Statistics Suggest Kalvin Phillips Might Be Better Than Manchester City’s Rodri

A statistical comparison has been undertaken to decide how Rodri and Kalvin Phillip line up against each other.

It was revealed recently that Manchester City are closing in on the £42 million signing of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United.

City's pursuit of the Leeds United academy graduate looks set to finally come to an end as an official confirmation from both clubs is expected in the near future.

It is understood the highly-rated defensive midfielder has been eyed as the perfect replacement for club captain Fernandinho, who departed the club in the summer.

While Rodri has proved his mettle as the rightful heir to the Brazilian’s throne, the England international is set to take the veteran’s role in the seasons to follow.

Phillips will strengthen competition in the middle of the park for Rodri, who enjoyed a stellar 2021/22 campaign and was one of Guardiola's mainstays.

Many amongst City's fanbase expect Phillips could provide stiff competition to the former Atletico Madrid lynchpin, who joined the Blues in 2019.

Unlike Fernandinho - whose career was approaching its last legs last term - Phillips is at the peak of his powers and will only improve under Pep Guardiola.

While a recent injury-stricken campaign may have reduced his stock in some eyes, it would be short-sighted to forget that the 'Yorkshire Pirlo’ is still considered as one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League.

With Rodri largely hailed as the current standout candidate in his position across the continent, Sky Sports News have accumulated a list of key stats since the start of the 2020/21 on a per 90 basis that compare Manchester City’s soon-to-be defensive midfield duo.

Kalvin Phillips

Total tackles: 2.86

Interceptions: 1.54

Possession turnovers: 1.63

Take-ons attempted: 0.98

Forward passing %: 28.02

Rodri

Total tackles: 2.3

Interceptions: 1.02

Possession turnovers: 0.69

Take-ons attempted: 0.88

Forward passing %: 20.99

Going by the strength of the numbers alone, one may assume it is the England international who is far and away the better player.

However, this statistical comparison gives one more of an insight into the contrasting styles and responsibilities that characterise both midfielders.

In Phillips’ case, it is key to emphasise that while his numbers are certainly impressive, this is also a result of Leeds being on the backfoot on several occasions in games - which boosts his defensive duties in comparison to the Spaniard.

However, one can also gauge that unlike the metronomic Rodri, England’s 2020/21 Men’s Player of the Year is a more all-action presence, much like Fernandinho, which is why he profiles both as a number six and box-to-box midfielder.

Meanwhile, the brilliance of Rodri can be deceiving by solely judging his game on raw numbers.

All in all, the biggest takeaway is that Manchester City could soon have two polar opposites, yet excellent defensive midfielders within their ranks in the 2022/23 season.

Elsewhere, Marc Cucurella has been teasing a move to Pep Guardiola’s side, whose potential signing would conclude the club’s major incomings ahead of the new campaign.