Reporter suggests Kalvin Phillips could leave after one season at the club

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips could be in line to leave the club this summer after failing to make an impact in the squad.

The 27-year-old has struggled at City since leaving Leeds for Pep Guardiola’s side in the summer. The Euro 2020 finalist left Leeds for an initial fee of £42million in the summer, plus add-ons of £3million.

Injury has hampered his City progress. The England international has registered just 165 minutes on the pitch across eight appearances.

Phillips has made just one start for City, which came in their 2-0 defeat against Southampton that knocked them out of the Carabao Cup. He has spent a large majority of the season so far recovering from a shoulder injury and playing second fiddle to first-choice Rodri, but he has still not proven himself in the short cameos Pep Guardiola has given him.

On deadline day, a bizarre report from The Sun actually claimed that Leeds – along with West Ham and Everton – were in talks with Manchester City over a move to bring him back to Elland Road on loan. City decided to keep Phillips.

Now, according to the Sam Lee of The Athletic, Kalvin Phillips could leave Manchester City in the summer after a disappointing start to his spell with the Premier League champions.

As per the Journalist, there is a feeling that unlike other new arrivals who have thrived with time, Phillips still has work to do to prove himself.

The report was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

@izzy900is: “I really hope this is all speculation to be fair cause Phillps at his best is the closest we’re gonna ever get to a Fernandinho regen.”

@adammcfc: “Can’t see this one working out. The difference in level between him and Rodri is way too much, hence why we need to keep targeting the best..”

@Columbono5: “Awful signing.”

@HenryProudlock: “Was a terrible signing. Poor injury record and never been at the level we required. Madness.”

@StevenMcinerney: “Let him go then. Bring Lavia back. No brainer..”

@RealTalkMCFC: “We need homegrown players… so offering Kalvin Phillips + some money for Declan Rice should be looked at..”

@aXtrips: “Fair enough, sell him and trigger Lavia’s buy back clause.”

@DrJonAitken: “He’s been disappointing, and just don’t quite get why. Very high performer with Leeds, and I’ve got a suspicion if he does move on he’ll definitely be a good signing for someone. However, if Lavia comes back that would be a serious result..”