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Pep Guardiola has insisted that Kalvin Phillips will play a big role in the team’s season, despite not featuring in the FA Community Shield on Saturday.
Manchester City’s pre-season ended in disappointing fashion, with a 3-1 defeat to rivals Liverpool at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.
Late goals from Mohamed Salah and summer signing Darwin Nuñez saw Jurgen Klopp’s men over the line.
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It dealt City a frustrating defeat in their final pre-season match before the opening weekend duties in the Premier League next weekend.
A host of the club’s new summer signings featured in the match day squad, including Erling Haaland, Stefan Ortega, Julian Alvarez and Kalvin Phillips.
However, Phillips was an unused substitute on the day.
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The England international made the move from Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium in July, after the Premier League champions secured a £42.5 million deal for his services.
As a key player for both the Yorkshire-based outfit and England in recent years, the 26-year-old appears to be the perfect replacement for Fernandinho, who departed the Etihad club this summer after nine seasons in Sky Blue.
Phillips made two appearances in pre-season friendlies during the club’s US tour, featuring at both centre-back and in central midfield, but has yet to make his competitive debut for the Blues.
Speaking after the match, City boss Pep Guardiola insisted that Phillips will still be a key player for the club in the upcoming campaign, despite playing a bit-part role in pre-season.
“He has confidence, he can play, he is ready to play,” Guardiola said.
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“He arrived just two weeks (ago). We have Rodri, Bernardo, Gundogan and they know [City’s style] - but step by step he will get it.”
Guardiola continued, “He’s an incredibly nice person. The season is long - many games - and he is going to help us.”
Phillips could play a role in the Blues' opening weekend trip to West Ham United if Guardiola is looking for a fresh starting eleven after the disappointing performance against Liverpool.
However, one thing is clear, the lack of minutes in preseason for the former Leeds man is not necessarily a sign to come.
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With such a jam-packed season coming up, Phillips will play a vital role on multiple fronts for City.
He has never made an appearance in the Champions League, but he is likely to feature in a two-man double pivot alongside Rodri.
Despite needing some time to adapt to Guardiola's methods, his vast knowledge of Premier League football will aid him immensely.
Featured Image Credit: Sipa US / AlamyTopics: Manchester City, Kalvin Phillips, Pep Guardiola, Premier League