Man City summer signing needs to quit club after Real Madrid win or risks becoming forgotten man
Kalvin Phillips faces the risk of being mentioned in trivia quizzes as the football player who possesses more trophies than appearances in a single season. While Manchester City celebrated their win against Real Madrid at the Etihad, Phillips played a central role in the festivities, but simultaneously felt somewhat disconnected from them.
The midfielder, who seems out of place, experienced being an unused substitute in both legs of the Champions League semi-final. This has been the recurring theme throughout his season since his £42 million transfer from Leeds United, signing a six-year contract in the summer.
His playing time has mostly consisted of a few token minutes off the bench when the outcome of the games was already certain. Despite being an England international, he has not been given a starting position in any Champions League or Premier League matches.
The only instances where he was included in the starting lineup were in a Carabao Cup game against Southampton in January and an FA Cup match against Bristol City in February.
It should be noted that there were extenuating circumstances at the beginning of the season when he underwent shoulder surgery. However, he has been available for 37 of City’s games but has only been on the field for a total of 407 minutes.
In City’s pursuit of a treble, he has remained largely unnoticed, like an invisible figure. While players are often encouraged to leave their clubs in search of trophies, a player’s career should also be about personal fulfillment and significance.
There is a question of satisfaction derived from winning medals that were earned primarily by the efforts of others, rather than through one’s own contributions. The medals may serve as mementos to share with future generations, but when asked about the memorable experiences associated with those achievements, Phillips will have stories of sitting on the bench rather than battling on the field.
It may sound surprising, but considering how his dream move has unfolded, it seems Kalvin Phillips would have been better off staying at his beloved Leeds United. Although he would not have won any trophies and Leeds would have had a challenging season near the bottom of the table, he would have felt a sense of worth and importance at Elland Road that he hasn’t experienced at Manchester City.
At Leeds, Phillips would have felt like an integral part of the team rather than being on the periphery. Most importantly, he would have had significantly more playing time, which lies at the core of being a footballer.
While there is no shame in playing behind a player of Rodri’s caliber, who has established himself as an exceptional defensive midfielder, it becomes awkward for Phillips when, on rare occasions, Pep Guardiola opts to rest Rodri and instead deploys Ilkay Gundogan in a makeshift role. This was evident in matches against Sheffield United in the FA Cup semifinal and against Leeds in the league.
Guardiola publicly criticized Phillips for his physical condition after a nine-day break following the World Cup, describing him as overweight. However, the primary concern for the City manager has been Phillips’ struggle to grasp the intricate aspects of close-quarters teamwork and positional understanding that Guardiola demands.
It is important to note that Kalvin Phillips has not become a bad player overnight. In fact, he was selected by Gareth Southgate to start for England against Italy in Naples in March and performed admirably, despite his limited game time at Manchester City.
There is a common belief that players, excluding exceptional talents like Erling Haaland, require a season to adapt to the intricacies of Guardiola’s demands at City.
If we observe the progress Jack Grealish has made in his second year, it supports this notion. However, it is hard to imagine Phillips suddenly becoming a central figure in the team.
Regardless of the achievements City may accomplish this season and the number of medals he may acquire, the 27-year-old should consider cutting his losses in the summer and seeking a new opportunity. While medals hold value, they should not be the sole determining factor in a player’s career.
Man City summer signing needs to quit club after Real Madrid win or risks becoming forgotten man
