Kalvin Phillips spent the entire 3-1 triumph over West Ham by Manchester City under Pep Guardiola’s direction on the sidelines.
Although named as a replacement, the England international did not play.
The 27-year-old has started very occasionally for Manchester City in the Premier League since his £45 million transfer from Leeds United in July 2022.
In 2022–23, Phillips made just two Premier League starts. This season, he is yet to appear in the Premier League.
However, with Mateo Kovacic and Kevin De Bruyne both out injured at the London Stadium, the Yorkshire Pirlo, as he was affectionately known at Elland Road, must have anticipated seeing some action on Saturday.
Phillips was ready to take over because he also started England’s 3-1 triumph over Scotland on Tuesday.
Even when Erling Haaland secured all three points in the 86th minute, Guardiola decided not to give him even a quick cameo, which must have infuriated the Manchester City No. 4 in east London.
There are rumors that Kalvin Phillips will leave Manchester City.
An unnamed football agent has proposed that Phillips leave the Etihad Stadium in January due to his lack of playing time.
The unidentified person participated in The Athletic’s study of the summer transfer window and voted for Phillips in the section devoted to the transfers that are most likely to occur in January.
We are compelled to agree.
It all boils down to what Phillips wants at this stage of his career in the end.
The Leeds-born genius has a choice between remaining at Manchester City and maybe achieving a sextuple of trophies this year or departing to establish himself elsewhere as a key player, as he did in Yorkshire.
Phillips was not selected by Guardiola on Saturday, so hopefully he is not too discouraged.
