What Chris Wilder said to Kalvin Phillips that convinced him to re-sign for Sheffield United | OneFootball

Kalvin Phillips was reassured by Chris Wilder that he wanted him at the club this year as soon as he went down with an injury last season

Kalvin Phillips is back at Sheffield United for the 2026/27 campaign, a decision that was influenced by what Blades boss Chris Wilder said to him after he underwent knee surgery just three games into his spell last season.

To say that the 30-year-old has struggled for consistent games since making the £45 million switch to Manchester City from Leeds United four years ago is an understatement.

Phillips has played an average of just under 17 games a year in the last four seasons, and only managed four appearances throughout the entirety of 2025/26. This year, he'll hope to finally get over that hump and help contribute towards a play-off-chasing season at Sheffield United.

And he has the full support of Chris Wilder ahead of his second debut for the club, which could come on Saturday against Birmingham City.

Kalvin Phillips reveals key conversation with Chris Wilder that persuaded him to re-join Sheffield United

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Phillips only managed three appearances during his time at Bramall Lane, after joining on loan in February for the rest of the season.

In his third game for the club, he was sent off in the Steel City derby win against Sheffield Wednesday, and a knee injury he picked up in that game forced him under the knife, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Despite that, Blades manager Chris Wilder remained an admirer of the former Leeds midfielder, and spoke of his desire to keep him at Bramall Lane for the upcoming campaign weeks before last season ended, something which Phillips appreciated.

Speaking to Sheffield United's YouTube channel after he rejoined the club, the 30-year-old said, "He just filled me with confidence. He's an honest and good guy, and when my injury happened, he asked if there was a possibility of me coming back next year and said that he'd love to have me.

"I feel like, in this situation where I don't really know what's going to happen with my injury, to have that vote of confidence from Chris made my decision really clear."

How Sheffield United fans reacted to Kalvin Phillips' return

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For someone to have such backing from Chris Wilder, the majority of Sheffield United fans are giving Phillips the benefit of the doubt as he returns to the club for a second spell.

Despite not really excelling in loan moves in the Premier League with the likes of West Ham and Ipswich Town, there's a belief that a fully fit Phillips could be one of the best midfielders in the league. It's just a big if.

"I’d go as far as to say as up there with Bowen as the best player in the league. IF he stays fit," one Sheffield United fan said in response to his signing.

"Match fit, he will give us much-needed steel in the middle," another added, while a third said, "It’s good to have you back. Unfinished business."

"Hope he can stay fit; otherwise, it's money wasted on a player we could have used elsewhere," was also among the replies.

Evidently, Sheffield United are having to take some risks this summer, as they don't have the finances behind them to throw big money at midfield targets. With Phillips, though, it may be high risk, but the reward is high, too.

Kalvin Phillips has a lot to prove this season at Sheffield United

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There won't be many more players with such a weight of expectation on them this season than Phillips. To many, this is the 30-year-old's last chance to really showcase why he was so highly rated at Leeds and why he was once worth such a sizable fee.

Granted, he won't reach the level he was showing under Marcelo Bielsa again in just one year. If he did, that would be ideal for Blades fans, but they'll just want a campaign from him that isn't disrupted by injury or suspension.

There's enough midfield depth currently at Bramall Lane that Phillips shouldn't be expected to play big minutes every week. There'll be a need to rotate, but if the Manchester City man could play around 30 games this year, that would be much appreciated amongst the fanbase.

The hope would be that a match-fit Phillips is miles ahead of Championship level, and if he can prove that fitness, Sheffield United will have themselves a strong midfield presence which should help them win games this season.