Kalvin Phillips ready for heart-to-heart with Pep Guardiola over Man City future
Kalvin Phillips insists he has no intention of quitting Manchester City despite his lack of game time.
The England midfielder is planning talks with boss Pep Guardiola on how he can get more minutes after starting just three games all season for City. Phillips, 27, played less than 600 minutes despite the Blues winning the Treble in a marathon season of 61 games.
The former Leeds star admitted he arrived at the club with a hamstring injury after his £42million move and then a shoulder problem stifled his chances. But even when fit in the second half of the campaign he was constantly overlooked.
Yet he has no intention of walking away – despite interest from West Ham over a potential exchange deal involving Declan Rice if City firm up their interest – and pointed to the struggles of Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake early in their City careers as a reason to stay positive after both played a pivotal role in this season.
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He said: “My intention is to stay there. We have just won the Treble, so there is no reason for me to leave other than if I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it.
“I cannot give it 12 months and say I am not playing so I am going to leave. As you have seen with many players at City, it can take quite a while to cement yourself into the team.
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“Hopefully I will enjoy my off season and then work hard when I get back. I spoke to quite a few of the players about it. Nathan Ake being one. Jack.
“They all said the same, they all said the first 12 months were the hardest of their City careers but after that it doesn’t become easy, but easier.
“I’m just going to go away for the off-season and enjoy myself with my family and girlfriend and friends and then come back fighting.”
(Image: Getty Images)
But Phillips does want to sit down with club boss Guardiola on his return from holiday next month to thrash out some plans to get into the team after a season where he has lost his spot in the England starting XI.
He said: “I will definitely speak to Pep. I don’t know whether it will be in the summer because everyone enjoys their downtime and everyone wants their space away from football so I’ll probably leave it until I go back for pre-season. But I’ll just speak to him and have a good conversation.”
