Manchester City were reportedly open to selling Kalvin Phillips this summer, just 12 months after he joined the club.
There was great optimism when City signed Phillips for £42m from Leeds United last summer.
The English midfielder had enjoyed another impressive campaign for his hometown club and had established himself as a regular fixture in Gareth Southgate’s England side.
City had identified the need to bring in a player to help ease the playing burden on Rodri, particularly after the departure of Fernandinho.
Rodri was and is a key member of Pep Guardiola’s side, and there was a clear drop-off in team performances when the veteran club captain replaced him in the starting XI.
The acquisition of 26-year-old Phillips – one of the Premier League’s best midfielders and approaching his peak years – was supposed to help, but in fact it did the opposite.
The Yorkshireman’s early months were hampered by injuries, and when he was in the squad, there was concern among City’s staff that he was nowhere near the level expected of him.
When Phillips returned from the 2022 Qatar World Cup overweight, alarm bells started to ring.
Over the course of the campaign, Phillips appeared in 21 of City’s 61 games in all competitions, starting just four.
Rodri, the man he was meant to ease the burden on, registered a squad-high 56 appearances.
City wanted to sell
City and Guardiola were so unimpressed that according to The Athletic, they were open to selling Phillips this summer.
The arrival of Mateo Kovacic – who can in both attacking and holding positions – has increased competition for minutes for the England man.
Clubs including Newcastle and West Ham were interested in Phillips, but he scuppered any possibility of a move by sharing his desperation to stay at the Etihad Stadium and prove himself this season.
MCN view: Phillips future uncertain
While it looks unlikely Phillips will leave City this summer, it remains to be seen if he will experience the second season bounce often enjoyed by new arrivals at the club.
If he doesn’t improve significantly, then the champions might have to overrule his insistence on staying.
