Lines are blurred sometimes when it comes to the distinction between constructive criticism and people just being mean.
Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Philips felt this way at one point under Pep Guardiola.
The 27-year-old is starring in the eponymous' "Kalvin Phillips: The Road to City" documentary on Prime Video, and there, he recalled how he was deemed overweight by Guardiola and not in the right condition to play.
He shared that his comment about his weight took a toll on his mental health.
"To be honest, [the criticism] was a little hard to take, just because of how much it was oversized and how many people started talking about it," he said during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.
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He insisted, however, that Guardiola's comments were for him to get better.
"I know the manager made his comments but I respected them. I, for me, wasn't overweight, but obviously, the manager saw it in a different way. I took it, did my best to try and get as fit as possible and I was on the bench for the Leeds game straight after that."
Will he remain with City next season?
Philips' time with City was not as productive as everyone expected after being bought for $54 million.
Pep Guardiola said he will discuss his contract at the end of the 2023 season, although the club has yet to say anything.
For his part, Philips thinks one season is not enough to judge whether the stay is a success or a failure.
"My intention is to stay there," he said last month.
"We have just won the Treble, so there is no reason for me to leave."
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