Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery to fix an Achilles injury.
This means he won’t have the chance to enjoy a full pre-season ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The 29-year-old is expected to be back to full fitness by August, but the timing of the surgery means he’ll be rushing to be ready as the new season kicks off.
A Summer Away From Manchester City Looms for Phillips
Phillips has made it clear that he’s looking for a fresh start away from Manchester City this summer, whether that’s through a permanent transfer or another loan spell.
It’s well known that Pep Guardiola doesn’t see him fitting into his future plans.
Opting for surgery now gives Phillips the best shot at returning without pain and hitting the ground running when he joins a new club.
A Tough Season on Loan at Ipswich Town
Last season, Phillips was on loan at Ipswich Town, who unfortunately were relegated.
He played 19 Premier League matches for the club under manager Kieran McKenna but missed ten games due to injury.
Reflecting on a difficult year, Phillips expressed gratitude to Ipswich’s fans, staff, and especially the manager, saying the support helped him regain confidence on and off the pitch.
He also sent positive wishes to the club, confident they’ll bounce back soon.
Career Journey: From Leeds to City and Beyond
Phillips made the move to Manchester City from Leeds United three years ago for £42 million and is contracted with the club until 2028.
However, his time at City has been limited, with a short loan spell at West Ham in 2024 before his stint at Ipswich.
He even joined City’s pre-season tour in the U.S. last summer but was not expected to be considered for the upcoming Club World Cup squad.
James McAtee’s Future Points Away from City
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s promising academy midfielder James McAtee will be joining England’s Under-21 squad for the European Championship instead of traveling with the senior team to the Club World Cup.
This decision is seen by many as a sign that McAtee’s days at City might be numbered.
He impressed this season with seven goals in 26 appearances, attracting interest from several Bundesliga clubs such as Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Bayer Leverkusen.
Other Premier League teams like Nottingham Forest, West Ham, and Everton are also reportedly keeping an eye on him.