Kalvin Phillips reveals "problem" as Sheffield United return talk swirls | OneFootball

Kalvin Phillips has had a torrid time with injuries in recent years

Kalvin Phillips will have one goal in mind next season, and that's to stay fit and firing for a prolonged period of time.

It's been four years now since the 30-year-old made a £42 million switch from Leeds United to Manchester City. His stock was as high as it ever had been at the time, but since that move, he's played just 67 times, an average of just over 16 games per season.

Phillips played just 20 times in his final Premier League campaign at Elland Road due to injury, and his lack of game time in the City squad meant that, when he did see the pitch, he struggled to stay fit.

The midfielder is evidently someone who, when afforded long periods of playing, can be effective, but a mixture of not being favoured and being suspended has meant that the three loan spells he's had away from City in the past two-and-a-half years haven't been impactful.

Kalvin Phillips opens up about injury frustration as talks over a Sheffield United return advance

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The most recent loan spell came at Sheffield United in January, off the back of the first half of the campaign, where he made just one seven-minute cameo for Manchester City in the EFL Cup against Huddersfield Town.

City boss Pep Guardiola explained that he was struggling with injuries during the time, but it was also clear that he wasn't part of the Spaniard's plans. There was hope that a move back to the Championship could at least get him back up to speed and prove he's still got top-flight qualities.

Unfortunately, that loan spell lasted just three games. In the third, he was sent off in the Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday in February and didn't play after his ban ended due to a knee injury. Nevertheless, Blades boss Chris Wilder expressed a desire to bring him back to Bramall Lane this summer.

Those talks are at an advanced stage now, according to Pete O'Rourke's report on Wednesday, and Phillips is hoping that a full pre-season can help him rediscover some fitness ahead of what needs to be a good season for him.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, per the Sheffield Star, Phillips said: "It was all right [his time at Sheffield United], all two games of it.

"I suffered an injury which kept me out for the rest of the season. And that's been the problem for me the last three years of not playing regularly. It's made me acquire more injuries and stuff like that.

"So I'm looking forward to hopefully having a good season, actually."

At his best, Phillips was highly recognised as one of the best English defensive midfielders in the world, winning the Three Lions' Player of the Year in the campaign which ended in a second-placed finish in Euro 2021.

That seems a long time ago now, and Phillips will be hoping he can recapture some of that magic in 2026/27, perhaps back at Sheffield United for the whole campaign, too.

How Sheffield United fans reacted to the Blades, Kalvin Phillips' advanced talks

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With Phillips' injury record no secret, some Blades fans would rather stay away from the 30-year-old heading into next season and sign someone they know will play a big part for them as they strive to put last year's disappointment behind them.

However, there's an expectation that a fully fit Phillips could be amongst the better midfielders in the division. Indeed, the Star states that Sheffield United believe he has a higher ceiling than the likes of Jairo Riedewald, who was somewhat surprisingly not offered a contract extension this summer.

Therefore, the decision to potentially bring the 30-year-old back to Bramall Lane has split opinion amongst the Sheffield United fanbase.

"I'm happy with that," one Blade said in response to Pete O'Rourke's update. "Good news, assuming he's fully fit and we've had the opportunity to look at him last season," another said.

In contrast, one fan resented the idea, stating: "Excellent. One spot wasted, and it's not even July yet," while another added, "Either injured or suspended. Typical United signing."

Evidently, Phillips has a lot of doubters to prove wrong next season, both from a neutral standpoint and even within the fanbase of the club he may be making a return to.