Pirlo Rejects Comparison With Manchester City Midfielder Dubbed After Him

• Andrea Pirlo made a name as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation playing in Italy
• His influence has rubbed off on the next generation of midfielders who get called after him
• He has rejected comparisons between him and a Manchester City midfielder who is called after him

Andrea Pirlo is one of the greatest midfielders of all time and one of the greatest Italian footballers ever, having enjoyed a very successful club and national team career.

He spent most of his playing career in his home country of Italy and the final few years at Major League Soccer in the USA.

He played across several midfield positions but is best as a central midfielder as a deep-lying playmaker, where he was able to utilise his technique, creativity, vision and passing range to influence the game.

Pirlo rejects Phillips' comparison

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It has become a thing for young players to get compared to players of the previous generation. As noted by Goal, former Chelsea midfielder Marko Marin was referred to as German Messi for similarities to Lionel Messi.

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Philips is dubbed Yorkshire Pirlo, a name that originated from his hometown and for similarities to the Italian. However, the former Juventus manager has rejected the comparison in an interview quoted by Express.

“He's a very good player, but he doesn't have my quality. He plays very well in the same position. But we don't have the same skills,” he said.

It was not the first time the AC Milan legend would comment on the matter, as previously done in a different interview.

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“It’s true - in England, there’s never been this kind of player. There have been great midfielders over the years with different skills. There’s the boy at Leeds (Phillips), who’s a bit of a regista (playmaker). But we’re a bit different. He doesn’t have the same characteristics I had,” he added.

Pirlo: Juventus mock United over Pogba

Sports Brief earlier reported that Andrea Pirlo revealed Juventus mocked Manchester United for allowing Paul Pogba to leave the club on a free transfer.

Pogba left Manchester United as a teenager in 2012 and joined the Bianconeri. Pirlo revealed everyone marveled at his talents in his first training and wondered why he was released.

The French midfielder rejoined Manchester United for £89m in 2016 and yet again rejoined Juventus at the beginning of the season after running down his contract.