Ex-Manchester City duo Pablo Zabaleta and Joleon Lescott believe their former club has pulled off an incredible signing in landing Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United. While there had been hope at Elland Road the Whites would be able to keep ahold of their star midfielder, Phillips made the switch from Leeds to Manchester earlier this summer in a £42m transfer. Ultimately, it was a move the England international wanted to make.
The 26-year-old has joined a star studded squad that boasts incredible talent at every position. And former City full-back Pablo Zabaleta reckons Phillips is a great signing for Pep Guardiola and the Premier League champions.
“Kalvin Phillips was playing number six at Leeds, sometimes it’s different when you play with two in midfield but as a one in front of the back four it’s a very similar role to what Rodri’s been doing," Zabaleta told City's official club website. “If you want to challenge for all the trophies, you need a big squad, two big players in each position to give the manager a chance to rotate and have more options. He’s a great signing, an English lad, he knows the league well and for him to come to Manchester City is a big move.”
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Given the huge number of games Manchester City play, it's likely Phillips will rotate with Rodri in Guardiola's starting XI. So impressive is City's squad depth, you could make a case they don't really have a second-string XI. The Premier League champions needed to sign a defensive midfielder this summer following Fernandinho's departure at the end of last season.
And Zabaleta's former team mate Joleon Lescott believes Phillips is more than capable of replacing the Brazilian midfielder.
“It’s an impressive signing," added Lescott. "Obviously Fernandinho will be sorely missed for the Club and dressing room but Kalvin Phillips as an acquisition is huge. He was voted England’s Player of the Year for 2021 so he’s a massive player to get and relatively young as well. The squad’s getting younger which is nice to see and there seems to be a great camaraderie around the group as well.
“I’ve been speaking to some of the lads that I know in the squad and they were excited about the signings yesterday as well. That’s pleasing when your teammates are getting excited about you, and it’s always nice.”
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