Kalvin Phillips has just been ‘slaughtered by Man City’ – ‘this will define him’, says pundit
Frank McAvennie has claimed it is “make or break” for Kalvin Phillips at Man City.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker suggested Pep Guardiola may be trying to spur on Phillips and encourage him to play better.
As quoted by Sky Sports (25 December), the Cityzens boss claimed the 27-year-old returned from the World Cup “overweight” and “not in the right condition to train”.
The midfielder was an unused substitute in the Sky Blues’ 3-1 win over Leeds United on Monday (26 December).
The England international has made four appearances for Guardiola’s side since his arrival in the summer.
Phillips signed a six year deal at the Etihad after leaving Leeds.
When asked if Phillips will be thinking about quitting City, McAvennie told Football Insider: “Of course he will.
“He has gone there to play with one of the best managers in the world and he has just slaughtered him. This is going to make or break him.
“I could understand people when I played coming back overweight, but not in today’s game. Coming back from a World Cup where you are training every day, it is strange.
“It might be Pep using it to try and spur him on. They can do with a player like him when he is on form. He was an England stalwart and now Bellingham has replaced him. This is going to define his future what he does now.“
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