Sean Dyche’s Everton are reportedly considering a loan move for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips. Pep Guardiola admitted in December that Phillips does not fit into his plans at City and is looking to offload him this summer.
Phillips made a name for himself at Leeds United, where his standout performances earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad. The midfielder started every game of England’s 2021 Euros campaign, proving himself a valuable member of the national side.
Man City signed Phillips for £45 million in July 2022. However, in his first 18 months at the Etihad Stadium, the England international started just two Premier League games. The lack of game time led to Phillips joining West Ham on a six-month loan deal in January, hoping to regain his form ahead of England’s 2024 Euros squad.
Unfortunately, his stint at West Ham was disastrous. He was limited to just three starts, made glaring errors in the games he played, and was sent off against Nottingham Forest.
The 28-year-old primarily plays as a defensive midfielder but is capable of playing as a central midfielder as well, having started his career as a box-to-box midfielder. The Englishman works hard to win the ball and has good vision and passing abilities, leading people to call him the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’.
Dyche, a known admirer of Phillips, tried to sign him for Burnley back in 2019. However, City’s preference for a permanent transfer could be a significant obstacle. With Everton in a poor financial state, signing Phillips on a permanent deal seems nearly impossible. The Toffees will be hoping City agrees to a season-long loan with a buy clause included in the deal.
Phillips’ departure would benefit both club and player. While he is immensely talented, his future at City looks bleak. Having been omitted from England’s 2024 Euros squad, Phillips will be hoping to revive his career elsewhere.
