It’d be an excellent signing’: Presenter claims Everton target could be ‘Barry-esque’ for Dyche
Everton have recently been linked with a move for out-of-favour Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips, and whilst he could prove to be an excellent addition, it would also be a gamble for Sean Dyche.
The midfielder has struggled in Manchester since his move from Leeds last year failing to find his best form or consistent fitness.
Pep Guardiola has clearly lost faith in the player, as he still refused to use him regularly whilst Rodri was suspended, and Phillips’ chances of success appear to be slim as he continues to be linked with a move away.
However, presenter Ben Winstanley has now claimed that the 27-year-old could follow the path of Gareth Barry, who enjoyed an excellent spell at Everton after leaving Man City ten years ago.
Could Kalvin Phillips emulate Gareth Barry?
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the presenter from Everton podcast A View From The Bullens claimed that Phillips could provide a lot of quality as a defensive midfielder like Barry before him.
“I think if we get him on loan it will be a fantastic signing,” he claimed.
“I know there was a lot of murmurs in the summer. I think the thing with Phillips for me is he is an out-and-out number six. He is your Gareth Barry-esque player who will sit in front of the back four and guard that back four. He likes the ball, he likes to play football.
“I think it’d be an excellent signing and I think it takes the pressure off the likes of Onana, Garner, Gueye, because even though Onana can play in a deeper role, I feel like he’s so leggy, so physical, so powerful, that he could be your box-to-box midfielder and he’s got the pace to get back as well to obviously contribute with the defending.”
Phillips compared to Barry
Although there are similarities in the potential deal for Phillips as the one which saw Barry join on loan in 2013, a move for Phillips would be a lot riskier.
Barry had already established himself as a top Premier League midfielder, who found himself out of favour following the arrival of Fernandinho at Man City.
Despite dropping down the pecking order, there were no doubts about Barry’s quality, and his experience also made him a confident leader at Everton.
There are major doubts over Phillips’ fitness and his ability, given that he has not played well at all for City when given a chance.
Barry arrived on loan at a side challenging for a top-four spot, and then made his stay permanent for a fee of £2m.
Even if Everton can land Phillips on an initial loan, it would likely then take a much bigger fee to keep him if they wanted to, and the Englishman would be joining a side likely to be in a relegation battle.
Although there are similarities in playing style, Phillips would come at a much higher cost and with less guarantee of success than Barry did.
