[Football] Kalvin Phillips to Man City

[Machiavelli]

I think that was a good deal for Man City, feel Leeds fans will have thought closer to £50+million. Considering what we got for Bissouma with one year left on contract, this looks cheap for one of Englands central midfielders

I tend to agree. Leeds were utter dross without Phillips, so it'll be interesting to see how the deal with losing him. Partisan views aside, he's a fantastic player and Leeds will be far, far worse without him

Well, I agree with you two. Think City have got a bargain out of the Champions of Europe (which you could never accuse City of ). He's the Fernandino replacement, and they've got him for a decent price -- no way they'll get Cucurella for a similar price, not when bidding against an amazing chairman for one of the best players in his position in the world who has four years left on his contract.

 

[Coldeanseagull]

I rate him. Problem being, will the mancs play him where he's suited, or will they just have him on the bench so sockboy has some one to talk to?

 

[Bakero]

Next you’ll be telling me Mings is a 60 million player.

In which game has Phillips looked a decent International playing for England?

Against Croatia last year springs to mind.

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Good signing for City. Disastrous for Leeds.

 

[HastingsSeagull]

The new Delph or Rodwell. Sadly southgate will keep picking him even when he’s hardly playing club football.

 

[vegster]

Phillips should learn from Delphs mistake. He will be found out and replaced in a couple of seasons.

But, will earn a lifechanging fortune in those 2 seasons and will probably bag a Cup or two.

 

[keaton]

Against Croatia last year springs to mind.

Yes the commentators definitely seemed to think he had a good game. All I thought he did was kick people, somehow avoid a booking, but we still had no midfield protection or control of possession

 

[Change at Barnham]

See what u did there t

I didn't, but I do now.

Terrible!

 

[Bakero]

Yes the commentators definitely seemed to think he had a good game. All I thought he did was kick people, somehow avoid a booking, but we still had no midfield protection or control of possession

He played a more advanced role in that game so midfield protection wasn't his responsibility as such. However, no other player on the pitch matched his 39 presses. Before the match, I was worried that Croatia's midfield duo would get a grip of the game but Phillip's energy was a key factor in disrupting them. Perhaps, he was lucky not to get booked; I don't really remember but did spot he made 3 fouls.

As for possession, he had 94% pass completion (the team as a whole had 84% pass completion, equalling Croatia on that metric, while both teams had 50% of the ball). In fact, he didn't give the ball away once until the 64th minute. Added to that, all three of his attempted long passes reached their target and he set up the games only goal with a lovely through ball. Oh and he almost grabbed a goal himself with a well-struck volley.

All individual and team stats can be found here:

https://www.fotmob.com/match/3230655/lineup/england-vs-croatia

Match highlights:

https://youtu.be/v1p4p5qfU2g

 

[Mike Small]

Very good player (less this year) and will look even better with all those quality around him. Don't forget he'd often only have Rodrigo etc to pass to. Can't stand City but dislike Leeds more. He doesn't fit into Marsch formation but hope that all goes tits up next year for them.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

45 million? Leeds fans should be doing a celebration conga.

Cucu is worth twice Philips fee imo

Given the pun below you, £45m Kalvin is -£228m Centigrade. With that exchange rate, Leeds will go bust.

PS - I know that doesn't apply to millions but didn't want to ruin the gag.

 

[Swansman]

Phillips should learn from Delphs mistake. He will be found out and replaced in a couple of seasons.

I'm sure Fabian Delph is crying himself to sleep every night about how he doubled the salary he had at Villa and his 2 PL trophys... Not much of a mistake, I think.

Phillips is a decent player and Leeds was a Championship level team when he was injured.

Obviously won't be a starter for City, but a good backup player.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I think Phillips is decent, and it's unfair to suggest he's never been good for England. He had an excellent Euro 2020(21). The fee seems low to me for an established England international in his prime, which makes it all the funnier seeing all the Leeds fans sobbing because they expected closer to £70m. Unless he's not got long left on his contract, it feels like they've folded a bit easily there. Or maybe it's just because he had a poor season last time out, both in terms of injury and form.

Marvellous.

 

[A1X]

Decent player, pleased for him he finally gets to play for a big club

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Next you’ll be telling me Mings is a 60 million player.

In which game has Phillips looked a decent International playing for England?

Leeds have seen City off imo

Most of the Euro’s, thought him and Declan Rice were among our best players

 

[keaton]

Most of the Euro’s, thought him and Declan Rice were among our best players

The tournament were everyone seemed to agree we were a decent solid team but had no midfield?

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

The tournament were everyone seemed to agree we were a decent solid team but had no midfield?

Don’t know who said that…. I clearly don’t agree.

The only thing that held us back IMO, was a manager unable to react when Italy changed their tactics in the final.

Edit - might have agreed before the tournament though….

 

[keaton]

Don’t know who said that…. I clearly don’t agree.

The only thing that held us back IMO, was a manager unable to react when Italy changed their tactics in the final.

Edit - might have agreed before the tournament though….

I was in favour of Phillips playing in the Euros but I spent the whole tournament thinking he was very poor and lacking any confidence or bravery on the ball which is what I understood the point of him was.

I thought the midfield and lack of any ability in passing or movement was the weak spot, I'm sure I read many articles along the same lines but at the same time many seemed to say Phillips was our best player. It is all about opinions. For me I think he's like Grealish, excellent player in average team, average player in excellent team

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I was in favour of Phillips playing in the Euros but I spent the whole tournament thinking he was very poor and lacking any confidence or bravery on the ball which is what I understood the point of him was.

I thought the midfield and lack of any ability in passing or movement was the weak spot, I'm sure I read many articles along the same lines but at the same time many seemed to say Phillips was our best player. It is all about opinions. For me I think he's like Grealish, excellent player in average team, average player in excellent team

You see I felt in terms of holding a shape and doing the dirty things he and Rice complemented each other really well. I wasn’t looking for them to do anything clever just win the ball and give it to players who are more creative.

I like Grealish, and again opinions, but he’s one of the few English players who is likely to be considered world class at some point. I certainly wouldn’t class Saka or Mount anywhere near him ability wise.

Grealish has yet to turn it on for City but I wonder if that is more about him having to adapt to a different game.

 

[Icy Gull]

You see I felt in terms of holding a shape and doing the dirty things he and Rice complemented each other really well. I wasn’t looking for them to do anything clever just win the ball and give it to players who are more creative.

I like Grealish, and again opinions, but he’s one of the few English players who is likely to be considered world class at some point. I certainly wouldn’t class Saka or Mount anywhere near him ability wise.

Grealish has yet to turn it on for City but I wonder if that is more about him having to adapt to a different game.

Seems to have adapted to not diving every time he’s tackled, it’s a good start