Leeds United employee shares verdict on Man City benching Kalvin Phillips after confirmed news
Noel Whelan has insisted Kalvin Phillips won’t be expecting to play every week after completing a big-money move to Man City.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Pep Guardiola’s fondness of rotation and squad management is key to their recent success in the Premier League.
Man City confirmed the signing of Phillips, 26, on Monday (4 July) – with the England international putting pen to paper on a six-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.
Football Insider revealed last month (25 June) that Phillips, who will take the number four shirt at City, will cost a basic fee of £42million, rising to £45million after add-ons.
The Leeds United academy product comes in just days after the Citizens’ midfield icon Fernandinho departed to Brazillian club Atletico Paranaense.
Whelan insisted Phillips “won’t look out of place” despite stepping up from the Whites to one of England’s elite clubs.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “When you sign for Man City, you know you likely won’t be playing every week.
“It’s a rotational club. They’ve doubled up with quality across every position, every base.
“He’ll get his game time. The thought of having Rodri and Kalvin in that midfield area is formidable.
“When you go to a club like City, you’re fighting for your place no matter who you are.
“The rotation used by Pep keeps every player fit and fresh, and that’s why they are such a hard team to knock off their perch.
“They’ve got quality in abundance. Kalvin won’t be going in thinking he will start 50 games a season.
“He knows he will get game time – and when he steps in, he won’t look out of place.”
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