According to a report from The Sun, Kalvin Phillips is on the verge of leaving Manchester City in January, as he has faced challenges in securing playing opportunities under the management of Pep Guardiola. During the summer, Newcastle United expressed their interest in Phillips. Additionally, Arsenal, West Ham, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich displayed varying levels of interest in the player.
Even with Rodri suspended in recent weeks, the City manager, rather than Phillips, has chosen to deploy teenager Rico Lewis. In the recent Premier League fixture against Arsenal, the former Leeds player was left on the bench and remained an unused substitute as the champions suffered a 1-0 defeat. This makes it evident that the former Leeds United captain’s future remains uncertain at the Etihad Stadium.
Phillips’ On Going Struggles At Manchester City
Phillips has experienced a challenging period at Man City, struggling to secure a regular spot in Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup. The English midfielder has featured in just five matches for his current club this season across all competitions.
The 27-year-old has predominantly been a substitute, which might explain his relatively modest statistical contributions in the Premier League, averaging 0.7 tackles, 0.3 interceptions, and 0.7 successful dribbles per game. Notably, his precision in distributing the ball from midfield remains strong, with a pass completion rate of 90% in the English top flight (statistics sourced from whoscored).
Despite having a contract that extends to the summer of 2028, City’s management is also considering the possibility of transferring the player, potentially resulting in a more reasonable transfer fee.
Is It A Good Decision From Pep Guardiola To Consider Selling Him In January?
Phillips is a resilient midfielder with a sharp ability to read the game and regain possession efficiently in the heart of the midfield. He doesn’t shy away from making strong clearances when the opposing team exerts pressure. While his primary role is that of a defensive midfielder, he possesses the versatility to adapt as a central defender or even operate as a box-to-box midfielder, following his manager’s instructions.
The English talent excels in passing the ball, yet his less-than-ideal injury history makes him a potentially precarious choice for prospective suitors to contemplate in the upcoming January transfer window.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to recognize that Phillips possesses a considerable level of skill and considerable untapped potential. His aptitude for securing possession and orchestrating the play, along with his capability to drive it forward, could make him a valuable addition to any team. While Pep Guardiola‘s perspective has limited Phillips’ chances at Manchester City, it doesn’t imply that other clubs won’t find great value in his services.
