Former Sheffield United man shares Kalvin Phillips transfer concern as Blades eye reunion
Sheffield United have freed up room in their midfield department to try and re-sign Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City.
Former Sheffield United midfielder Don Hutchison has said manager Chris Wilder has a “big decision” to make amid concerns about transfer target Kalvin Phillips’ reliability.
United, who will be hoping to launch a Championship promotion charge next season, are understood to be keen on re-signing Phillips on loan in this summer’s transfer window. The former Leeds United man spent the second half of the 2025/26 season at Bramall Lane after arriving on loan from City at the very start of February.
Unfortunately for Phillips, injury and suspension-related issues limited him to just three appearances for the Blades. A knee injury that required a small operation meant he made his final appearance of the season before the end of February.
Despite barely featuring during his loan spell in S2, United are keen to bring Phillips back to Bramall Lane ahead of next season. The shock decision to release Jaïro Riedewald was made in an effort to free up room and funds to bring Phillips back to the club.
Despite his undoubted quality, Phillips’ reliability and injury record in recent years does raise valid questions. He has only made 46 appearances since the start of the 2023/24 season.
Amid that concern, Phillips’ availability, according to Hutchison, who played for the Blades between 1996 and 1998, has to play a key factor in Wilder’s thinking amid the United chief’s wish to bring the 30-year-old back to the club.
“Only Chris Wilder knows the true story regarding Kalvin’s contributions behind the scenes last season,” Hutchinson said, in association with Spreadex Sports. “To me, he looks like a good pro that you can see having a positive influence on a matchday at Bramall Lane and back on the training ground.
“For Kalvin, he may be carrying injuries and be low on confidence, and if you think of the wages that he would expect, it will be a big decision for Wilder to decide whether he has done enough to earn another season in the club.
“The biggest decision for Chris will be whether he can guarantee 25 or 30 appearances from Kalvin, and if not, he may have to go down a different route and look at other options. As a player, your best ability is your availability.”