Kalvin Phillips agrees with Pep Guardiola assessment as he completes Premier League loan move

Kalvin Phillips says he hopes to ‘play as many games’ as possible’ at Ipswich Town this season, as his loan move to the Suffolk club was confirmed following two disappointing years at Manchester City.

The former Leeds United star has started just six games in all competitions for City in that period, and suffered a disappointing loan at West Ham United in the second half of last season. With his career taking such a sharp nosedive, Phillips struggled to secure a move away from City this summer and has agreed to join the newly promoted side in a straight loan deal with no permanent option.

Speaking after the move was confirmed, Phillips said the opportunity to work with one of the game’s brightest young managers was a factor in his decision.

“This is a day I’ve been waiting a number of weeks for now and I’m very happy to be here,” the 28-year-old told Ipswich’s website. 

“I’ve had some great conversations with players I know here and also with the manager, who I have obviously heard a lot about, and I’m excited to be here and be part of his team, playing how he likes to play the game.  

“The conversations with Kieran McKenna and Mark Ashton have been really good and I followed Ipswich’s season closely last year, so I know the journey the club has been on and it’s a great story which I’m now excited to be a part of.  

“I want to play as many games as possible, enjoy playing football again and help the team win as many games as possible in the Premier League.”

Phillips’ comments come less than an hour after Pep Guardiola said the player does have a future at City but needs to play regular minutes at Portman Road.

“He has to have minutes. He has to recover game time and to play. We thought that he would maybe have not the minutes he deserves. It’s better to have minutes for the chance to maybe in the future come back here.”