Alan Shearer admits ‘I was surprised’ after Pep Guardiola claimed Kalvin Phillips was ‘overweight’

Alan Shearer revealed his surprise at Pep Guardiola’s comments on Kalvin Phillips’ weight after he returned from World Cup duty with England in Qatar. 

Manchester City boss Guardiola said that the midfielder had come back to the club ‘overweight’ and the Spaniard has come in for heavy criticism for his comments. 

Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys claimed he ‘exposed Kalvin Phillips to ridicule’, and Shearer agreed that Guardiola’s words might ’embarrass him to a certain extent.’ 

Pep Guardiola said that Kalvin Phillips was ‘overweight’ after returning from World Cup duty

‘I was surprised,’ Shearer said as part of Amazon’s coverage of City’s clash with Leeds on Wednesday night. ‘I don’t know why he said it – I’m guessing there must have been a reason. 

‘Maybe embarrass him to a certain extent – has he been disappointed in his attitude? Whether he’s firing something back at him. 

‘It hasn’t gone as well as one would hope – whether that be for injury or some other reason. There must be a reason.’

Alan Shearer admitted that the Spanish coach’s comments left him ‘surprised’

Having joined the Etihad in July 2022, the ex-Leeds midfielder has endured a torrid start to his career at the reigning Premier League champions. 

Phillips has made just four appearances for his new club so far in 2022-23, having struggled with injury on a regular basis. 

He missed 11 games as a result of a shoulder injury which had initially left his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad in peril, but he managed to recover in time to make the final 26-man squad.