Pep Guardiola substitutions show where Kalvin Phillips really stands in Man City plans
This was another game without Rodri - Manchester City's fifth such occasion this season - as the Spaniard served a one-match suspension. Kalvin Phillips started the first of those five games but hasn't started since, with Guardiola playing five others in defensive midfield since from the start. Manu Akanji and Bernardo Silva have also played midfield roles in recent weeks, suggesting Phillips is at least sixth in the midfield hierarchy and potentially as low as eighth. Guardiola named Nathan Ake as another capable of playing in that position on Tuesday, too.
