Dietmar Hamann confused by Man City's move for 'fourth-choice' Phillips

The Citizens added another highly-rated Premier League star to their star-studded midfield unit.

Kalvin Phillips will have a hard time of getting enough game time at Manchester City, according to Dietmar Hamann.

Phillips completed a £45 million move to join the Citizens earlier this summer. He joins a host of top-level midfielders at Etihad, with City having a few usual starters with similar profiles to him.

Speaking to Genting Casino, former Liverpool and Man City star Hamann questioned Pep Guardiola’s decision to sign a new midfielder.

He said: “Fernandinho hardly played in the last couple of seasons, so I’m not sure where he’s [Phillips] going to play. He has had injuries as well.

SurfsharkVPN — All you need in a VPN — and more

“In Rodri they have got the best midfielder next to Fabinho in the Premier League – even Gundogan couldn’t get a game at times.

“When you look at City, their strength has always been getting goals from midfield. When they play with Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, I think these guys got 25 goals between them in the last season and I don’t think Phillips is that player. He has got to add another dimension to his game if he wants to succeed at City.

“Is he a good squad player? Yes, he is. Is he bought as a squad player? I’m not sure he is. It is a lot of money for somebody who is probably the third or fourth choice behind Silva, Gundogan and whoever plays there.

“I’m just not sure he is the type of player they need because they like to retain the ball, pass the ball, and I think he has to add another dimension to his game – and he has to add goals.

“He has also had quite a few injuries and never played European football at Leeds. He will have to perform when he does play, and that is another challenge in itself.”