K ALVIN PRIME!
Pep got lowdown from boss Bielsa
PEP GUARDIOLA has revealed he’s been on the trail of Kalvin Phillips for years after being tipped off by Marcelo Bielsa.
The England star joined Manchester City from Leeds in a £50million deal earlier this summer.
And although Guardiola admits the defensive midfielder, 26, isn’t yet at the same level as Spain international Rodri, the City coach has no doubts the England star will become a valuable asset.
“We don’t have doubts about Kalvin, none at all,” said Guardiola ahead of today’s trip to Newcastle. “He is in the England team and has made an incredible improvement as a player. “He was working with Marcelo Bielsa. He’s British – and that helps with the Premier League.
“Of course, he needs to learn some of the things we are doing and, right now, Rodri is a step in front of him in that position.
“But from September, when we play every three days, we will need him and he will show how valuable he is. We don’t have doubts.
“On top of that, we know he is an exceptional lad. That helps a lot. “Marcelo spoke about Kalvin three or four years ago. It was the first or second season when he was at Leeds. “They were in the
Championship and it was the first time I realised that Kalvin Phillips played for Leeds.
“Marcelo spoke with me and told me, ‘This guy is really, really good. Maybe he’s not ready for Manchester City now, but one day he can play in the top, top teams.’
“He proved that Marcelo was not wrong. He got promoted to the Premier League and played for the national team.
“When Fernandinho decided to go to Brazil we were looking for a holding midfielder and we thought Kalvin was perfect for us.
“Kyle Walker and John (Stones) and Phil Foden are English team players and so he has settled perfectly and so quickly. Last season he had injuries and so we have to be careful right now.”
Meanwhile, with Norway failing to qualify, Guardiola has promised striker Erling Haaland a two-week holiday during the World Cup.
But the City boss isn’t planning to play the £51m striker in every game just because he’s not going to Qatar.
“Absolutely not – the decisions we take between now and then, we don’t think for one second about the
World Cup,” he said.
RAHEEM STERLING admits he was left “raging” by his exit from Manchester City. Sterling, who moved to Chelsea this summer, said: “Everyone wants to feel wanted, football is no different. When you play your heart out, sacrifice some of your kids’ birthdays, and then get treated in a certain way, it’s disappointing. “It was a shame to see how it ended because I had such a great time there. At the time I was fuming, raging, but it’s gone, it’s in the past.”