Manchester City saw numerous players make moves away from the club during the previous summer transfer window.
On permanent deals, City cashed in on the likes of Julian Alvarez, Liam Delap, Joao Cancelo and Sergio Gomez.
As well as that, the Blues saw various other names wave goodbye to the Etihad Stadium on temporary loans rather than permanent moves.
For example – not for the first time – City loaned Kalvin Phillips out to Ipswich Town for the season.
With the campaign now set to resume again following the final international break of 2024, the midfielder has shed some light on what sort of contact he’s had with the Manchester club since making his move to Ipswich.
- Who is Kalvin Phillips? Get to know the midfielder who could leave Man City in the transfer window
Kalvin Phillips sheds light on Man City talks following Ipswich Town loan move
In a recent interview with the East Anglian Daily Times, Phillips was asked if he had been in contact with City on a regular basis since he joined Ipswich in the summer, sharing this in response.
He said: “Not so much. I’ve spoken to them about a few niggles that I’ve had, but other than that there’s not been conversations about anything else.
“My main aim before the season started was just to play as many games as possible. I just wanted to get the fire back in my belly and that feeling of battling every week.
“Even before I played my first game for Ipswich I felt like the fire was already back. I just felt it from training and the messages I got when I signed.
“Now I’m playing more regularly, I feel I’m getting fitter, playing better and getting more confidence.”
How has Phillips fared at Ipswich so far this season?
Since joining Kieran McKenna’s side, Phillips has appeared in seven of Ipswich’s 11 Premier League matches, starting all seven of them.
| Kalvin Phillips 2024/25 | Appearances | Starts | Yellow Cards | Red Cards | Minutes Played |
| Premier League | 7 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 542 |
| Carabao Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 66 |
Back in October, McKenna discussed Phillips and shared this verdict on the 28-year-old regarding what he’s seen from the midfielder on and off the pitch.
He said: “Kalvin Phillips is settling in well and he’s enjoying it day-to-day here. He is getting fitter and every performance from him has probably been a bit stronger than the last.
“It doesn’t always work like that and it’s not always a perfect line, but we feel if he can keep working as he is, then he has a chance to work himself up to some really good form.
“He’s been important to us.
“Again that [protecting the backline] is one of Kalvin’s big, big strengths – he is very good in front of the back four. He breaks up play really well and he is very mobile in those situations and reads danger well.”
Despite Phillips saying he feels he’s playing better, his performances paint a different picture.
Specifically, WhoScored have given the City loanee an overall performance rating of 6.26/10, making him one of the lowest-rated players in the Ipswich squad who have started more than two league games.
However, with the Englishman saying he’s getting fitter and growing in confidence, this will be what everyone at City would have been hoping for when they loaned him out in the summer.
