When he’s ready, he’ll play because we need him so much,” said the coach. It’s a personal discussion with Kalvin.
According to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, England star Kalvin Phillips returned from the 2022 World Cup “overweight and unfit to train.”
Surprisingly, Phillips was left off of City’s matchday squad for Thursday night’s Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool.
The central midfielder has played just 94 minutes of competitive football for Manchester City this season due to injuries.
Kalvin was not represented in the Citizens starting XI, as Kyle Walker, John Stones, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden were all picked as substitutes, and the latter three came off the bench in the 3-2 victory.
When questioned why the 27-year-old England international didn’t even make the bench for Thursday’s Carabao Cup match against Liverpool, City manager Guardiola initially dodged the question.
Guardiola only stated that the player wasn’t healthy enough to train after rejoining the City team.
When further questioned following Man City’s 3-2 victory over the Reds at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola insisted that Phillips had not sustained another injury.
He is not hurt, but he returned overweight, according to Guardiola. “I’m not sure” (why). He wasn’t ready to play or participate in training when he arrived.
That is why he is unable to play. When he is prepared, he will play because we really need him.
When asked if it disappointed him to see Phillips return in such bad shape, Guardiola responded, “It’s a private discussion with Kalvin.”
Representatives for the FA and Phillips, ICM Stellar Sports, declined to respond to Guardiola’s comments.
City resumes the season five points behind league leaders Arsenal as they attempt to capture their fifth league title in the last six years.
With a thrilling 3-2 League Cup victory over Liverpool on Thursday, they returned to winning ways following the World Cup break.
And with a match against Leeds United right after Christmas, the 27-year-old Phillips will once again be absent for second-placed City’s League action on Wednesday, much to the displeasure of his manager.