HE’S a player who splits opinion – but sadly not often defences.
Yet he could be a side-splitting answer to Manchester City‘s problem of how to replace Rodri.
That’s if you believe many fans online, who are mooting the return of a forgotten midfielder, currently loaned out of the Etihad for a second time.
Some say he should plug the gap if star anchorman Rodri is ruled out for the season following a knee injury against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Spanish Euro 2024 winner is already in Barcelona for tests that could confirm City’s fears he has torn a cruciate ligament.
The 28-year-old is as close to irreplaceable as you can get for a club that has won the Premier League four seasons in a row.
Being without Rodri for so long would be an unthinkable problem.
But fan reckon they’ve got a previously unthinkable answer – in the shape of an unfashionable player now trying to revive his career at the opposite end of the Prem.
The same-aged ace in question, Kalvin Phillips, never won a regular place at City after arriving from home-town club Leeds in 2022 for £42million.
And he remained on the bench during a 1-0 Champions League final win over Inter Milan the next year as Pep Guardiola‘s men sealed the Treble.
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His England career stuttered, albeit mainly due to injury and then a miserable second half of last term on loan at West Ham.
Now Prem new boys Ipswich have borrowed Phillips for the season – with encouraging hints so far he’s rediscovering his prime combative form.
And a section of Etihad fans want him back – “pronto”.
One posted: “Get Kalvin Phillips recalled, he’s got a title to win us.”
Another claimed City chief Guardiola will “rue the day” he let the ball-winner leave once more.
“Bring Kalvin Phillips back,” pleaded a third supporter, who added, perhaps mischievously: “Who says no?”
A fourth supporter suggested he was “surely almost certain to be recalled?”
That sparked the response: “Yeah, he’s definitely making a strong case for it!”
But another group of fans believe that if Phillips is the solution then the champions have really got a problem.
A few pointed out ready-made alternatives – reliable Mateo Kovacic, returning legend Ilkay Gundogan, England starlet Rico Lewis and versatile John Stones.
So how likely do they rate Phillips’ prospects of an early Etihad comeback?
“Zero chance,” said one, with the explanation: “That’s why we recalled Gundogan.”
Less tactical verdicts included “Absolutely not” … “Not a prayer” … “I can do a better job”… and “Let’s not lose our heads now”.
Meanwhile, several fans suggested Guardiola would revert to the “double pivot” of fielding two No6s – if Rodri’s injury proves as severe as suspected.
As for neutrals, many will hope the likeable Phillips can turn his career around this term wherever he plays,
And although he was forgotten by some, he was always remembered by ex-Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate – who insisted England never truly replaced the 31-cap ace at his grafting best.
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