Agbonlahor issues Kalvin Phillips exit verdict as Man City flop cited – ‘it’s frustrating’
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Man City “don’t need” Kalvin Phillips and insisted he can’t see a way past Rodri in the starting line-up.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, compared the 27-year-old to Jack Rodwell – who left City in 2014 after making just 10 league starts.
As quoted by Sky Sports (25 December), Man City boss Pep Guardiola revealed Phillips returned from the World Cup “overweight” and “not in the right condition to train”.
The midfielder was named on the bench for Man City’s 3-1 win over his former club Leeds United on Wednesday (28 December) but failed to make an appearance.
Phillips has played 53 minutes of football since joining the Premier League champions and just 40 minutes for England at the World Cup in Qatar.
The 25-cap star cost City a reported £45million in the summer and signed a six-year deal at the Etihad.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Rodri is so good in that position that they don’t need Kalvin Phillips.
“He needs to be starting games, but how much football will he play?
“Pep isn’t one to change his midfield around too often, and that could be something that Phillips looks at in the future.
“I remember when Jack Rodwell moved to City, he didn’t play much and ended up moving on.
“It’s going to be a frustrating season for Kalvin Phillips, and possibly moving on might be something he considers in the summer.”
In other news, pundit can’t believe Man City’s Ruben Dias “blow” as new details of injury revealed.