Pundit wowed by Kalvin Phillips at Leeds United as ‘really unique’ claim made live on talkSPORT
Kalvin Phillips was playing “really, really well” for Leeds United before his move to Manchester City, according to Darren Bent.
The 27-year-old spent eight years in the first-team at Elland Road before his switch to the Etihad in 2022, joining on a six-year deal.
The midfielder has made 25 appearances for Manchester City, with four of those coming in all competitions this season.
“When I first saw Kalvin Phillips at Leeds, I remember thinking ‘Wow. Who is this kid?’” Bent said live on talkSPORT. “And then he got to the first-team, was playing really, really well, and then Gareth Southgate was about to call him up while he was in the Championship with Leeds, but something happened and he didn’t get to play.
“He then got the move to Manchester City and I thought ‘I quite like this.’ Because he’s a good player, did really well for England in the Euros.
“But since then he hasn’t kicked a ball. And for him it’s a really unique and difficult position to be in. Because he’s not playing games, but on the flip side he’s at the best team in the world.”
Wasted talent
Phillips is definitely wasting his potential at Manchester City, with the midfielder really struggling for minutes under Pep Guardiola.
An exit from Manchester would have been a great idea in the summer transfer window, but the England international has remained with the defending champions.
Despite the lack of game time, he remains a part of Southgate’s England squad, but that may not last if his deputy role behind Rodri at club level continues.
However, Phillips may just gain a rare start under Guardiola against Wolves on Saturday (30 September) given how the Spaniard is suspended.
But the England man will no doubt find himself back on the bench when Rodri returns, with Phillips handed just 45 minutes in the league this season.
He has also been given seven minutes in the Champions League, with his only 90 minutes arriving in the League Cup third round defeat to Newcastle United on Wednesday (27 September).
In other Leeds United news, a journalist has mooted further development for one Whites ace as a Marcus Thuram comparison is made.