61 Days Before The 2022 World Cup: Pep Guardiola Talks About Kalvin Philips' Chance To Play For England

Manchester City player, Kalvin Phillips. (Photo: Instagram.com/@kalvinphilips)

JAKARTA - Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola still believes that Kalvin Phillips still has a chance to defend the England national team in the 2022 World Cup. Currently, the Citizens player is suffering from a shoulder injury.

This is not the first time Phillips has suffered a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old player had previously recovered and was included in the Man City squad against Borussia Dortmund, in the middle of last week.

However, when The Citizens beat Wolverhampton 3-0 on Saturday, September 17 last in the Premier League week, Phillips disappeared again. Guardiola reveals that Phillips' shoulder injury has returned.

According to the manager, the only way to make Phillips fully recovered is to undergo surgery.

''It was the same problem as he had, a shoulder injury. Maybe he will need a medical operation in the next few days," Guardiola said as quoted by ESPN.

"When your injury is repeated three to four times, the only solution is surgery."

The condition of the shoulder injury experienced by Phillips made him threatened not to be able to strengthen the England national team in the 2022 World Cup finals. Understandably, this grand tournament will be held in two months.

In fact, the former Leeds United player was forced to withdraw from the England national team's training camp which will continue to carry out the UEFA Nations League, later this month.

However, Guardiola remains optimistic that Phillips still has a chance to appear at the 2022 World Cup. The player will recover in time.

"I don't know (how long Phillips will be out). I'm not a doctor. However, he seems to have recovered before the World Cup," said the Spaniard.

"I think the opportunity for him to appear in the World Cup is still there," he continued.