Kalvin Phillips says Pep Guardiola's comment last year about his weight was the most difficult moment of 18 months at Manchester City before moving to West Ham United on loan last month.
Phillips, 28, represented England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but returned home heavier than his club's target. Guardiola responded by calling him “overweight” and said he was not in good condition to train.
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“After the World Cup, it was probably the hardest [period]”, when Pep came out and said I was overweight… He was right to do it, but there are different ways to do it,” Phillips said.
“I didn't disagree with him, but obviously my confidence and how I felt at City took a big hit. And my family wasn't happy about it either. Especially my mother.
“It was just a misunderstanding and I think he was very frustrated that I was 1.5kg over my goal weight.”
Phillips has endured a difficult start to life at West Ham as he bids to retain his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad ahead of the European Championship in Germany this summer.
Guardiola’s weight comment knocked my confidence – Phillips
Guardiola’s weight comment knocked my confidence – Phillips،
Kalvin Phillips says Pep Guardiola's comment last year about his weight was the most difficult moment of 18 months at Manchester City before moving to West Ham United on loan last month.
Phillips, 28, represented England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but returned home heavier than his club's target. Guardiola responded by calling him “overweight” and said he was not in good condition to train.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)
“After the World Cup, it was probably the hardest [period]”, when Pep came out and said I was overweight… He was right to do it, but there are different ways to do it,” Phillips said.
“I didn't disagree with him, but obviously my confidence and how I felt at City took a big hit. And my family wasn't happy about it either. Especially my mother.
“It was just a misunderstanding and I think he was very frustrated that I was 1.5kg over my goal weight.”
Phillips has endured a difficult start to life at West Ham as he bids to retain his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad ahead of the European Championship in Germany this summer.
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