Manchester City coaches realised now-Chelsea star was better than Kalvin Phillips almost immediately

Redaction Willow Austin with Freddie Pye
Published on 2024-01-24 13:00:00

Kalvin Phillips had a rocky start to his Manchester City career, according to a recent report. The England international made a big move from Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium in 2022, but appears to be on the verge of leaving the club for a six-month loan deal with West Ham United.

The move to West Ham could offer Phillips a fresh start and a chance to revive his career at the top level. It may also give him an opportunity to make a case for inclusion in the European Championships. Phillips has struggled to secure regular playing time under Pep Guardiola, only featuring in less significant matches.

The report from The Athletic reveals that Manchester City coaches believed that Romeo Lavia, who is now with Chelsea, was better suited to the holding midfield role in Guardiola’s squad than Phillips.

The coaches felt that Phillips struggled to slow down the game and take the ball off the goalkeeper when under pressure from the opposition, a skill that Guardiola was seeking.

Interestingly, Lavia left Manchester City for Southampton just days after Phillips arrived at the club. City had a buy-back clause and a sell-on percentage in Lavia’s deal, however, they lost the opportunity to secure him in the future when he moved to Chelsea a year later in a lucrative deal.

Despite Lavia’s move to Chelsea, it is unlikely that Manchester City would pursue bringing him back to the club given his injury history and the likelihood that the club will explore other options.

Overall, Phillips’ time at Manchester City has been a struggle, and the move to West Ham may provide him with the fresh start he needs to reignite his career and potentially secure a spot in the European Championships.

Read Original article on City Xtra