In the end, maybe Kalvin Phillips' misfortune at Manchester City boiled down to two simple facts - he is not Rodri and he plays in the same position as Pep Guardiola did.
City spent £45m to sign Phillips on a six-year deal from Leeds just 18 months ago but the midfielder is now on the brink of joining West Ham on loan for the rest of the season.
As has been the case periodically during that time, Guardiola was asked for the specific flaw that has condemned Phillips - one of the standout performers in England's run to the Euro 2020 final and still a part of Gareth Southgate's squad - to just two Premier League starts out of a potential 58.