Man City star makes ‘decision’ admission during international duty amid January exit links

Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips has made a frank admission about his future amid speculation over a possible January exit. The England international has struggled for game time with City since his big-money arrival from Leeds United in the summer of 2022.

Phillips arrived as a back-up - and indeed competition - for Rodri, but that is not how it has panned out, with Pep Guardiola not trusting Phillips to function as he should within his system. Phillips and Guardiola have had a frosty relationship in general, with the latter once publically claiming the former was out of shape after last winter’s World Cup.

Since then, Phillips has decided to knuckle down and battle for his place, deciding to pass on a summer exit, but he still hasn’t managed to turn things around. In Rodri’s absence through suspension over the last couple of games, Phillips has still been overlooked, with Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic preferred, and the writing seems to be on the wall.

In the meantime, Phillips has been representing England, and given the chance to speak on his City future, the former Leeds star has made it clear he has a decision to make ahead of the January transfer window. He told reporters: “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.”

Phillips also has to consider next summer’s Euro 2024, with Gareth Southgate already telling the midfielder he must play regular football to make his squad next summer. Phillips added: “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."