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6 hours ago
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Kalvin Phillips, a high-profile signing for Manchester City as recently as 2022, has become one of the most conspicuous casualties of the club’s modern dominance.
Despite being named in City’s Premier League squad for the 2025/26 season, the England international has made zero competitive appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side since December 2023.
His current status is further complicated by a long-term Achilles injury, which required surgery over the summer, meaning he is set to miss the majority of the campaign, effectively being completely absent from the team’s on-field plans.
A career derailed by fitness and tactics
Phillips was brought in to provide an alternative to Rodri, but his career at the Etihad has been defined by bad luck and a tactical mismatch.
Playing Time
He has only made 16 Premier League appearances for Manchester City.
His time away on loan at West Ham United and Ipswich Town did not yield the consistent first-team football required to regain sharpness.
Recent Setback
His current absence is due to a significant Achilles injury sustained towards the end of his loan spell at Ipswich Town, which has kept him sidelined and unable to train fully since May 2025.
This required surgery, effectively ruling him out for the entire first half of City’s season.
Exclusion from Europe
The final insult is his ineligibility for the UEFA Champions League, as he was not named in Manchester City’s European squad, confirming he is completely outside Pep Guardiola’s immediate plans.
Guardiola’s admission and the looming contract question
Manager Pep Guardiola has publicly admitted feeling "bad" about the situation, conceding that he didn't provide Phillips with enough consistent minutes for the player to connect with the team's tactical structure.
Despite the struggles, Phillips remains under contract at Manchester City until June 2028.
With his market value severely depressed by long periods of inactivity, any January loan or sale will be complicated.
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For the club, which is under scrutiny regarding PSR compliance, moving a high-earner with such a major injury history will require careful financial planning.
For Phillips, the immediate goal is full recovery, but the bigger picture is finding a club where he can finally play regular football and prove he can still perform at the peak level that once earned him an England call-up.
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