Kalvin Phillips may be set for new Man City role after confirmed news – pundit
Kalvin Phillips could offer Man City the solution to their injury problems at centre-back, according to Alan Hutton.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and Scotland defender admitted it was almost impossible to predict Pep Guardiola’s team selection.
As quoted by club media on Friday (26 August), Guardiola revealed both Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte are out injured.
John Stones and Ruben Dias started the 4-2 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday (27 August) with Phillips absent from the matchday squad.
The 26-year-old picked up a shoulder injury in the friendly victory over Barcelona in midweek.
The Manchester Evening News reported last week (25 August) that City are confident the injury is not serious.
Asked whether that could open the door for Phillips to make his full competitive debut for the club at the back, Hutton told Football Insider correspondent Charlotte Cohen: “Possibly.
“It’s very difficult to think what Pep is going to do. Whatever you think in your mind, it’s probably going to be the opposite.
“I know people have a nightmare trying to pick dream teams and all the rest of it because of Pep changing it constantly.
“I’m not sure what they are going to do but I’m sure he’ll have a plan. They have a strong squad, they’ll be able to deal without Ake for however long he’ll be out.”
Phillips moved to City from Leeds United this summer for £45million.
He struggled in his final season at his boyhood club with a shoulder injury that saw him miss over three months of action.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Man City are to bypass new legislation amid “Government pressure”.