![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola has admitted Manchester City may need to seek a replacement for Kalvin Phillips in January if the England midfielder moves on.<\/p>\n
Phillips, 28, is expected to leave the Etihad next month in search of regular first-team football, having been unable to force his way into Guardiola\u2019s side in the 18 months since his \u00a342million switch from Leeds.<\/p>\n
And while Guardiola insisted he was not thinking about the January market, that might change if he was left short of numbers in midfield, where City have struggled any time their regular enforcer Rodri has been missing through injury or suspension.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now I don\u2019t have anything in my mind,\u201d Guardiola said. \u201cIt depends if they leave or don\u2019t leave. Some players stay, some players leave. It depends on the squad, it depends on young players and if you can rely on them or not in some moments.\u201d<\/p>\n
Only last week, Guardiola appeared to effectively confirm Phillips would not be able to turn things around at City, saying: \u201cI visualise the team and I struggle a little bit to see him (in it).\u201d<\/p>\n
Several clubs have been linked with a January move for the Yorkshireman.<\/p>\n
Asked specifically if Phillips\u2019 situation could change things for City, Guardiola said: \u201cKalvin is a player with us, I don\u2019t want to anticipate absolutely anything. Everyone knows the situation he has.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt depends if it happens. If it happens we talk. The market in January is not easy\u2026We still have incredible things to play for, and after we decide.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next week City will be playing for the Club World Cup for the first time in their history after last season\u2019s treble success.<\/p>\n
The team are due to fly to Saudi Arabia after Saturday\u2019s match against Crystal Palace \u2013 with both Erling Haaland and the injured Kevin De Bruyne due to make the trip regardless of whether they will be fit to play.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a competition we have never won, everyone will be there,\u201d Guardiola said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want the players not to be desperate to win, (but) to play two games, win the first one and get the credit to play the final. If we don\u2019t win it, hopefully we win the Champions League in the future to be back. Two football games, do what we have to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe learn from the Champions League in the past. In life you don\u2019t know what will happen\u2026 the motivation, the feeling we\u2019ve never won, it\u2019s important. Winning helps to win. Winning against Palace will help by far.\u201d<\/p>\n
As enticing as the prize on offer next week is, Guardiola warned against looking past Saturday\u2019s match.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is my job, I will warn (the players) or let them know,\u201d he said. \u201cIt has always been difficult with Roy (Hodgson), or Patrick (Vieira) before, Crystal Palace have always been tough.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone has to be involved to play quick, be patient, transitions, set-pieces, good on second balls, the physicality is amazing. Always we struggle.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Selhurst Park it\u2019s normal, but at Selhurst Park we perform better than at the Etihad. It happened, we lost a lot of points, they do it really well.\u201d<\/p>\n