Manchester City are expected to confirm their second big addition in the summer transfer window soon, but does England playmaker Calvin Phillips have what it takes to shine under Pep Guardiola?
Having already won the race for Borussia Dortmund’s goal machine Erling Haaland – which cost £ 51 million – City agreed on a fee with Leeds United for Philips, 26. Manchester evening news understands that the agreement costs the initial £ 42 million, which increases to £ 45 million with allowances.
Personal conditions have yet to be improved, but no complications are expected, as Guardiola is preparing to further improve his star team, which has already won four Premier League titles in the last five seasons. Here’s what experts Gary Neville and Roy Keane had to say about Phillips.
READ MORE: Man City agree to £ 45 million fee for transfer of Calvin Phillips from Leeds United
Phillips and his appearance on the Premier League stage are regularly outlined by Neville and the comments he makes about the player, on both sides of his eye-catching Euro 2020 appearances, underscore why City are interested in him. Speaking last summer, Neville said: “Calvin Phillips is better at transferring the ball across the lines of Leeds.
“[Jordan] Henderson and [Declan] Rice is good on the ball, but Phillips is the best of the three on the ball in terms of taking the ball and getting it out of the back four. This has become a really important area for England, so for me I would prefer Phillips with Rice. “
Reinforcing that sentence early last season, Neville added: “He entered the Premier League 12 months ago, but is now the best English midfielder to date. When we think of players, we always have a stereotype. Is he a holding player? He’s an attacking player? It is actually a return to someone who can do anything.
“He runs, he fights, he passes, he can defend himself, to be honest, he is fantastic. He is nice, he has integrity, when he speaks, you like to look at him. He runs all day, the statistics we see him produce, at most the pressure is a dream. The work you have to do as a defender and midfielder at Leeds is unrealistic, but he really sets the tone, he is a fantastic, fantastic player. “
In the past, Gary Neville was lyrical for English player Calvin Phillips. (Image: Sky Sports)
Asked about his views on Phillips around the same time Neville made these brilliant remarks, Keane suggested that the 26-year-old should add another string to his bow. Keane said: “You still have to look for improvements in your team and if you are critical of England, these guys in the middle of the park, Rice and Phillips, do they have that creativity?
“But honestly, they had really good tournaments and you have to look at the positives. Since the attacking players England were still high on the pitch, they sacrificed that to keep up with the two boys. [against Hungary]”
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