Three Ways Manchester City Could Line-Up With Kalvin Phillips

Manchester City have added England international Kalvin Phillips to their ranks, with the midfielder joining from Leeds United for a reported £45 million.

Phillips, who came through the academy at Leeds, is the latest addition to what is already an impressive midfield.

Under the tutelage of former Elland Road boss Marcelo Bielsa, the 26-year-old became a defensive midfielder primarily, and he now replaces club legend Fernandinho at the Etihad Stadium.

This has led to some criticism of Manchester City for signing what is perceived by some to be an unnecessary player, since Rodri appears to have that position locked down after a magnificent season for Pep Guardiola’s side.

But matters under the Catalan coach are rarely as simple as first-choice versus back-up, unless you’re a goalkeeper.

City Xtra have concocted three ways that Manchester City’s newest signing could slot into the team in the 2022/23 season and beyond. 

1. The Cup Side

While we wholeheartedly disagree with those who claim that Kalvin Phillips will not even get a sniff in the Premier League, it is true that he is likely to play a big part in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

This line-up sees Phillips take his accustomed place as the lone defensive midfielder in the side, forming the base of the midfield triangle which Pep Guardiola has favoured throughout his years at Manchester City.

It is also a role he is highly capable of performing in the big games, should Rodri get injured or need a rest.

2. The Double Pivot

It was not uncommon last season to see Fernandinho playing alongside Rodri, which could point towards the Spaniard co-existing with Kalvin Phillips in the same team next year.

Pep Guardiola hated being deployed in a double pivot as a player and was once reluctant to use that strategy as a manager, but his stance on the subject appears to have softened over the years.

Phillips has shown his versatility at Leeds United and certainly has the mobility to play a more box-to-box role, as he did at the start of his career.

The best part of this partnership?

It could allow Kevin De Bruyne the freedom to focus even more on creative and goalscoring output - which is looking like it could be the key to prolonging his career as injury problems and absurd fixture congestion start to take their toll.

3. The Back Three

This one may look like a bit of a wildcard at first, but hear me out.

Kalvin Phillips trained as a centre-back under former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa for a time, and even covered there when injuries left the Yorkshire club light at the back.

Now, if centre-backs getting costly injuries sounds familiar, that is probably because you are a Manchester City fan.

If Nathan Aké does leave the club, with the player strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, one of the avenues Pep Guardiola could explore is deploying Kalvin Phillips - who is only slightly shorter than Aké - in defence.

While it is obviously not ideal, it is hard to believe that the possibility has not at least come up at the City Football Academy while scouting took place.

Where would you like to see Phillips play for Manchester City?

Can he work alongside Rodri, or should he rotate with the Spaniard?