“Everyone is gone on Christmas Holiday, and that’s why I feel this is the right time to come out to the media to tell the world why Pep Guardiola keeps on benching me”- Manchester City FLOP Kelvin Phillips speaks out about why he lost his starting spot to Ake and Akanji
Newcastle and Juventus are among the teams interested in recruiting the England midfielder on a loan deal that would last until the end of the season. Kalvin Phillips has informed Manchester City that he is prepared to depart in January.
Pep Guardiola has made it apparent that Phillips is not a part of his plans, even though he has given him four substitute outings in the Premier League this year. The 28-year-old, who failed to make an impact in the first team under Guardiola since his £42 million move from Leeds in the summer of 2022, is rumoured to have acknowledged he must leave City in order to guarantee his spot in England’s squad for Euro 2024.
In spite of City’s desire to find a buyer if at all feasible, Phillips’ representatives are rumoured to have spoken with the club in recent days in an effort to find him a new home and anticipate that the treble champions will approve a loan. There doesn’t seem to be any chance for him to stay at the Etihad under Guardiola, but it’s unclear if any arrangement would contain a permanent option.
Newcastle has long had an eye on Phillips and wants to bolster their midfield following Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban for breaking betting regulations in October. Although it will be difficult for Eddie Howe’s team to make a deal within their tight financial fair play budget, they seem to be the front-runners. Although Phillips’ representatives have been in communication with Juventus to discuss a short-term deal, it is uncertain whether he would be ready to move abroad at this point in his career. A number of other Premier League teams are rumoured to have expressed interest.
His £130,000 weekly wage is another possible roadblock, as City is expected to insist that most, if not all, of it be paid for.
Despite Phillips’ lack of playing time for his club, Gareth Southgate kept him in his squad and expressed hope in November that he might find a solution. The England manager remarked, “I’m sure he, Pep, and Txiki [Begiristain] will discuss the best route forward.” He was our player of the year a few years ago, so we are aware of the calibre of his ability. Although there aren’t many players at the level who can play in his position, we’d like to see him in better rhythm.
Reece James, another England international, is scheduled to have surgery for a hamstring issue, which could sideline the Chelsea captain for up to four months.
The right-back has received evaluations about the issue, and it is believed that the Stamford Bridge team needed time to identify the most qualified surgeon to do the surgery before deciding on a final course of action. James will go to Finland for the surgery after hobbling off during Chelsea’s loss to Everton earlier this month.
Ousmane Demélé of Paris Saint-Germain has undergone hamstring surgery twice in Finland, where medical care is among the best in the world.
In the last three years, James has sustained seven hamstring strains but has eschewed surgery. After suffering a hamstring injury in August, he didn’t play again until October. Before he was sent off against Everton, he had appeared to lack focus.
