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Published on 2024-02-09 11:00:00
Kalvin Phillips had an unhappy 18 months at Manchester City, feeling the need to move on in order to start enjoying his football again. In January, he joined West Ham United on loan for the rest of the season, seeking to play a more significant role in the game. Despite possessing various winners’ medals for competitions such as the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Club World Cup, Phillips only played a small part in Pep Guardiola’s side, making a total of just 31 appearances and playing a mere 911 minutes of football.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, who was once part of the West Ham team, heard the news of Phillips’ move to his former team and messaged West Ham coach Kevin Nolan with a strong recommendation for Phillips. Nolan revealed that Rice, who had worked closely with him for a few years, had texted him saying: “Look after Kalv, he is a great lad, you’ll enjoy working with him.” Nolan added that he had enjoyed working with Phillips and confirmed that the gaffer also saw potential in him but agreed that he needed time to adjust to his current environment.
However, Phillips’ start at the London Stadium has been difficult as he has looked substandard in his first two matches, even leading directly to a conceded goal in his second against Manchester United. Nolan attributes this to rustiness and thinks that, with time, Phillips may rediscover his old form. Nonetheless, West Ham might not be inclined to sign him permanently if his performance doesn’t improve. This would imply a potential return to Manchester City, where he is under contract until 2028.
Nolan also noted that Phillips’ performance could lead to him being back on City’s bench next season if he doesn’t demonstrate improvement quickly. Therefore, his future remains uncertain and much will depend on his adaptation to his new environment.
Read Original article on Manchester City News
