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Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that Manchester City may have to find a substitute for Kalvin Phillips in January if the English midfielder departs.
28-year-old Phillips is set to depart from the Etihad in the coming month, as he looks for more consistent playing time. Despite his £42 million transfer from Leeds 18 months ago, he has been unable to secure a spot in Guardiola’s team.
Guardiola stated that he is not currently considering the January market. However, if he faced a shortage of players in midfield, particularly with the absence of regular enforcer Rodri due to injury or suspension, he may have to reconsider his stance.
“I currently do not have any specific thoughts,” stated Guardiola. “It is contingent upon whether or not certain players depart. Some players will remain, while others may leave. The composition of the team and the capabilities of young players will play a role in determining who we can count on in critical moments.”
Last week, Guardiola seemed to confirm that Phillips would not be able to improve the situation at City. He stated, “When I imagine the team, I find it difficult to see him (being a part of it).”
Numerous teams have been rumored to be interested in acquiring the Yorkshireman during the month of January.
When questioned about the potential impact of Phillips’ situation on City, Guardiola responded that the player is currently with their team and it’s best not to make any assumptions. The details of his situation are well-known.
The possibility of this occurrence will determine our discussion. The market in January poses challenges… However, we still have important objectives to pursue before making a decision.
City will make their first-ever appearance in the Club World Cup next week, following their triumphant season last year where they achieved a treble.
The team is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia after their match against Crystal Palace on Saturday. Both Erling Haaland and the injured Kevin De Bruyne are expected to join the trip, regardless of their fitness to play.
Guardiola stated that it is a competition we have yet to win and that everyone will be present.
“I hope the players are not overly desperate to win, but instead focus on winning the first game and earning the opportunity to compete in the final. If we do not succeed, we can aim to win the Champions League in the future and make a comeback. We have two football games ahead of us and we must do whatever it takes to succeed.”
“We take lessons from our past experiences in the Champions League. In life, the future is uncertain…but the motivation and desire to win, especially since we have never achieved it before, is crucial. Winning builds momentum and increases our chances of winning. A victory against Palace will greatly aid us.”
Although the reward for next week’s game may be tempting, Guardiola cautioned against overlooking Saturday’s match.
He stated, “This is my responsibility to inform or notify (the players).” He acknowledged the challenge of working with Roy Hodgson or Patrick Vieira, as Crystal Palace has consistently been a formidable opponent.
“Active participation from all team members is necessary in order to excel in speed, remain composed, execute transitions and set pieces, excel in second ball situations, and handle physicality. We consistently face challenges in these areas.”
“It is typical at Selhurst Park, but our performance at Selhurst Park surpasses that at the Etihad. Unfortunately, we have dropped many points due to their strong performance.”
Source: independent.co.uk
