By Gabriel Agbonlahor

12th Sep, 2023 | 2:57pm

Agbonlahor shares unexpected Kalvin Phillips verdict after what he's seen at Man City

Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed England boss Gareth Southgate is right to keep Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in the squad due to a “lack of options”.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted the pressure will be on Southgate to drop the 27-year-old “every time” unless he gets more game time for City.

Phillips was called up by England for this month’s games against Ukraine and Scotland despite his exclusion at the Etihad Stadium.

The defensive midfielder has played just six minutes of action across all competitions this season and sits behind Rodri in the pecking order.

Phillips has played for treble-winning Man City just 22 times since joining the club for a reported £42million in 2022.

The ex-Leeds United midfielder was widely linked with a potential switch to Liverpool during the summer window, but a move failed to materialise.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think his call-up was more due to a lack of options.

“If we had more central midfielders playing week-in, week-out in the Premier League then Phillips wouldn’t be near the squad.

“Henderson is there, Rice is there. Ward-Prowse isn’t a sitting midfielder, he’s more of an eight.

“I understand why Phillips has been included. If Southgate hasn’t got the options, then what is he to do? He’s got to put him in.

“What I will say is that if he doesn’t get the game time this season, then the pressure will be on the manager to drop him every time.

“Sooner or later, he’ll have to do it.”

In other news, Man City hit the jackpot with £36million+ boost.