Kalvin Phillips backed to transform Man City career after source’s reveal – pundit
Alan Hutton has claimed Kalvin Phillips has what it takes to break into the first team at Man City.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender said Phillips has to “raise his standards” until the end of the season and prove himself to Pep Guardiola.
The 27-year-old joined City last summer and has had a disappointing first season at the Etihad where he has made just five Premier League appearances for a total of 56 minutes.
The midfielder has been linked with moves away from Manchester at the end of the season with West Ham and former club Leeds United believed to be keen.
But, Football Insider revealed (27 March), that the Sky Blues have no plans to sell Phillips this summer despite a lacklustre season.
The England international is keen to stay at City and try and break into Pep Guardiola’s side.
When asked if Phillips has what it takes to become a City regular, Hutton told Football Insider: “I think ultimately it is always going to be difficult, we are talking about one of the best teams in Europe.
“He was a standout for Leeds, I can understand why Man City bought him.
“It is always going to be difficult up against the likes or Rodri, but that is the standard that they are at. That is the level you need to be performing at week in week out to get into the team.
“Injuries have not helped him but it is now about him trying to get as many minutes as possible between now and the end of the season and showing the manager that he is capable of playing every week. He has to raise his standards.“
In other news, Man City ‘pulling out all the stops’ to keep playmaker for one more season.