According to a report from Sky Sport, Kalvin Phillips has secured a temporary transfer to West Ham United from Manchester City, lasting until the conclusion of this season. This decision follows Pep Guardiola’s acknowledgment in December that he cannot foresee including the English midfielder in his squad. Additionally, there is no option for the Hammers to sign him permanently in the summer meaning the former Leeds United captain will be back at the Etihad looking to exit again.
Challenges for Kalvin Phillips at Manchester City
Kalvin Phillips was still grappling with challenges in establishing a consistent role within Pep Guardiola‘s Etihad squad. The English midfielder participated in only 10 matches across various competitions this season, making a total of 31 appearances for City since his £45 million transfer from Leeds in July 2022.
Despite his unwavering dedication, the 27-year-old frequently found himself on the sidelines, resulting in a somewhat limited impact in the current Premier League campaign. His averages of 0.7 tackles, 0.3 interceptions, and 0.7 successful dribbles per game in the league underscore his restricted playing time. Nevertheless, his noteworthy strength lies in midfield distribution, as evidenced by an impressive 90% pass completion rate in England’s top flight (statistics sourced from whoscored).
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Phillips showcases adeptness in tackling and exhibits the ability to make pivotal interceptions when consistently participating in matches. He willingly eliminates threats when needed and stands out as a precise passer.
Functioning as a holding midfielder, Phillips demonstrates versatility by seamlessly transitioning into a center-back or a box-to-box midfielder as the situation demands. His potent and accurate long-range shots contribute an additional layer to his skill set.
West Ham can anticipate an infusion of increased aggression and resilience in David Moyes’ midfield with the inclusion of Phillips. At 28, he is currently at the peak of his abilities and holds the potential to make an immediate impact at the London Stadium. Furthermore, this move represents the optimal choice for the England international, who is seeking regular playing time in preparation for the upcoming European Championship campaign this summer.
