Kalvin Phillips reacts to Jude Bellingham message amid Man City uncertainty
Man City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has reacted to a message shared by Jude Bellingham while his future remains uncertain.
Phillips has fallen out of favour at the Etihad Stadium and endured loan spells with West Ham and Ipswich in each of the last two seasons.
The 31-cap England international struggled with the London outfit in 2024, but had hoped to make a strong impression with the then newly promoted Tractor Boys.
However, the former Leeds man could not prevent Kieran McKenna’s men from suffering immediate relegation back to the Championship.
Phillips reacts to Bellingham’s Real Madrid message
Amid fierce competition from Rodri, Phillips has made just 31 appearances for Man City since joining from Leeds in 2022.
Thanks to his lack of game time in the North West, the 29-year-old has fallen away from international contention.
Meanwhile, England star Bellingham took to Instagram on Saturday, 5 July, to celebrate Real Madrid’s progression to the Club World Cup semi-finals: “Final Four. Great to see some familiar faces, love always.”
The message attracted a like from Phillips, who has been linked with a Leeds return.
Man City midfielder Phillips may need move abroad
Football Insider verdict
Even though Phillips has been linked with a somewhat romantic return to boyhood club Leeds, where he shone in both the Championship and the Premier League, he has proven that he is no longer a strong asset in the English top flight.
| Kalvin Phillips stats | Premier League 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 19 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
After clinching promotion back to the Premier League by winning the second-tier title last season, the Whites must compile a squad who are capable of avoiding relegation.
But because Phillips suffered exactly that fate with Ipswich last season, Leeds will likely steer clear of re-acquiring the former West Ham man’s services.
Now that the England international has struggled with both the East Londoners and the Tractor Boys, he appears better suited to a move abroad than to remaining in the Premier League.
The likes of Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay both benefited from joining Napoli, where they won the Serie A title last season.
Meanwhile, former Fulham man Aleksandar Mitrovic has shone as a prolific attacker since joining Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in 2023.