Sheffield United snub? How Kalvin Phillips reacted to Bamford & Wilder's transfer question | OneFootball

Kalvin Phillips made the loan switch to Sheffield United from Man City in January

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Kalvin Phillips made the switch to Bramall Lane on a temporary basis during the January transfer window amid his lack of game time at Man City.

The 30-year-old made no league appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side in the first half of the campaign, featuring only in an EFL Cup clash against Huddersfield Town in September.

He has already played two times for Chris Wilder’s side, as they look to climb the Championship table and contend for a play-off place.

Phillips reunited with his former Leeds United teammate Patrick Bamford, who joined the Blades as a free agent in November.

Kalvin Phillips opens up on decision to join Sheffield United

Phillips has revealed that he was initially sceptical of a move to Sheffield United, with Bamford making the first approach to him on behalf of Wilder.

However, he claimed that he was quickly convinced of a move to Bramall Lane after discussions, citing the potential to play more regularly at a Championship level than if he joined a top flight club.

“It was early December, I was thinking about going out on loan and Pat text me and messaged me saying ‘Chris is asking me to message you to see what you think about coming here to play a few games’,” said Phillips, via Sky Sports.

“And at first I was a bit like ‘I don’t know’, but then the more I thought about it, the more it was like ‘well, why not?’ It’s not going to harm me in anyway, it’s not going to do anything to my confidence. I want to go out and play as many games as possible, and I knew if I probably went to a Premiership team it’d have taken me longer to get into the team, and they have less games.

“So, I just wanted to play as many games as possible, and I spoke to Pat and, to be honest, I spoke to Chris, made my mind up, spoke to my agent and said I’d rather go to Sheffield than anywhere else.”

Sheffield United are aiming to return to the play-offs this season after losing in the final to Sunderland in the previous campaign.

Phillips made his debut for the Blades coming off the bench in a 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough on 9 February, and he also started in their 1-0 victory against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Next up for Sheffield United is a home clash against bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday on 22 February in a 12pm kick-off.

Kalvin Phillps had nothing to lose with Sheffield United move

Phillips’ career was going nowhere at Man City, and his two loan spells to lower Premier League sides hadn’t worked out either.

Taking the step down to the Championship was a sensible decision and, as he suggests, he has nothing to lose at Bramall Lane.

The 30-year-old has made a promising start to life in Wilder’s side, and this could be a positive path forward for his career if he can maintain a strong run of form.

That he has Bamford as a former teammate alongside him will help him in the coming months, and Wilder’s man management talents should help get the best out of the midfielder.