After an impressive spell at Leeds, Phillips was acquired by Manchester City for £42 million ($52m) in the summer of 2022. However, his career has stagnated since then, with only 31 appearances across all competitions for the Premier League champions. Phillips was loaned to West Ham for the second half of the 2023-24 season but faced heavy criticism for his performances in East London as well.
The 28-year-old’s struggles have drawn comparisons to Dele Alli, once regarded as one of England’s brightest midfield talents during his time at Tottenham. Alli’s career also declined, leading to his sidelining for the entire last season at Everton due to injury.
Ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa player Dean Saunders highlighted the similarities when discussing Phillips’ difficulties under Pep Guardiola on talkSPORT. Saunders remarked, “We’ve seen it happen to Dele Alli. Dele Alli became disillusioned and suddenly, what’s happened to him? I remember Dele Alli bursting into the box past Harry Kane, making goals. With Kalvin Phillips, he used to intercept, keep it simple, pass to others who could advance play. Now, he’s lost all his belief and confidence. When your confidence goes, if I went eight games without scoring, I couldn’t even control the ball. Everything becomes an effort, and you start thinking you’re a bad player. That’s what’s happened to him.”
Phillips is not expected to find much success at City this season, as the English champions are likely to transfer him during the current window. Aston Villa has been linked with a move for the 28-year-old in recent weeks.
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