Kalvin Phillips: From Manchester City's Forgotten Man to Sheffield United's New Hope
Manchester City's forgotten man Kalvin Phillips is set to join Sheffield United in the Championship on loan for the remainder of the season, offering a fresh start for the former England international midfielder following his struggles for game time at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City's forgotten man Kalvin Phillips is set to move to Sheffield United in the Championship on loan for the rest of the season, according to the Daily Telegraph. The former England international midfielder has struggled for minutes ever since making the move from Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium, and is now poised to head into the second-tier. Per the Telegraph, Phillips has been in talks with the Blades over a stunning switch that would see him leave Pep Guardiola's side and head into the second-tier of English football. He has been registered to play for City in the Premier League this season but has yet to do so and recently sustained an injury, complicating any potential exit. The Athletic reports that the Blades have reached a full agreement with City to sign Phillips, and that he will undergo a medical on deadline day; the deal does not include an option for Sheffield United to buy him. Phillips joined City in a deal worth £42 million ($57m) in 2022 but across the last four years, he has made just four starts. He was loaned to Ipswich Town last season as the Tractor Boys fell into the Championship, with the club failing to chase up a permanent deal, and has also played on loan at West Ham. Manager Guardiola previously claimed Phillips was overweight in 2022, telling reporters: "He's not injured. He arrived overweight. I don't know [why]. He didn't arrive in the condition to do training sessions and to play... That's why he cannot play. When he will be ready, he will play, because we need him, we need him a lot."Phillips later claimed the comment was one of the toughest moments of his career, saying: “After the World Cup was probably the toughest [moment], when Pep came out and said I was overweight. He was right to do so, but there are different ways to go about it. I did not disagree with him, but obviously I took a big knock on my confidence and how I felt at City. And my family were not happy about it either, especially my mum.”He added: “She got frustrated when I was at City, she didn’t come to watch as much."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Guardiola took the somewhat unusual step of publicly apologising to Phillips over his comment, doing so in 2024. He said: "I'm sorry. I do apologise to him. I'm so sorry. I did speak about that. I never before said something here [to the media] without speaking to the player."Phillips, regardless, is now set to leave the Etihad as he seeks a fresh start in his career.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingSheffield United are currently 17th in the Championship and they sit 11 points off the play-off places. The arrival of a seasoned campaigner in Phillips, who has previously won promotion from the second-tier with Leeds, could well be the jolt they need to put together a winning run. Boss Chris Wilder said: “There are going to be players in the next two or three hours that are linked and flying about all over the place. I just got a call from somebody asking if something was true, and there's interest in players right the way through.“We're interested in good players. I said all along I want the group to be strong when the window shuts. It’s a working day for us and we're working hard to get some over the line.“We've had some interest in our players and we're interested in good players. So, let's wait and see and hopefully people will be positive.”The club are also poised to sign Joe Rothwell from Rangers, with Wilder confirming: “Joe’s in situ and hopefully we can get that one over the line. He's somebody that gives us that strength in depth in the midfield department, and someone I've liked for quite a long time, So he’ll bring good competition and balance in there with if we get it over the line.”
The Move and Background
According to the Daily Telegraph, Kalvin Phillips is on the verge of a surprising transfer deadline day loan move to Sheffield United in the Championship. Despite making a high-profile move from Leeds United to Manchester City in a £42 million deal back in 2022, Phillips has found playing opportunities hard to come by, with only four starts in four years. His potential move to Sheffield United offers him a chance to reignite his career in the second tier of English football.
Agreement and Medical Examination
Reports from The Athletic suggest that Sheffield United have secured a deal with Manchester City for Phillips' loan, pending a medical examination on deadline day. The agreement does not include an option for the Blades to make the move permanent, highlighting a short-term commitment by both clubs in this transfer.
Past Challenges and Comments
Phillips faced criticism from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who publicly commented on his weight in 2023, leading to a setback in the midfielder's confidence. Guardiola later issued a public apology to Phillips in 2024, acknowledging a misstep in his handling of the situation. The player, meanwhile, expressed the impact of the incident on himself and his family, indicating a challenging period at the club.
Potential Impact at Sheffield United
Joining Sheffield United, currently positioned 17th in the Championship, Phillips could bring valuable experience and winning mentality to the team. With past promotion success at Leeds, his presence might provide the necessary boost for the Blades to climb up the table and challenge for a playoff spot. Manager Chris Wilder's interest in bolstering the squad with quality signings reflects the club's ambitions for the remainder of the season.
Additional Transfer Updates
In addition to Phillips, Sheffield United are also close to securing the services of Joe Rothwell from Rangers, enhancing their depth in midfield. Wilder's proactive approach in the transfer market signals the club's determination to strengthen its squad and improve competitiveness in the Championship.








