Kalvin Phillips will give his Manchester City career another chance this summer, now that he is fully fit, but admits he cannot afford to risk his Euro 2024 hopes by not playing regularly. The midfielder, who struggled for game time after his move from Leeds, draws hope from teammates like Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake, who took time to settle before playing key roles in the treble.
Phillips finished the season on a positive note with his first England goal and is looking forward to a pre-season without injury concerns. He plans to have a conversation with manager Pep Guardiola when he returns for pre-season. 'I will just speak to him and have a good conversation,' Phillips said. He has already spoken to Grealish and Ake, who both said the first 12 months were the hardest of their City careers.
Despite the treble success, Phillips is aware that a lack of playing time could threaten his place in England’s Euro 2024 squad. 'My intention is to stay there,' he said. '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.'
City open their Premier League season at Burnley on August 11, with the Community Shield against Arsenal on August 6. Some fans have protested the kick-off time change from 5.30pm to 4pm, donating instead to Manchester food banks.
