Expert shares new Kalvin Phillips concern amid ‘huge’ Man City development
Noel Whelan has insisted both Kalvin Phillips and England boss Gareth Southgate will be “hugely disappointed” with the midfielder’s lack of action since joining Man City.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed he is “worried” about whether the 26-year-old will be sharp enough to star for England at this winter’s World Cup.
Phillips has played just 13 minutes of football since joining Man City earlier this summer for a reported £42million.
The 23-cap England international signed a contract until June 2028 at the Etihad Stadium.
Southgate will announce his newest Three Lions squad next week, in the build-up to Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany.
Whelan claimed Phillips will have expected more game time when he decided to leave boyhood club Leeds United for Man City.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’ll be disappointed, of course.
“He’ll have expected more game time, and I’m sure Gareth Southgate will have expected more game time too.
“With the World Cup coming up, you want these players to be match fit and match ready.
“I’m sure he’ll still be picked to go to the World Cup – but will he be sharp enough?
“He’s at a big club but he’s not putting in those performances, standing out and showing Gareth that you’re ready.
“This is where I worry about players at bigger clubs. Are they ready enough to go straight into a World Cup game? I’m not so sure.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire claims Man City will be “absolutely delighted” amid “Government lobbying” claim.