Manchester City star seeking game time to improve national team chances

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has highlighted the need to get more playing time under Pep Guardiola at Etihad Stadium in a bid to salvage his national team career under Gareth Southgate in the Three Lions national team.

Kalvin Phillips joined Manchester City in 2022 from Leeds United, but he has struggled to break into the starting lineup, and in the 2023/2024 season, he has only made three substitute appearances in the Premier League.

Kalvin Phillips joined Manchester City in 2022 from Leeds United, but he has struggled to break into the starting lineup. In the 2023/24 season, he has only made three substitute appearances in the Premier League.

Last term, the former Leeds United player only played 12 Premier League games, and after the October international break with the England national team, Philips revealed that he needs a decision and has been urged by Southgate to improve his playing time.

“I know that I need to be playing games and competing every weekend. I’m going to have to make a decision on [my future] over the next months. He [Gareth Southgate] just says that for me to keep my spot, I have to be playing games. That’s what I want to do. I have agreed with Gareth on that.” Phillips said.

The 27-year-old, who moved from Elland Road to Etihad Stadium in a £45 move in July 2022, has managed to keep his place in the England national team under England manager Gareth Southgate as he started in Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, which the Three Lions won 3-1 and booked their place at next summer’s competition with two games to spare.

He played 69 minutes before he was replaced by Jordan Henderson after 69 minutes against the Azzurri. He also picked up some minutes from the bench as England beat Australia 1-0 in a friendly.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu