Why Kalvin Phillips flopped at Manchester City

When Manchester City splashed £45 million on Kalvin Phillips in 2022, expectations were high. The midfielder, who had dazzled at Leeds United and become a key player for England, was seen as the perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s fluid and dynamic system. However, two years later, Phillips’ tenure at the Etihad has been nothing short of a disappointment. What went wrong for the talented midfielder?

1. Injury Struggles

Phillips’ time at Manchester City was marred by injuries. In his debut season, he struggled with multiple fitness issues that limited his availability. Frequent injuries disrupted his rhythm, preventing him from gaining the match sharpness required to compete at the highest level. As a result, Phillips missed crucial training sessions and matches, stalling his adaptation to Guardiola’s demanding tactics.

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2. Fierce Competition

At Manchester City, Phillips found himself competing against some of the best midfielders in the world. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Ilkay Gundogan were already established and integral to City’s success. Breaking into this star-studded lineup was always going to be a monumental challenge. Phillips’ limited playing time meant he never truly got the chance to prove his worth or build the necessary on-field chemistry with his teammates.

3. Tactical Misfit

While Phillips thrived in Marcelo Bielsa’s high-pressing, fast-paced system at Leeds, he struggled to adapt to Guardiola’s possession-based style. At Leeds, Phillips was the lynchpin, dictating play and breaking up opposition attacks with his aggressive style. However, at City, he was required to be more disciplined, patient, and precise in possession. This transition proved difficult, as Phillips often looked out of sync with the team’s play, making uncharacteristic errors and appearing hesitant on the ball.

4. Psychological Impact

The psychological toll of not living up to expectations cannot be understated. Phillips was hailed as a marquee signing, and the pressure to perform at a club like Manchester City is immense. His struggles on the pitch likely affected his confidence, creating a vicious cycle of poor performances and dwindling self-belief. The scrutiny from fans and media further compounded his difficulties, making it even harder to regain his form.

5. Failed Loan Spell

In an attempt to revive his career, Phillips was loaned to West Ham United for the second half of last season. Unfortunately, this move also backfired. Despite the change of environment, Phillips failed to find his footing, delivering a string of underwhelming performances. His inability to impress at West Ham raised further questions about his suitability for top-flight football, leading to his omission from Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.

6. Pre-Season Disappointments

Hoping for a fresh start, Phillips joined Manchester City’s pre-season tour in the United States. However, his performances against Celtic and AC Milan did little to suggest a turnaround. Fans were quick to point out his mistakes, lack of pace, and seeming loss of confidence. These pre-season outings were crucial for Phillips to attract potential suitors or earn a spot in Guardiola’s plans, but they only added to the growing list of disappointments.

Was the move to Manchester City too soon?

Then again, there is also the factor of looking at his move from Leeds United to Manchester City, a move which in every way came at a time when there was stiff competition for midfield spots in the team, with Bernado Silva, Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne, Gundogan, Mahrez, and Fernandinho all preferred to him.