Manchester City has brought Calvin Phillips from Leeds this season, but the English midfielder didn’t get many playing opportunities in his first season at Manchester City. At the beginning of the season, players’ injuries were the main influencing factors. Although FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 successfully participated, he was once again excluded from the team’s main force because of overweight after returning to Manchester City. It can be said that Guardiola has not found a way to activate the midfielder. Of course, Manchester City will not sell players this summer, but Rodley really needs a player who can share the pressure for him, and Manchester City has also locked in the target.
According to news media N1, Manchester City coach Guardiola has found a midfielder who can replace Calvin Phillips, form a good rotation with Rodley, and even have a competitive relationship. This person is none other than Chelsea’s Croatian midfielder kovacic. Joining the Blues from Real Madrid in 2018, kovacic has helped the Blues win the Europa League, Champions League, World Club Cup and Super Cup.
However, with the departure of Roman Abramovich, the Blues under Burleigh’s control are now playing very badly on the pitch, and Burleigh spent 600 million pounds to sign for two consecutive transfer windows this year, but the final result is not satisfactory. On this premise, the Blues will sell a large number of players this summer to ensure their financial balance, and the contract between kovacic and Chelsea will expire in Ming Xia, so it is very likely that the Blues will sell them soon to earn a transfer fee.
There is a high probability that Chelsea will not qualify for the Champions League next season, and many players in the team will also have their salaries reduced. Of course, these players were signed during the Burleigh period. As a meritorious player during tuchel’s coaching of Chelsea, kovacic’s blue career has basically come to an end. However, kovacic, who is only 28 years old, is still at the peak of his career, and Guardiola is very fond of the Croatian midfielder and hopes to sign this player for Manchester City this summer.
Guardiola once said that Calvin Phillips needs to increase his rhythm in short passing. In the game with Sheffield United, Guardiola continued to give players playing time, but more could only be returned, and he could not find the opportunity to adjust his body forward. Obviously, Calvin Phillips could not provide much help to Manchester City on the court when he was on the court. If players want to gain a foothold in Manchester City, it is very important to add some extra training, but Manchester City obviously can’t just wait, but wants to take the initiative.
It is reported that Manchester City is prepared to bring kovacic from Chelsea for a transfer fee of 30 million pounds, which is not low, and if Manchester City is really willing to pay such a high price, kovacic himself is obviously willing to join. After all, you can win more trophies in Manchester City, and compared with the chaotic Chelsea, Manchester City is obviously a good place for kovacic.
Of course, it is not known whether Calvin Phillips can lead to the outbreak of Manchester City’s second season. Like Grali and many other players, he has grown up under Guardiola’s guidance. However, it is obvious that Calvin Phillips’s first season in Manchester City is not mature enough for various reasons, and players should consider their own future. Therefore, it is very important for Calvin Phillips to integrate into Guardiola’s tactical system as soon as possible.
