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Kalvin Phillips discloses plans for crunch talks with Pep Guardiola over lack of playing time.
Kalvin Phillips believes he wants to continue at Manchester City but wants to speak with boss Pep Guardiola about his future.
Phillips earned three gold medals last season, but he only made four starts in all competitions. He made 21 games in total, with the remaining 17 coming as a substitute, and he has been linked with a possible exit this summer, amid interest from Liverpool.
Phillips insists, however, that he wants to remain at the Etihad, telling the Telegraph: “My intention is to stay there. We have just won the Treble, so there is no reason for me to leave other than if I am not playing. I will obviously have to think about it. I cannot give it 12 months and say ‘I am not playing so I am going to leave’. As you have seen with many players at City, it can take quite a while to cement yourself into the team. Hopefully I will enjoy my off season and then work hard when I get back.
“I will definitely speak to Pep. I don’t know whether it will be in the summer because everyone enjoys their downtime and everyone wants their space away from football so I’ll probably leave it until I go back for pre-season but I’ll just speak to him and have a good conversation.”
In City’s hierarchy, Phillips is below Rodri, and there have been rumours that the team would aim to sign Declan Rice from West Ham before Arsenal does. The 27-year-old’s intentions might be derailed if the captain of the Hammers was added.
City will take a break after winning the triple crown. Phillips, meanwhile, scored his first goal for England against North Macedonia on Monday.