MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola has announced that his side will play the World Cup in Qatar. As for Phillips, 27, he comes back weighed down and frustrated when he’s not in the right conditions to play him.
Phillips joined Manchester City from Leeds in the same league in July this year but has yet to start once again in the league with a shoulder injury. At the World Cup he played a total of 40 minutes as a substitute.
Manchester City, who are aiming for a fifth Premier League title in the last six seasons, are in second place, five points behind leaders Arsenal.
“He’s not injured. His back is fat. I don’t know how it happened. He didn’t go to a training session or anything like that. , he didn’t come back in playing condition,” he commented. “So he can’t play. We need him so much and he will play when he is ready.”
Asked if he was disappointed Phillips returned in such condition, the manager said: “It’s a private conversation with Calvin.”
