English midfielder lacks professionalism, blames coach, exposed as incompetent!

Iravan774

Players produced or bought back by Manchester City generally don't disappoint. Especially those personally identified and nurtured by the renowned coach Pep Guardiola are considered the cream of the crop. However, there are exceptions to every rule, and English midfielder and former Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips is one such exception. After transferring to Manchester City, his performance fluctuated, ultimately leading to his departure from the club. How could a talented player regress so dramatically? The reasons behind it are closely tied to him.

When Phillips first joined Manchester City, there were high expectations for him from almost everyone, as he was an absolute mainstay for England and had performed admirably at Leeds United. However, he failed to meet the expected level of performance at Manchester City. Many weren't worried initially, as Guardiola's tactics are complex, and many star players often struggle in their first year at the club, typically showing improvement in the second year.

However, Phillips didn't experience this improvement. Instead, he performed poorly and was plagued by injuries. Additionally, due to unknown reasons, he couldn't control his weight, which further hindered his progress. After recovering from injury, Guardiola no longer considered him for selection, even publicly stating in a press conference that he was "overweight," straining their relationship. Phillips subsequently left Manchester City to join West Ham United on loan.

However, Phillips' performance at West Ham United didn't improve. In the first game, he made a fatal passing mistake leading to a goal against the team, and in the second, he was directly sent off with a red card. Such disastrous performances left many disappointed in him. Even England's head coach, Gareth Southgate, who had consistently included Phillips in the national team squad despite Guardiola's criticism, was considering giving up on him. Phillips' professional career was in crisis.

Despite the numerous challenges he faced, Phillips believed he had done nothing wrong. He publicly expressed that Guardiola's comments about his weight severely affected his confidence. His family, including his mother, also expressed dissatisfaction with Guardiola's remarks. Eventually, Guardiola publicly apologized to Phillips, admitting that his comments had impacted his confidence. However, fans were not convinced. They believed Phillips was too fragile and should focus on proving his doubters wrong instead of complaining. Yet, Phillips still seems unaware of his own issues.

977Iti

Everyone, when speaking, surely won't admit their own fault.

Ritu13

Most of the players developed by Manchester City perform well, but Phillips' performance remains a mystery. Perhaps he needs to regain his confidence and overcome difficulties. Wishing him a swift recovery in his career!

Yamini003

Perhaps Guardiola's words dealt a blow to him, but he did not receive that kind of "signal" even though honest advice may be hard to hear. Hopefully, he will have an awakening in the future.

Jafar224

A player who can't find reasons within himself is not a good player. Phillips, as a talented player, struggles to adapt and even clashes with the coach, indicating that he has many internal issues. If he addresses these problems head-on, there may be improvement. However, if he continues to use others as excuses for his own shortcomings, he will only get closer to failure.

Kahn332

Many people who are unable to perform well tend to make excuses....

Nimmi373

It's truly not easy for a player to succeed, as professionalism is absolutely essential. Even with great talent, without dedication, there's a risk of decline. Take Cristiano Ronaldo, at 39 still breaking records with over 50 goals per year, contrasted with Neymar, at 32, who seems to have let himself go. Despite Neymar's greater talent, he's not achieving what Ronaldo is. As for Phillips, at 29, he's still relatively young. He's had a promising career, moving from smaller clubs like Leeds United to powerhouses like Manchester City, winning trebles along the way. However, since joining a big club, he seems to have lost his way, perhaps due to injuries and lack of discipline. Now on loan to West Ham United, it's a chance to rejuvenate. If he performs well, he might return to Manchester City. Otherwise, he might fade away, never reaching the heights he once hoped for. At 29, he's at his peak, and it's time for him to take his career seriously.

Pooja193

Many overweight players exist, like Ronaldo, yet their skill level remains unmatched. The key factor is still mastering the technique!