Pep Guardiola has been praised for his tactical genius (Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Kalvin Phillips has admitted to being completely "gobsmacked" by the strategic genius of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. The 28-year-old midfielder, who is currently on loan at Ipswich Town, has had limited opportunities for regular play at City despite helping the team clinch both the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Following an short loan with West Ham, Phillips is now on a season-long stint at Ipswich. Amazed by Guardiola's tactical brilliance, the 28-year-old recounted his astonishment with the Spanish guru's ability to foresee on-pitch scenarios even before they unfolded.
Phillips recalled a 2022 game against West Ham - which City won 2-0 - where Guardiola anticipated game events in astonishing detail, two days prior to the match. The former Leeds man expressed his disbelief, as he said: "The first game we played, West Ham away, he literally told the team in a meeting, probably two days before how the game was going to play out.
"[Guardiola] said: 'West Ham are going to start well. They're going to put us under pressure and then we're going to have a little bit of time, we're going to get opportunities to get the ball to Kevin (De Bruyne), and then if Kevin plays it behind for Erling and then we're more than likely going to score'.
"He just mentioned different ways that we could attack and then how they're going to press us and then you'd seen it happen in real life. And I was just sat there like, 'this is ridiculous'. I couldn't believe it.
"At one point I was gobsmacked, I just worked it out and I could see exactly what he was saying happening on the pitch."
Kalvin Phillips remains astounded by Guardiola's brilliance (Image: Getty)
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While Phillips has been open about his high regard for Guardiola's brilliant tactical mind, his stint at City has been far from serene, having found it tough to secure a spot in Guardiola's starting lineup. The talented midfielder has racked up a mere 31 appearances for City, with just one goal during his tenure.
Now, as he's honing his skills at Ipswich during a loan spell, many are wondering if this could be the very opportunity Phillips needs to reignite his spark and firmly establish himself in Guardiola's impressive team. Phillips will return to West Ham with Ipswich on Saturday, as his new team take on his old one in a crunch fixture before the international break.
At the same time, Guardiola's City side will be hoping to make amends for recent draws against Arsenal and Newcastle by securing all three points when they host Fulham at the Etihad.
