Kalvin Phillips has one race ahead of him to be fit for the World Championship
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he was left with no choice but to send Kalvin Phillips for shoulder surgery that will put the midfielder ahead of a World Cup fitness race.
Phillips has managed three substitute appearances for City since his £45million summer move from Leedswhich accounts for less than 20 minutes playing time.
“The doctor says if you’ve lost a shoulder four times, only one operation will help,” said Guardiola.
The manager said it had been a frustrating start to Phillips’ City career, adding: “Definitely. Also for us.
“We need him. Rodri can’t play all the games. Kalvin came to fight for a position.”
The 26-year-old was substituted on in injury time in the Champions League Victory against Borussia Dortmund He didn’t make the City squad for the Premier League on Wednesday Victory at Wolves on Saturday.
Phillips has not fully recovered from a shoulder problem he picked up in a season-ending game for Leeds against West Brom in May 2021, which nearly prevented him from appearing at Euro 2020.
Former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa considered sending him for surgery last season. Now Guardiola has been told it is inevitable, meaning Phillips will miss this month’s Nations League clashes with Italy and Germany.
There are just over nine weeks until England’s World Cup opener against Iran on 21 November and while the City manager hopes Phillips will recover in time, he can give no guarantees.
“I think so, but I’m not a doctor,” said Guardiola when asked if Phillips would be fit for the tournament in Qatar.
Comments are closed.