Former Manchester City keeper Shay Given reckons Kalvin Phillips' decision to leave Leeds United could impact upon his England international career ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Man City agreed a £42m fee with Leeds for Phillips who now looks set to join Pep Guardiola and the Premier League champions.
The 26-year-old is joining a cast of all-stars at City that boasts an elite player in almost every position. The back-ups at City would likely start at most Premier League clubs bar perhaps Liverpool and Chelsea. With Rodri being City's first choice defensive midfielder, Phillips is likely joining the Premier League champions as a back-up behind the Spaniard at the Etihad.
Qatar 2022 is just a few months away, and after missing the majority of last season due to injury, Phillips needs a good run of form in the build-up to the tournament if he wants to keep his spot in Gareth Southgate's starting XI.
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Competition for places at City could impact upon Phillips hopes to start the World Cup in Qatar, which is a point former Republic of Ireland keeper Given raised on talkSPORT.
"He's a top class player," said Given. "The only decision he would have to make is in a World Cup year, is he going to go to City and start every single game because he was starting for England. So if he's a bit part player at City, will that cause trouble for his England international career, especially this year with the World Cup coming in December.
"That's the big question for him. But as a player, he's a brilliant player. Obviously Fernandinho's left the football club now so there is a space there and we talk about the amount of games these top players have to play - you know you can't ask Rodri to play every single game. You know it's Champions League, Premier League and of course internationals as well. I think he'll be a great signing."
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