Pep Guardiola has admitted he 'would love' to give Kalvin Phillips as many opportunities as possible, but acknowledged he faced a difficult task in displacing Rodri from Manchester City's XI.
The England international arrived at the Etihad last year from Leeds in a £45million deal, but has struggled to make an impact with the Premier League champions and is expected to leave in January.
The 27-year-old had to wait until May to make his first Premier League start for the club and has played just 89 minutes across four league appearances so far this term.