.com/5hvwoStAfv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 27, 2023
Guardiola also stated that the way Leeds played was more suited to Kalvin Phillips. The 52-year-old manager was of the opinion that the midfielder has had very little playing time since he joined the club. This is the reason Manchester City‘s hierarchy has also spoken to the player. However, the 27-year-old athlete stated that he didn’t want to leave.
At last, the manager praised his player and lauded him for his openness, standard, and willingness to learn. Manchester City fans would know that sooner or later Kalvin Phillips would hit his stride at the club. They know their manager is perfectly capable of bringing the best out of the player again in the Premier League. Even though, till now, it hasn’t happened.
Kalvin joined Manchester City in July 2022. His current contract with the club is a lengthy one, running until June 2028. So far, he has made 25 appearances for the club. He hasn’t had any goals or assists for the club until now.
Why Leeds United’s playing style under Marcelo Bielsa suited Kalvin Phillips more than his stint under Pep Guardiola
Kalvin Phillips was one of the most important players for Leeds United. Even during their journey back to the Premier League, they relied heavily on his midfield presence. The 27-year-old has played a total of 234 matches for the Yorkshire-based club. In addition to his solid midfield contributions, he has 14 goals and 13 assists for the club.
During his time at Leeds United, manager Marcelo Bielsa played him more as a defensive midfielder. The player was given the role of being in front of the defense. His role was to be the main link between the defense and the attack. However, when the team pressed, he often found himself as an attacking midfielder. This settled approach of Bielsa suited Kalvin leaps and bounds.
The midfielder prospered under Bielsa’s way of playing both in the Championship and in the Premier League. However, Pep’s Manchester City does play differently than Leeds. Also, Kalvin has struggled to break into the first team. City’s manager has his midfielders playing in the opponents’ half most of the time.
He places them in the attacking areas more and thus takes away Phillip’s natural playing pattern, which he was used to at Leeds United.