How Ipswich Town pair Sammie Szmodics and Jack Taylor reacted to shock Kalvin Phillips, Man City news | OneFootball

Kalvin Phillips' former Ipswich teammates comment on his Manchester City return

Kalvin Phillips made his long-awaited Manchester City return in their EFL Cup win over Huddersfield Town.

It was his first competitive appearance for the Citizens since December 2023, and since then, he's endured some rather uneventful loan spells. First, at West Ham United during the latter half of the 2023/24 campaign, and then with Ipswich Town last season.

Injuries and being unfavoured for large parts of his time at Manchester City have derailed Phillips' career massively since he made a £45 million move from Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium, but an inclusion in Pep Guardiola's Premier League squad for the current campaign indicates a potential career revival for the once dubbed 'Yorkshire Pirlo.'

One thing which can't be disputed, however, is the class in which the 29-year-old oozes off the field, as Phillips' likeability often makes former, or current, teammates root for him.

Both Sammie Szmodics and Jack Taylor, who Phillips shared the dressing room with last season at Ipswich Town, were quick to show their support as the 31-time England international made his return to his parent club.

Ipswich Town duo Sammie Szmodics and Jack Taylor react to Kalvin Phillips' Manchester City return

Kalvin Phillips reflected on his return to Manchester City in a post on Instagram, after the 29-year-old was brought on in the final few minutes against Huddersfield, as Pep Guardiola's side progressed into the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

Several of his former and current teammates congratulated him on his return. This wasn't just a return to the Manchester City fold, but also his first game in three and a half months after undergoing Achilles surgery upon his return from his recent loan spell at Ipswich.

Luke Ayling, Alex Mowatt and Liam Cooper, with whom he shared dressing rooms at his boyhood club Leeds United, were quick to show their support, but so were some Ipswich players, despite his time at Portman Road being rather short.

Sammie Szmodics commented: "He's back, love it mate," whilst Jack Taylor added: "Love it kalv."

Phillips' time at Ipswich may not be fondly remembered, as the Tractor Boys didn't put up much of a fight against relegation in their first year back in the top flight since the 2001/02 season, but the 29-year-old clearly had a positive impact on his teammates.

Ipswich Town fans may be surprised to see Kalvin Phillips back at Manchester City

After a disappointing run at West Ham and then an uneventful year at Ipswich, many fans across the footballing world were expecting this summer to be the end of the line for Phillips at the eight-time Premier League champions.

However, it seems that Pep Guardiola is still interested in keeping the 29-year-old around, seeing him as a useful squad option when fit.

It's been a tough three years for Phillips since he left Leeds, but there are still some who have faith that he can return to the player he once was at Elland Road - one who caught the eye of one of the greatest managers of all time at the Etihad.

Hopefully, an inclusion into Guardiola's Premier League squad will give Phillips the confidence boost to crack on and prove himself as a useful cog in the ever-turning wheel at Manchester City.