Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on Calvin Phillips’ fitness: ‘He’s not injured, he’s gotten overweight’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said England midfielder Calvin Phillips, back from the World Cup, was “overweight” and “not in shape for training”.

The summer signing from Leeds had only made four appearances as a substitute this season due to a shoulder injury and Gareth Southgate was initially suspected of making it. England band.

While Phillips’ England teammates John Stones, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish all featured during Man City’s 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, the midfielder, who played 40 minutes in two substitute appearances in Qatar, was the same. . Sudden omission from the team.

When asked why Phillips was not in shape to appear against Liverpool, Guardiola said: “He’s not injured. He’s overweight. I don’t know.” [why].

He didn’t arrive in good shape to train and play.”

A reporter went on to ask, “But he’s been away in England, with nutritionists, etc…?”

And Guardiola replied: “No, no, no, no. Absolutely. That’s why he can’t play. When he’s ready, he’ll play, because we need him, we need him a lot.”

Asked if that was disappointing, Guardiola added: “It’s a private conversation with Calvin.”

Guardiola is also without another World Cup star, although for slightly more legitimate reasons after he picked up a hamstring injury in his final game for Portugal in Qatar.

Robin Dias injured. Robben has been suffering from a hamstring injury since the last match in the World Cup and is out.”

What’s next for Man City?

Manchester City will resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to Phillips’ former team Leeds on December 28. Kick-off is at 8 p.m.

Busy few weeks for Man City…

• December 28: Leeds United (away) Kick-off at 8:00 pm (English Premier League)
• December 31: Everton (home) – 3pm (English Premier League)
• January 5: Chelsea (away) Departure at 8:00 pm, right away Sky Sports (Premier League)
• January 8: Chelsea (home) Kick-off 4.30pm (FA Cup)
• January 10: Southampton (away) – 7.45pm (Carabao Cup)
• January 14: Manchester United (away) Kick-off 12:30 (English Premier League)
• January 19: Tottenham (home) Kick-off at 8:00 pm (English Premier League)
• January 22: wolves (h) – 2 pm (English Premier League)

Thursday, January 5, 6:30 p.m

It starts at 8:00 pm

Pep: Rico Luis prepares for ‘big contract’

Meanwhile, Guardiola believes Manchester City have discovered a star for the next 10 years in teenage right-back Rico Luis.

The 18-year-old academy graduate seized his latest first-team opportunity by putting in an impressive display in City’s narrow victory over rivals Liverpool.

It came after Luis scored on his Champions League debut for Sevilla early last month and was his seventh appearance this season in all.

“I have the feeling that without him we couldn’t play the way we did,” said City manager Guardiola, who has just returned from the World Cup with Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo. face.. accomplish.

“I really admire, at such a young age, the way he played against a real big team.

“It’s not about intelligence with the ball, it’s without it.

“I almost had the honor to announce that this guy is going to take on a big contract, he’s going to be a very great player for Manchester City in the years to come because he’s so smart, so down to earth. He understands everything in just one second and applies everything.

“He’s very intelligent. We’ve got a great right-back with us for the next few years.

“He always plays well, but not (only) against Liverpool. Liverpool are special, with (Darwin) Nunez, (Mohamed) Salah, Thiago (Alcantara) and (Andy) Robertson at his side.

“He’s 18 years old and his game was amazing. He was man of the match.”