Manchester City have acted on their reported interest of Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
What’s the word?
That is according to Football Insider, who claim that the Citizens have submitted a bid for the England international.
It is said that Phillips is Pep Guardiola’s top target for the remainder of the summer window with an offer already on the table for the 26-year-old.
As per the same report, Guardiola is said to be a “huge” admirer of Phillips, and has reportedly made his admiration clear at City, with the Spaniard looking to include him in what looked to be a revamped team next season.
It is said that a sum of £60m could be enough to prise the Leeds United asset away from Elland Road.
Pep will be buzzing
Having already wrapped up a sensational deal for Erling Haaland, Guardiola is further adding to the narrative that his side will change tactics next season by tabling a bid for Phillips.
Do City need Kalvin Phillips?
With the 21-year-old Norwegian up top, City will no doubt look to become more direct, which will cause a domino effect throughout certain positions in the attacking phase of the game.
The three positions that will be impacted most are at left-back, right-back and defensive-midfield, with the Spanish tactician no doubt looking for both full-backs to push up when in possession.
Whilst Joao Cancelo at right-back will most likely keep his inverted role in the side, a left-sided full-back will be expected to make overlapping runs in order to keep width and aid in chance creation out wide.
As such, the defensive midfielder could be left isolated if both central midfielders push up into the final third, like they do currently.
Rodri, especially this season, has not been as prominent out of possession, with an average of just 2.20 tackles and 1.57 interceptions achieved per game.
For comparison, Phillips, who has been dubbed “superb” by presenter and pundit Jules Breach, registered an average of 3.67 tackles and 1.92 interceptions per game. He is an option who is willing to stay back and dictate play from deep and represents a perfect option for Manchester City.
We could either see Rodri as a central midfielder next season and Phillips as a lone holding midfielder, or both the Spaniard and Englishman in a double-pivot in what would be a system change, if the deal can be agreed.
Either way, the fact he’s more prominent in defensive positions than his ever-reliable Rodri, will no doubt leave Guardiola purring with excitement. This would be another landmark deal for City.
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