admin The Manchester City midfielder has not got as much game time under his belt as initially envisaged since his move last summer from Leeds United.
Calvin Phillips has insisted he wants to remain at Manchester City as he wants to be the last player to bounce back after a difficult first season at the Etihad Stadium and is not looking to break new ground.
The England international joined from Leeds United via the Pennines last summer, but injuries and selection decisions cut his playing time. Phillips, 27, made just two starts in the Premier League as City beat all opponents to a historic treble.
He made 21 appearances for City, most of them on the bench, before making his first appearance for England in a 7-0 victory over North Macedonia in a Euro 2024 qualifier at Old Trafford on Monday. Finished the season with a goal. But he has no intention of leaving City and has vowed to stay with Pep Guardiola over the summer.
“Honestly, I was injured even before I joined City. That’s one of the main reasons why I’ve been injured so many times,” he said. “City helped me get back to full fitness and I ended up playing a few more games for City and England.
“My intention is to stay there. I just won the Triple Crown so there’s no reason to go unless I’m not playing, but of course I have to think about it.
“I cannot give it 12 months and say, ‘I am not playing so I am going to leave’. I came to Manchester City to win trophies and we won the trophies, but I didn’t play as much as I wanted to do.
“With England I played a little bit, but was ruled out through injuries as well. It is just nice to be back fit. I have nothing to worry about now. Everything is fine with my body. I will continue to work hard next season and hopefully do well when I go back to City.”
Phillips said he has spoken to Nathan Ayke and fellow England international Jack Grealish. The pair also needed time to adapt to the way manager Pep Guardiola wanted City to play. Asked if he was sure he wasn’t the only one who needed time, the midfielder said: “I’d like to think so, to be honest. All I know is how difficult it is for Pep to understand how he wants to play and how quickly he has to adapt to his system.
“I am on the brink of almost getting it. Obviously there is a little bit of work in pre-season and hopefully be all right.
“As you have seen with many players at City, it can take quite a while to cement yourself into the team. Hopefully I will enjoy my off-season and then work hard when I get back.
“I spoke to quite a few of the players about it. Nathan Ake being one, Jack, they all said the same, they all said the first 12 months were the hardest of their City careers but after that, it doesn’t become easy, but easier.
“I’m just going to go away for the off-season and enjoy myself with my family and girlfriend and friends and then come back fighting. I will definitely speak to Pep.
“I don’t know whether it will be in the summer because everyone enjoys their downtime and everyone wants their space away from football, so I’ll probably leave it until I go back for pre-season but I’ll just speak to him and have a good conversation.”
