By Oscar Woods 
Kalvin Phillips stands at a crossroads. Once the engine room of Leeds United and a Euro 2020 finalist with England, the 30-year-old midfielder now finds himself frozen out at Manchester City, searching for a way to salvage a career that promised so much more.
Table of Contents
The Transfer That Changed Everything
Phillips moved from Leeds to Manchester City in July 2022 on a six-year contract for £42 million, potentially rising to £45 million with add-ons. The move seemed natural after Leeds promoted him through their youth system, but the reality at the Etihad Stadium proved far more challenging than anyone anticipated.
Manager Pep Guardiola called him overweight when he returned from the 2022 World Cup in December. That comment would haunt Phillips throughout his City tenure. Although Guardiola later apologized, saying he spoke to Phillips before making the public statement, the damage was done.
Loan Spells Failed to Reignite Form
Phillips managed just 21 appearances in his first season at City before the struggles intensified. In 2023-24, he featured only 10 times before heading to West Ham United on loan. That temporary move brought little improvement, leading to another loan at Ipswich Town for the entire 2024-25 campaign.
Phillips made 22 appearances and scored one goal during his time at Ipswich as the newly promoted club suffered relegation back to the Championship. His confidence, once unshakeable at Elland Road, appeared completely eroded. Phillips himself told Sky Sports in November 2024 that his confidence had taken a hit after not featuring for Manchester City.
One Appearance This Season
On September 24, 2025, Phillips featured in a 2-0 away win over Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup, making his first appearance for Manchester City in 645 days. That substitute appearance remains his only game time this season, highlighting just how far he has fallen in Guardiola’s plans.
The midfielder who once dazzled under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, earning the nickname “Yorkshire Pirlo” from adoring fans, now struggles to get minutes even in cup competitions. His transformation from a player whom England manager Gareth Southgate watched in January 2020 ahead of a possible call-up to someone outside the international picture feels stark.
Transfer Window Opportunities
Multiple clubs have shown interest in giving Phillips a fresh start. According to the Daily Mail, Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly attracting interest from bottom-placed Wolves ahead of the winter market closing on February 2. The report suggests Wolves see value in his Premier League experience as they fight to avoid relegation.
David Moyes at Everton could welcome Phillips in January, with former Everton scout Bryan King suggesting Moyes likes that type of player. Leeds United, his boyhood club, has also been mentioned as a potential destination, though any return to Elland Road would be complicated.
England Career Now in Doubt
Phillips earned 31 caps for England between 2020 and 2023, scoring one goal. He played a significant role in helping England reach the final of Euro 2020, showcasing his ability on the biggest stage. His combative performances in that tournament seemed to cement his place in the national setup.
However, Phillips was dropped from the England squad in March 2024 for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium due to a loss of form at the start of his loan to West Ham United. He has not received an international call-up since 2023, and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, time is running out to regain favor with the Three Lions.
What Went Wrong at City
The transition from Leeds to Manchester City exposed several challenges. At Leeds, Phillips was converted into a defensive midfielder by Marcelo Bielsa before the start of the 2018-19 season. His role as a deep-lying playmaker suited the team’s system perfectly, and he thrived in that environment.
At City, competition from players like Rodri made breaking into the starting eleven nearly impossible. Injuries and form issues also contributed to Phillips failing to establish himself. The £42 million price tag seemed to weigh heavily on him, creating expectations he struggled to meet in limited opportunities.
The Path Forward
Phillips remains contracted to Manchester City until 2028, but all signs point towards a permanent exit in the coming weeks. The midfielder himself is understood to be pushing for a permanent resolution, recognizing that his future lies elsewhere.
Whether he chooses Wolves, Everton, or attempts a sentimental return to Leeds, Phillips needs regular playing time to rediscover the form that once made him one of the Premier League’s most respected defensive midfielders. At 30 years old, this January transfer window may represent his last chance to resurrect a career that has stalled dramatically since leaving Yorkshire.
The question remains: can Kalvin Phillips recapture the magic that made him a household name, or has his time at the top level already passed? The next few weeks will provide the answer.