'He has to earn it' - Pep Guardiola issues Man City reality check to Kalvin Phillips

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Pep Guardiola refused to confirm whether Kalvin Phillips has a long-term future at Manchester City, telling the England midfielder that he has to earn his place in the team just like everyone else.

Phillips is still waiting for his first Premier League start for City since signing from Leeds in the summer, and has only played 102 minutes across eight substitute appearances, with only two starts in 17 total outings, averaging 23 minutes.

It feels unlikely that Phillips will get many more opportunities to impress Guardiola in the final eight games of the season, and he has been linked with a potential summer exit in some reports.

Speaking ahead of City's penultimate Premier League home game of the season against Phillips' former club Leeds, the manager was asked if the midfielder realistically has a future at the Etihad past the summer, but couldn't offer any guarantees to the out-of-favour midfielder. ALSO READ: Guardiola dismisses Madrid selection theory ahead of Leeds clash "I understand.