Manchester City’s proposed signing Kalvin Phillips could “go straight into their midfield”.
What’s the word?
That is according to a claim from Andros Townsend, as per a report by Manchester Evening News.
As stated in a report last Friday, Manchester City have come to an agreement with Leeds United over a fee in the region of £45m for their defensive midfielder.
The transfer is expected to go through, although personal terms are yet to be agreed.
And whilst there are questions as to whether the England international will achieve regular minutes under Pep Guardiola, Everton midfielder Andros Townsend believes that he should be starting at the Etihad next season.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Townsend said: “I would have said it was a bit cheap [proposed transfer fee]. But if you are right in saying he has two years left on his deal, then it makes perfect sense.
“Once you get to two years left, the power goes to the player. It comes out of the club’s hands.
Should Pep move Rodri to CM?
“They are then panicking: ‘If we don’t sell him, if he’s unhappy, then we can’t let him get down to a year because his fee is going to half again.’ So I think taking all of the things into consideration, then £42m is the right amount.”
“You would like to think if you spend £42m, then you are going to be a starter,” Townsend added. ” Rodri is a top, top player as well.
Busquets 2.0
Townsend’s latest admission on talkSPORT is not a bad one at all.
As of right now, Guardiola may be left with a conflicting decision in the holding midfielder role with Rodri such an important figure.
He has proven himself as somewhat of a maestro in possession. And whilst he’s drummed up an astonishing return of seven goals and two assists from defensive midfield, his defensive numbers have taken a slight hit, with one-on-one defending scenarios an ongoing concern from a City perspective.
So if the City boss is thinking of pushing Rodri up to the role of a number 8 box-to-box midfielder, then Phillips would slot straight into the holding role for the Premier League Champions.
Having registered an average of 3.67 tackles and 1.92 interceptions per game. Phillips is an asset who is willing to stay back and dictate play from deep.
Quite simply, he can be City’s closest mimic to Barcelona icon Sergio Busquets, who has mastered the role of the single pivot in a 4-3-3.
The Spaniard rose to stardom under Guardiola, playing 191 times under his stewardship, the most games he has managed with any one coach.
With that in mind, it’s clear that the City tactician knows how to get the most from a holding player and in Phillips, his new Busquets could emerge.
Once described as a “destroyer” by Steve McClaren, he has not only the grace in possession but the tactical acumen and physicality to dominate as the great Spaniard has at Camp Nou.
AND in other news: “Getting closer..“: Journalist drops big Man City transfer update, Pep will be gutted
