Kalvin Phillips given fresh hope of Premier League return amid Manchester City doubts | OneFootball

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has provided an update on Kalvin Phillips’ future at the club as uncertainty looms over the Manchester City loanee who suffered relegation at Portman Road this term.

Phillips joined Ipswich Town on a season-long loan last summer and after impression on loan at West Ham in the second half of the 2023-24 campaign, there was fresh hope that the England international will kick on and revitalise his career after a difficult few years since joining Manchester City.

City signed Phillips for £45 million from Leeds United in the summer of 2022 and despite winning a historic treble in his debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium, Phillips struggled for form, fitness and failed to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s demands.

After a promising campaign personally for the midfielder but one that has seen Ipswich Town relegated to the EFL Championship, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Phillips, who is under contract at Manchester City till 2028.

As the Premier League campaign comes to a close, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken candidly about Phillips has fared in what has been a mixed bag, injury-riddled season for the 29-year-old.

“He (Phillips) arrived having not played much football for a couple of seasons. Obviously, if he had, he probably wouldn’t have been at Ipswich this season,” McKenna said, as quoted by the Ipswich Star.

“The first thing to say is he (Phillips) has been a good person in the group. He had a fairly stable run of games at the start of the season while he was still working back to get to his best form.

“I feel that we had a period, Christmas and just afterward, where he (Phillips) was playing really well and really getting to a good level where he was really helping the team.

“The Tottenham game probably typified that. In the first 60 minutes of that game, he (Phillips) was outstanding, definitely one of the best players in the pitch.

“In training and on match days he (Phillips) was getting to a good, consistent level. He got a big gash in his foot though that required a lot of stitches and some time off his feet.

“We managed to get him (Phillips) back in the squad against Bournemouth and Wolves, but he probably hasn’t been fully fit or had a really good training base behind him for several weeks. Now he’s got a little problem with his Achilles.

“He (Phillips) not going to be available this weekend and it’s unlikely we can get him on the pitch before the end of the season. It’s been frustrating for him and for us. Because a really fully fit and confident Kalvin would been a real addition to us.

“But, as I say, he (Phillips) has been a really good person around the group. I’m sure there’ll be bits from the season, like all the other players, that he’ll take from. Hopefully he can have a good season next year.”

Lastly, McKenna has provided an update on talks between him and Phillips over a possible stay at the club next season. “Yeah, look, it’s not something we’ve spoke about or looked at too much, in that position, yet, to be honest,” McKenna added.

“I think everyone’s focus, certainly mine and in and around the training group, has been around the games remaining. That’s where everything is.

“I’ve had very few conversations with many of the players about next year. Those conversations will take place maybe a little bit next week, certainly the few days after the season finishes. We’ll see what comes.”