Man City boss Pep Guardiola makes big transfer admission that will shock and relieve West Ham fans in equal measure ahead of clash
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has made a big transfer admission that will shock and relieve West Ham fans in equal measure ahead of their clash.
Declan Rice was set to leave West Ham this summer, and it was generally rumoured that David Moyes preferred Kalvin Phillips, a midfielder for Manchester City.
Fans of West Ham will recall the team’s unsuccessful attempt to sign Phillips while he was still at Leeds.
The Elland Road team turned down an offer from West Ham and then sold the English midfielder to Man City for $10 million less.
As The Daily Mail at the time noted, Moyes even acknowledged West Ham had offered more to Leeds for Phillips than Man City.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola makes big transfer admission that will shock and relieve West Ham fans in equal measure ahead of clash
An insider on the Hammers board confirmed West Ham’s desire to re-sign Phillips from Man City this summer.
Nevertheless, Phillips stayed at the club despite a disastrous first season at the Etihad, during which Pep Guardiola even referred to him as “overweight.”
In the end, Moyes decided to replace Rice by signing James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez.
Rice had been mentioned in relation to Man City, which was possibly Guardiola’s biggest hint to Phillips that he was unnecessary.
Of course, they also made a very unwanted offer for Lucas Paqueta of the Hammers, but it was rejected after the Brazilian was accused of betting.
Guardiola: He told me ‘no, I want to stay’
Guardiola, the manager of Man City, has since made a significant transfer revelation that will simultaneously relieve and shock West Ham supporters before of their match.
After having back surgery, the Spaniard, who is now back in charge at West Ham, claims he informed Phillips he could depart in the summer due to interest from teams like the Hammers and others.
We discussed the possibility of him going on loan with the club because he wasn’t getting a lot of playing time, but he made the decision to stay instead. According to MEN, Guardiola remarked, “He is more than welcome.
“I don’t know what is going to happen (in the future) but it is important for him, and for me as well, to have this good performance. He can improve, because the dynamics he came from was completely the opposite.
“He stayed with us and the players we have the squad that are now injured, it is important that he is ready.”
Phillips would have meant no Alvarez or Ward-Prowse for West Ham – and that doesn’t bear thinking about
Guardiola’s revelation is unexpected, especially considering how little he indicated that he wanted Phillips to stay for the long term.
Particularly in light of his recent declaration that he did not want any more of his midfielders to leave.
The fact that Phillips didn’t want to leave, though, will undoubtedly be a tremendous relief to West Ham supporters.
Because neither Alvarez nor Ward-Prowse would have played for West Ham if the Hammers had signed Phillips.
That doesn’t bear thinking about, especially given the strong start they’ve both had working with Paqueta.
Despite getting little playing time, Phillips was ironically chosen for England ahead of Ward-Prowse.
