Kalvin Phillips reveals clear target on Manchester City future amid recent uncertainty

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has made it clear that he intends on remaining at the club for the foreseeable future, speaking during a recent interview.

The England international has had a troublesome time since swapping Elland Road for the Etihad Stadium last summer, in a deal reported to be in the region of £42 million following his stellar campaign prior both for club and country.

Across the entirety of the campaign so far, Phillips has started just three matches across all competitions for the Premier League champions, making 20 appearances as a whole but playing just 518 minutes.

That record has thrown his longer-term future with the club into serious doubt, with some sources not ruling out a move away from Pep Guardiola’s squad this summer – should the right offer be placed in front of Etihad officials.

Nevertheless, Kalvin Phillips does not see it that way, and has a clear aim to play for Manchester City much further into his professional career.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after winning the Premier League title last weekend, the former Leeds United man said, “I came here to win trophies and play football. I’ve not done as much as I’d like to this season.

“Next pre-season I’ll try and come back as fit as possible and hopefully I can be similar to the likes of Rodri and Gundogan who are very important to the team and undroppable.”

The 27 year-old admitted that while it has taken him longer to adapt to the ways of his new club, he has a clear intention to remain at Manchester City and be a key component of their long-term future.

“Not being big headed but I was one of the stand-out players there (at Leeds United) and the first couple of training sessions (at Manchester City) I was like: ‘What am I doing here?’. I’ve adapted, longer time than normal because of my injuries.”

He continued, “To learn off them every single day. Still we’ve got young players who are right up my backside. I’m looking forward to spending a good five more years here.”

Part of the challenge of adapting to Manchester City has been learning from Pep Guardiola – a process that Phillips admits has been quite difficult, despite the information provided being invaluable to his development.

“It’s hard to read him. One day he can give you the day off and the next he can be: ‘No, you’re in until the next game’. He’s unbelievable. If he can do this treble he’ll be a very, very happy man. I just hope it happens for him and his legacy.

“To put the Champions League under his belt with this club would be amazing. It’s hard to take it all in, there’s that much information. That’s been one of my difficulties. Trying to take in the information he gives me.”

With a view towards the future, Phillips has one goal in mind; and that is winning the Premier League title over and over again, and contributing greater to the triumphs that he is targeting in the years to come.

“We got there in the end. With the celebrations that we’ve had they’ll be in my memory for my full life. Hopefully we do it next year, and the year after that. It’s something I’m pushing myself to do.

“As the season comes to a close, now we’re just focusing on the next trophy. I think everyone here wants the Champions League. It’s the one the lads are talking about the most.”