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Kalvin Phillips debut highlights Fernandinho truth as Pep Guardiola conducts Man City experiment

The new Manchester City midfielder looks set to cover multiple positions at the Etihad

Photo by Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images

Kalvin Phillips made his Manchester City debut at the NRG Stadium on Thursday, helping his team win by two goals to one. The new signing played just 45 minutes against Club America after being substituted on at half-time.

The Englishman didn't necessarily deliver fireworks but already, Pep Guardiola has offered an insight into why he was purchased. Despite his background as a midfielder, Phillips was deployed as a centre-back against the Mexican outfit.


He performed in the role on a number of occasions for Marcelo Bielsa during his time at Leeds United. While the legendary coach admitted his best position was in the middle of the park, he expressed several times that Phillips can perform to a solid level in defence.


READ MORE: Pep Guardiola can give Man City midfield what they had in glorious 2014 run-in

It is a trait that Phillips shares with a certain Fernandinho, who left Manchester this summer after his contract expired.

The Brazilian was a useful presence in the squad for Guardiola, with the Spanish coach able to field him as a defensive midfielder or as a centre-back depending on injuries and certain match scenarios.


Fernandinho's versatility even permitted him to spend some time as a full-back against Real Madrid in the Champions League towards the end of last season, although Vinicius Junior did highlight his limitations when presented with one-on-one situations against him.

Once Fernandinho announced his plans to depart from the Etihad this summer, City had to source a capable replacement and in Phillips, the club seem to have done exactly that when it comes to finding a player with a similar profile.

Unlike the man he's replaced, Phillips is also homegrown which is a valuable perk considering the implications of Brexit on the transfer market, and he's also - incredibly - 11 years younger.


It remains to be seen how Phillips will be deployed moving forward and throughout the campaign but based on early evidence, Guardiola will tap into his experience as a centre-back whenever he's short of numbers in defence.

For around £42m, it seems Phillips will act as a hybrid midfielder and defender in the City squad this season, which captures why he's an ideal heir to Fernandinho's throne.

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