Kalvin Phillips has expressed his desire to stay at Manchester City and intends to speak with manager Pep Guardiola about his future ahead of the new season.
The 27-year-old midfielder decided to leave boyhood club Leeds United and join the Citizens last summer in a deal worth an initial £42m.
However, Phillips endured a frustrating debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium and started just four of his 21 appearances across all competitions, with injuries and the exceptional form of Spanish lynchpin Rodri two main factors behind his lack of game time.
Phillips has since been linked with a swift exit from Man City, with West Ham United said to hold an interest in the midfielder, while Liverpool and Newcastle United are also believed to be closely monitoring his situation.
Although Phillips was a peripheral figure in the Citizens' historic 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, the England international is keen to remain at the Etihad and fight for his place under Guardiola.
"To be honest I was injured before I even went to City, so that is one of the main reasons why I was injured so much," Phillips told reporters, as quoted by Sky Sports News, after scoring in England's 7-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over North Macedonia on Monday.
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"City have been amazing to help me get back to full fitness and I eventually played a few more games for City and England, so credit to the medical staff at City for helping me.
"My intention is to stay there. We have just won the treble, so there is no reason for me to leave, other than if I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it.
"I cannot give it 12 months and say, 'I am not playing so I am going to leave'. I came to Manchester City to win trophies and we won the trophies, but I didn't play as much as I wanted to do.
"With England I played a little bit, but was ruled out through injuries as well. It is just nice to be back fit. I have nothing to worry about now. Everything is fine with my body. I will continue to work hard next season and hopefully do well when I go back to City."
Phillips has revealed that he has discussed his first season at Man City with the likes of Nathan Ake and Jack Grealish, who also required a year to settle into life under Guardiola.
"I'd like to think [I am not the only new arrival to need time], to be honest," Phillips added. "I just know how difficult it is to understand the way Pep wants to play and how quickly you need to adapt to play in his system.
"I am on the brink of almost getting it. Obviously there is a little bit of work in pre-season and hopefully be all right.
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"As you have seen with many players at City, it can take quite a while to cement yourself into the team. Hopefully I will enjoy my off-season and then work hard when I get back.
"I spoke to quite a few of the players about it. Nathan Ake being one, Jack, they all said the same, they all said the first 12 months were the hardest of their City careers but after that, it doesn't become easy, but easier."
Phillips intends to sit down with Guardiola ahead of pre-season to discuss his future at Man City, adding: "I will definitely speak to Pep.
"I don't know whether it will be in the summer because everyone enjoys their downtime and everyone wants their space away from football, so I'll probably leave it until I go back for pre-season but I'll just speak to him and have a good conversation.
"I'm just going to go away for the off-season and enjoy myself with my family and girlfriend and friends and then come back fighting."
While Phillips is keen to stay at Man City, the long-term futures of fellow midfielders Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva remain uncertain, with Gundogan due to see his contract expire at the end of this month.
Oliver Thomas
