Johnny Giles makes claim about Leeds star Kalvin Phillips, and a Manchester City move

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Johnny Giles has told Off The Ball that Pep Guardiola could improve Leeds star Kalvin Phillips from an attacking point of view, if he joins Manchester City. Phillips could replace Fernandinho at The Etihad.

Phillips, 26, has only ever played for Leeds but could choose to leave this summer, with City looking at a deal for the £60million-rated midfielder. Reports say Manchester City ‘appeals’ to Phillips this summer.

Prior to Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival at Elland Road, Phillips was a no.8. He even played as a 10 at times under Thomas Christiansen, during the 2017-18 campaign. He had a hand in 10 goals in 41 games that season.

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But Bielsa arrived in the summer of 2018 and immediately made him a no.4. It has seen Phillips go on to become one of Europe’s best holding midfielders, but Giles thinks Guardiola can improve his attacking side, at City.

“He could do a lot more with the ability that he has. I don’t think he has been asked to do it, his distribution is very good. I always get the impression that at Leeds he is a defensive midfield player,” Giles told OTB.

“There is not any more expected of him. At City, Guardiola will say ‘I expect more from you on the ball’. If I was his manager I’d say: ‘you have the ability, you have got to express yourself more, you have got to dominate more’.”

Giles: Guardiola could improve Leeds star Phillips at Manchester City

Fernandinho played as a four at Manchester City, establishing himself as one of City’s best-ever players. Big shoes to fill for Phillips, but if he is eyed as the Brazilian’s replacement, he will be required to play as a four.

Phillips does have it in his locker to be a bit more box-to-box. He did it for England at Euro 2020, with Declan Rice sitting in front of the defence. He has the physical capcity and fitness to do it, thanks to Bielsa.

But City have the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and more to do the attacking work from midfield. Phillips would just have to feed those players.