Since moving from Leeds United to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in 2022, the 27-year-old has played fewer than 700 minutes of football.
And, on Sunday, things went from bad to worse for Kalvin Phillips as he watched Bernardo Silva, Rico Lewis and John Stones used as the number six against Arsenal in the absence of the suspended Rodri.
Amid calls for the England midfielder to leave in January, a possible return to Leeds United was talked about, but Jason Cundy says he wouldn’t want to drop down to the Championship, as he told talkSPORT.
If the Whites were still a Premier League side, then a loan move back to where it all started would have been very wise for the Elland Road favourite.
But with Euro 2024 coming up, Kalvin Phillips can’t risk dropping down a division, even though Gareth Southgate picks players who hardly play.
Kalvin Phillips’ return to Leeds?
“I don’t think he wants to go back there,” said Cundy. “The reason why is that he has the Euros coming up. He’s squeaking into the England squad now and he can’t get a game at Man City.
“If he goes down to the Championship, I am not sure that helps his cause.”
Phillips lucky to be in the England squad
This coming week, England will play Australia and Italy, and Southgate will continue to pick Phillips.
Despite James Ward-Prowse’s excellent play, the Three Lions manager has once again neglected the West Ham star.
Simple enough: Phillips was really fortunate to be chosen, and if his club position doesn’t get better, this obviously can’t go on.
