Kalvin Phillips, the Leeds and England midfielder, has opened up about the difficulties he faced after Pep Guardiola criticized his weight following the World Cup. Phillips, who was targeted by Bayern Munich last summer, was part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad that reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. However, he spent most of the tournament on the bench due to a shoulder injury. Upon returning to Manchester City, Guardiola publicly criticized Phillips for being overweight and not fit enough to train and play. Despite the criticism, Phillips maintains that he was not overweight and did his best to get fit. He has since addressed the issue in an upcoming documentary about his journey from the Leeds academy to playing in the World Cup for England.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Phillips admitted that the criticism from Guardiola was hard to hear, especially considering how much attention it received. He acknowledged that the manager had his opinion, but he believed he was not overweight. Phillips made an effort to improve his fitness and was back on the bench for the next game. He clarified that it was a misunderstanding between him and some staff members and that the documentary would shed light on the situation.
Guardiola’s comments initially caused outrage, with notable figures like Alan Shearer and Richard Keys criticizing the City boss. However, the relationship between Phillips and Guardiola seems to have been repaired, as the manager later made lighthearted comments about Phillips having a “perfect” and “sexy” body. Despite the reconciliation, Phillips has struggled to find his footing at Manchester City since his £45 million transfer from Leeds. He has only played two full games in the Premier League.
Overall, Phillips has faced challenges both on and off the field, but he remains determined to prove himself and succeed at Manchester City. The documentary will provide further insight into his journey and the struggles he has overcome.
