Manchester City will face Swansea City in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup this week, but despite recent optimism surrounding Kalvin Phillips’ fitness, Pep Guardiola has played down the chances of the midfielder featuring from the start.
Phillips, once a key figure for England, continues to struggle for game time at the Etihad despite regaining fitness after a long absence.
Guardiola pours cold water on Phillips’ starting hopes
Kalvin Phillips’ fitness and career at Manchester City remains at a crossroads. Since joining the club from Leeds United in July 2022 for £45 million, the 29-year-old has found himself battling for relevance in a side overflowing with midfield talent.
His recent appearance in the Carabao Cup third-round victory over Huddersfield Town was his first in nearly two years — a brief seven-minute cameo that highlighted both his persistence and his precarious standing within Guardiola’s setup.
Although some supporters hoped that outing would mark the beginning of his reintegration into the squad, Guardiola’s latest comments suggest otherwise.
Ahead of City’s trip to the Liberty Stadium, the Spanish manager dismissed the likelihood of Phillips making the starting XI.
“For a start no but maybe he will travel with us,” Guardiola said during his pre-match press conference.
“He is a player for the team, the squad. He is coming back, he trains with us, we treat him like another player. The decision of whether he plays or not belongs to me. He is always an unbelievable guy. It is a joy to have him in the locker room.”
It was a typically diplomatic response from the City boss, but one that leaves little doubt about Phillips’ current role.
Despite being fully fit and training regularly with the first team, he appears to remain far from Guardiola’s preferred rotation. The situation echoes previous frustrations, where Phillips has often been described as professional and positive off the pitch, yet rarely trusted to influence matters on it.
Since joining City, Phillips has made just 32 appearances across all competitions, a modest return for a player once regarded as the heartbeat of Leeds United and a vital member of Gareth Southgate’s England midfield.
His lack of involvement led to a loan spell at Ipswich Town last season, where he featured 19 times but couldn’t prevent the Tractor Boys from dropping out of the Premier League.
This summer, there were expectations he might move permanently in search of regular minutes. However, with his current contract running until 2028 and wages that few clubs could match, a transfer failed to materialise.
That has left him in limbo — a talented midfielder training among Europe’s elite but rarely given a chance to show it on the pitch.
Guardiola’s management style often favours smaller, tightly-knit squads to maintain cohesion, which may partly explain Phillips’ predicament.
The Catalan has consistently rotated within a core group of trusted players, making it challenging for others to break through once left behind. In Phillips’ case, that exclusion has stretched across 645 days before his brief reappearance last month.
Phillips’ long road back and his message to supporters
Kalvin Phillips‘ fitness for the past two years have been marked by frustration, patience, and perseverance. Following his transfer, the England international endured both injury setbacks and fierce competition for midfield places — most notably from Rodri, whose consistency has made him almost undroppable.
His return to action in September, though short-lived, was a significant moment on a personal level. Having struggled with an Achilles issue earlier in the season, Phillips expressed relief and gratitude to finally step back onto the pitch wearing a City shirt.
- Man City make decision on signing Rodri replacement in January
- Guardiola declares player ready to play, gives Rodri and Haaland injury update
Writing on Instagram after the win against Huddersfield, he reflected: “It’s been a long 3 and a half months out and there’s still work to be done personally.
“Nevertheless, I’m so happy to be back out on the pitch again in a City shirt. Thank you to the fans for your support, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Onto the next round @mancity.”
That message captured the optimism of a player still fighting to prove himself, even as opportunities remain scarce.
His professionalism and positive attitude have been regularly praised within the club, but sentiment alone cannot secure him game time under a manager who prizes tactical precision and form above all else.
