Man City given Kalvin Phillips verdict that Pep Guardiola might not agree with

Manchester City have been told that Kalvin Phillips should go straight into their midfield ahead of Rodri.

Last Friday, MEN Sport reported that City had come to an agreement with Leeds United over a fee for their defensive midfielder. It is believed that the fee is in the region of £45m.

Although personal terms have yet to be agreed between Phillips and City, it is thought that this agreement will come about quickly. With such a substantial fee likely to be paid out by the Blues, Everton winger Andros Townsend believes that Phillips should be starting at the Etihad next season.

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He explained to talkSPORT : "I would have said it was a bit cheap [proposed transfer fee]. But if you are right in saying he has two years left on his deal, then it makes perfect sense.

"Once you get to two years left, the power goes to the player. It comes out of the club’s hands.

"They are then panicking: ‘If we don’t sell him, if he’s unhappy, then we can’t let him get down to a year because his fee is going to half again.' So I think taking all of the things into consideration, then £42m is the right amount."

"You would like to think if you spend £42m, then you are going to be a starter," Townsend added. " Rodri is a top, top player as well.

"It will be interesting to see how Pep [Guardiola] uses him and how he fits into the system. You start to think, after spending that sort of money, he goes straight into the midfield."

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