Man City boss Pep Guardiola REFUSES to confirm that out-of-favour midfielder is in his plans for next season
PEP GUARDIOLA can give no assurances to Kalvin Phillips over his future at Manchester City.
The England ace has yet to start a Premier League game for the leaders, who face his former club Leeds this afternoon.
GettyKalvin Phillips has struggled to impress since his move from Leeds[/caption]
GettyPep Guardiola has refused to confirm that the ace is part of his plans for next season[/caption]
Since his £42million summer move, the 27-year-old midfielder has struggled with fitness and form, meaning he has been unable to dislodge the outstanding Rodri.
Guardiola says he will listen to any player who is concerned about their lack of minutes — but not while his team are chasing the Treble.
The City chief said: “Right now we are not thinking for one second about next season.
“Kalvin has been, for many things, important in the role but he’s not been on the pitch much.
“In some things he needs to adapt a little bit more. But what happens next season, I am not concerned about for one second now.
“We will see at the end of the season. But right now I am not going to discuss anything.”
The fact Arsenal set such an incredible pace in the opening months of the season has meant City spent much of it trying to keep up with them.
And that meant keeping faith with Rodri rather than risking Phillips.
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Guardiola added: “That role is so, so important.
“I always had the feeling Rodri knows exactly what to do.
“It’s a question of tactics and movements.”
