Danny Mills has told TalkSPORT (Wednesday, 10.50AM) that he believes Leeds United and England star Kalvin Phillips would only be a squad player if he swapped Elland Road for Manchester City this summer.
Phillips, 26, has been earmarked as City’s long-term replacement for Fernandinho after the 37-year-old left on a free transfer. Leeds are expecting a bid from City, according to The Athletic, and Phillips would be tempted.
Now a 23-time England international, it is clear Pep Guardiola thinks Phillips could be the ideal man to come in and replace Fernandinho. But he has only ever played for Leeds, an City is certainly a step up.
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Mills, who played for both Leeds and Manchester City, thinks Phillips would only be a squad player at City and would struggle to start. He believes Phillips is in the top 13 or 14 at City, not the first 11.
“He doesn’t walk into their team. If he goes there and you pick your best 11, he doesn’t get into it – he would be in the top 13 or 14. Joining a club like Manchester City, where you must win every game, I think he would be a squad player.”
Mills: Leeds star Phillips would be a squad player at Manchester City
He is probably right. City do still have some excellent options in midfield. Guardiola likes to play with Rodri sitting as an anchoring midfielder, and the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva playing as two eights.
Phillips can do both roles, but he is some way off Rodri. He is also miles off the aforementioned trio as an 8, given he has only played defensive midfield since Leeds were promoted to the Premier League.
It would be a stunning move for Phillips – but he must consider the fact that he might struggle for game time. Indeed, with the World Cup coming around at the end of the year, might he lose his place in the side?
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