'He deserves it' - Pep Guardiola makes Kalvin Phillips admission after Sheffield United switch
Sheffield United signed Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan on deadline day.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted Kalvin Phillips deserves the opportunity to try and get back to his best after joining Sheffield United on loan.
The midfield enforcer, who was a crucial part of England’s run to the final of the rearranged European Championship in 2021, joined the Blades on loan for the remainder of the season on transfer deadline day in what could only be described as an eye-catching deal.
Phillips, 30, has experienced a tough time through injuries in the last few seasons, so much so he has only played 32 games for City, either side of loan spells at West Ham United and Ipswich Town, since moving to the Etihad Stadium from Leeds United in July 2022.
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He has played just once for City this season, featuring as a late substitute in their 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup back in September, and has only once been included in the matchday squad since then.
Having not experienced the thrill of earning regular minutes in almost a year, Phillips will be keen to try and get his career back on track at Bramall Lane and help United with their ambitions of making a late push for the play-off places.
Guardiola addresses Phillips exit
And in the opinion of Guardiola, the England international needs regular opportunities to get back to his very best.
“He has not trained in the last days because he was injured," said Guardiola, speaking to the media ahead of his side’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United on Wednesday evening. "He needs minutes to recover his best.
"He has to play, some loans and how he is as a guy, everyone is desperate for him to come back and play minutes and be at his best because he deserves it.
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"Yes it is true [he has struggled] but most of the time it was because of setbacks and injuries. He had injuries in his shoulder and after with knees and ankles and hamstrings so he struggled with that.
"It happens with every player, not just Kalvin, that when you don't have the opportunity to play it becomes more difficult."