Pep Guardiola has already made his feelings clear about Declan Rice, calling him “an exceptional player” last month.
Perhaps out of all his potential destinations this summer, Manchester City wasn’t one of the strongest shouts. Mateo Kovacic looks set to come in as a direct replacement for Barcelona-bound Ilkay Gundogan.
The City captain was tipped to leave the Etihad this summer, with Bernardo Silva likely to follow through the exit door too. Rice would not be a direct replacement for the Portugal maestro, should Pep Guardiola sanction a move for the West Ham captain.
Reports on Thursday suggested that City are to launch a pursuit of the man priced at £100m. When you buy four-time Champions League winner Kovacic for just £30m, you can afford to indulge a little.
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The midfielder who usually plays centrally also has the ability to play as deep as Rice does, which makes the apparent pursuit of the England star interesting. It’s not like City are lacking cover there.
Rodri is one of Europe’s top midfielders right now and is getting into every team of the season around. John Stones has shown world-class traits when he moves into pivot position, a role that has seen him thrive to the next level.
When Kovacic arrives and if Rice is signed, that leaves Kalvin Phillips in the lurch with a decision to make. The Yorkshireman only made his full Premier League debut after City had bagged the title.
His two-and-a-bit months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury amid the start of the season seems to have hampered the bedding-in process.
Phillips still managed to make the England World Cup squad but was scorned by Guardiola upon his return.
Asked why Phillips didn’t feature against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, City’s first game back, the Blues boss said: "He's not injured. He arrived overweight. I don't know [why]. He didn't arrive in the condition to do training sessions and to play."
He re-emphasised the point a fortnight later adding: “It will maybe be a good lesson for him in the future… this level is so demanding and to play every three days you have to be fit and if you are not fit, nothing.”
Phillips ended up playing just 21 games, starting just four. He did not make the XI once in City’s Champions League campaign.
At international level he has jousted with Rice for the defensive midfield starting spot and is currently losing ahead of next year's Euros. If his England teammate arrives at the Etihad he may have a decision to make.
As seen with almost every Guardiola signing (minus Erling Haaland), players need a year or so to bed-in before flourishing. Cases in point include Rodri, Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake.
But if Rice is signed, it begs the question whether Phillips will be given the chance to show he has caught the required rhythm. Rodri is a must-start with Stones showing that City can survive with just one initial midfield pivot when he comes in-field to help out.
Guardiola’s quotes on Rice indicate that he would be next in line to Rodri, while Kovacic can do a job there if needed. In a Stones-eqsue move, Guardiola could push Rice further forward as a central midfielder, but that’s clutching at straws for Phillips at this stage.
The former Leeds man may be outwardly delighted but inwardly horrified to see his England colleague walk through the door.
If he does, Phillips must make a decision about fighting for game time at City, or seeking an easier path elsewhere. Euro 2024 will be on the mind.
