Since signing for Manchester City from Leeds United in the summer transfer window, Kalvin Phillips has played the full 90 minutes on just one occasion. It has certainly not been the debut campaign he will have been hoping for, but he is more than capable of proving himself in a blue shirt.
When he arrived at the Etihad Stadium, it was viewed as a good move for both parties. It was a step up in Phillips' career, and Pep Guardiola had gained an England international who looked to have everything required to thrive as part of his City side. The midfielder had impressed with the Whites, but he looked ready for a change - and he got it.
Phillips has missed 11 matches through injury this term, which has seen him make just 13 appearances in all competitions for the reigning Premier League champions. The 27-year-old has made just two starts - none of which have come in the top-flight, or in the Champions League for that matter.
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Given his lack of minutes for City, the England ace has been tentatively linked with a move away. Admittedly, that is highly unlikely to happen, but he certainly needs to find a way to start contributing for the Blues. With that in mind, then, the 90 minutes he managed in England's win over Italy in the first of their two Euro 2024 qualifiers was a step in the right direction.
The former Leeds man started alongside Borussia Dortmund ace Jude Bellingham and West Ham star Declan Rice. The latter opened the scoring for the Three Lions against Roberto Mancini's side, while the in-demand Bellingham once again impressed on his 23rd appearance for his country.
For Phillips, he looked comfortable playing alongside the pair. It was not his best performance in an England shirt, but the midfielder was clearly doing something right as Gareth Southgate opted to leave him on for the full game, with Bellingham being replaced by Chelsea man Conor Gallagher in the second half.
Even last season, when Phillips spent a lot of the time on the sidelines at Elland Road, the midfielder still made 21 starts for Leeds. The campaign before that, he managed 29.
The England international has always been a player that performs better when starting. As much as anything, the 27-year-old is not - and will never be - an impact substitute. Instead, he is the player you want on the ball when you need to keep possession in the latter stages of a game.
Clearly, Phillips must take some responsibility for his lack of action under Guardiola this term, but there is also a fair suggestion that he has not always had the opportunity to do that. For England, though, he looks a completely different player. Despite having managed just 344 minutes in all competitions this term, the midfield ace was able to start for Southgate's side in a difficult test against Italy at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
He has played better matches for the Three Lions, that is without question. Yet, his showing against the Italians - all 90 minutes of it - proved that Phillips was still capable of playing an important role for City this season. It was less than two years ago that the Blues man was named the Three Lions' Player of the Year, so writing him off at the Etihad, this early on in his career, has never really made sense.
With Rodri ahead of him in the pecking order, Phillips is not going to return from international duty and immediately start ahead of the Spaniard. However, his steady performance in Naples showed that he is able to play the full 90 minutes in a pressured environment. As City continue to hunt down Arsenal in the Premier League title race - and aim to finally end their Champions League quest - having more trusted options can only benefit Guardiola.
Phillips should get the chance to prove his worth to City between now and the end of the season, but even if his opportunities are limited, the midfielder must try and show that he has what it takes to be a Guardiola player.
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