Pep Guardiola’s chat with boss he called ‘world’s best' as Man City transfer ‘nearly done’

Kalvin Phillips’ dream move to Manchester City hasn’t worked out as all parties would’ve hoped. The 31-time England international has failed to make an impact under Pep Guardiola since his £42million switch from Leeds United in 2022.

A disappointing loan spell at West Ham left the champions considering a permanent sale – but they’ve now U-turned, sanctioning a loan move to Ipswich Town. His potential to come good at the top level was spotted years before his move, with Marcelo Bielsa personally informing Guardiola of it.

The City boss, who had previously sought Bielsa’s counsel before embarking on his own illustrious managerial career, revealed after Phillips’ signing: “Marcelo spoke about him three or four years ago in the first or second season he was at Leeds.

“He spoke about him in the Championship, and this was the first time I realised ‘OK, Kalvin Phillips is playing for Leeds’. He spoke with me and said he was a guy who is really, really good and maybe one day – not now for Manchester City – but one day he could play in a top team. And after he proved that Marcelo was not wrong again.”

Guardiola’s respect for Bielsa is well-documented, lauding him as the best coach in world football in 2017. This esteem undoubtedly influenced the decision to bring Phillips on board, hoping he would flourish under Guardiola’s tutelage.

“It is important for me to say this about Marcelo because it doesn’t matter how many titles he had in his career,” Guardiola explained seven years ago. “We are judged by that – how much success we have, how many titles we have won.

“But that is much less influential than how he has influenced football and his football players. That is why, for me, he is the best coach in the world.”

While Guardiola trusted Bielsa’s opinion of Phillips, he’s also backed his abilities himself. After the midfielder’s poor start to life at City, he said: “In the quality of long balls, Kalvin is better than Rodri.

“In shorter spaces and first actions, Rodri is better. Everyone has their own quality, but they can play together especially when you have two holding midfielders.

“He understands where the ball is coming, he is strong in the air and has the quality to break lines to wingers and inside. He has to improve the reception from central defenders, but this is a question of time.

“At Leeds he moved the lateral way, but he has the ability to do it. He had the mentality to train with Marcelo Bielsa with the resilience and fight. I believed he could settle with us, and I am convinced it is going to happen.”

With no option to buy in the deal with Ipswich, it’s clear the temporary exit isn’t the final chapter of his City career just yet. But it may well be the final roll of the dice from Guardiola as he extends his faith in Bielsa’s judgement.