Manchester City look set to secure their second signing of the summer with Kalvin Phillips close to sealing the passage to Premier League champions.
Pep Guardiola has always looked for a replacement for Fernandinho on his return to his native Brazil, but while the seemingly imminent capture of the English star is exciting, it is also surprising. Not many believe Rodri will be eliminated quickly after a stellar season and Phillips would probably have guaranteed playing time with a transfer deal.
This means that there is every chance that Guardiola may choose from time to time to appoint two midfielders to his lineups in the future, far from his thoughts on the 202 Champions League final. And with Kevin De Bruyne it goes nowhere, it means there is little room for anyone else in the middle of the field.
READ MORE:Kalvin Phillips started the Man City pre-season camp after moving to Leeds
The collective effect could be huge, but the player who could be most affected is Phil Foden. There were rumors that the young man would go down again in the middle of the field to help in case Bernardo Silva leaves.
The Portuguese international now looks set to stay at the Etihad despite ties with Barcelona, and Phillips’ arrival may limit Foden’s chances of relegation. The 22-year-old joined City as a central midfielder, but has been used mainly as a winger for the club and the country.
He has done an excellent job in attacking positions, but they are not his real strength. He played just eight of his 45 games last season as a central midfielder, but got five of his 11 assists while playing there.
The opportunity to return to his childish position may have cheered Foden’s ears. But those plans may need to be suspended for now.
After all, he has just been awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year for playing primarily as a striker this season, so Guardiola has no reason to change his position. Especially amid reports of the possible departure of Raheem Sterling.
Instead, Foden will compete with Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish – also a midfielder by nature, albeit offensive – for playing time on the flanks, with Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez seemingly extinguishing the chances of playing as a fake newcomer in the future.
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