‘Invisible’ Man City star ‘has to be looking’ to leave after Liverpool links
Kalvin Phillips has been advised to leave Manchester City by former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness.
Phillips has set out on a second season with Man City following his departure from Leeds United last year. However, a combination of injuries and competition for places prevented him from playing much in his debut season with the treble winners.
As TEAMtalk reported, Liverpool asked about signing Phillips while the summer transfer window was open. He remains at the Etihad Stadium, though, by September.
Phillips is still in the England squad for the September international break, but his club career is at risk of stagnating.
And according to Souness, Phillips should be looking for an escape route away from Man City at the next available opportunity.
Souness told the Daily Mail: “Kalvin Phillips remains a regular in the England squad but in terms of playing time at Manchester City, he is close to becoming the invisible man.
“He’s 27 — an age at which he must be playing football.
“He must also realise he’s competing against the very best sitting midfielder in our league and, unless there’s a serious injury to Rodri, he’s looking at being a bit-part player.
“He has to be looking for a career away from City.”
READ MORE: Next Man City move leaked by Fabrizio Romano after signing of defender West Ham let go
Phillips facing fight for Man City future already
The reigning Premier League champions have Phillips under contract until 2028. He has made 22 appearances for the club so far, but only three of those have lasted for the full 90 minutes.
In contrast, he had been a regular starter for his boyhood club Leeds until his £45million move. The medals he has since put in his cabinet will be welcomed, but as Souness stated, Phillips should be in his prime years now, which might encourage him to explore an exit in another transfer window in the not-too-distant future.
Phillips came on as a substitute for Man City in their 5-1 win over Fulham on Saturday. Rodri and summer signing Mateo Kovacic were chosen as the starting players in holding midfield instead.
Man City also added Matheus Nunes to their midfield on deadline day after agreeing to sign him from Wolves, which could push Phillips further down the pecking order.
