Agbonlahor: Kalvin Phillips ‘frustrated’ after ‘crazy’ Man City reveal
Kalvin Phillips will be “frustrated” by his role and situation at Man City, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed Phillips will only start 25 per cent of Man City’s games when fit.
The 26-year-old has only played 14 minutes of competitive football since moving to the Etihad from Leeds United in a £45million deal over the summer.
He was forced to pull out of the England squad as he is set to have surgery on a persistent shoulder injury.
As quoted by the Daily Mail earlier this week (18 September), Pep Guardiola admitted he was disappointed as he needed every player to deal with City’s “crazy schedule”.
Guardiola suggested Phillips should return to action before the World Cup in November.
“The biggest frustration that he’s going to have to handle is that when City pick their best side, he’s not going to be in it,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“75 per cent of the season, they are going to have to pick their best side and he’s not going to be a part of it.
“There will be rotation and he will get chances in the Premier League and the Champions League.
“But if City need to win a game in the Champions League he’s not starting, Rodri is. He’ll never play both of them.
“As much as it’s a good move that you can’t turn down, it must be frustrating to know that you’re game time is going to be severely damaged.
“It’s not really a position where teams rotate as much. It’s going to be hard for Phillips.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Man City could now “quietly dispose” of a controversial sponsorship deal.