Gabriel Agbonlahor says Kalvin Phillips has been hit with even more ‘really bad news’ as his career continues to tailspin.
Manchester City moved to sign Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United in 2022 as a replacement for departed captain Fernandinho and to be Rodri’s backup.
The midfielder arrived at City knowing he had a fight on his hands to get in ahead of the Spaniard but even he must have inspected more minutes.
Phillips may have a treble triumph to his name but he played no significant part in it, only starting a Premier League match once the title was won and playing just 593 minutes in total.
Things didn’t fair much better this season as he made a mere 10 appearances in all competitions before joining West Ham United on loan in January.
Phillips’ struggles have continued at the Hammers and, as a result, he lost his space in the England squad this past week ahead of Euro 2024.
Yet more bad news for Kalvin Phillips
Things might have gotten even worse for Phillips as Gabriel Agbonlahor believes there’s no chance of him getting back in the England squad for this summer’s tournament due to Kobbie Mainoo.
“But what it is is really bad news for Kalvin Phillips,” Agbonlahor said on Mainoo’s emergence on TalkSPORT.
“No one’s even talking about him now.
“Even if he had a few good games at West Ham I feel like his England chances now Mainoo has come into it could be over.
“What I do love about watching Mainoo is even for the Ivan Toney penalty, Kalvin Phillips probably plays it back to Maguire, it goes back to the keeper, back to the left-back.
“Kalvin Phillips has been in squads and squads and squads when he’s not been playing for City.
“Everyone’s been frustrated.”
Kobbie Mainoo isn’t only bad news for Kalvin Phillips
Kobbie Mainoo looks as if he’s been brought up in the wrong Manchester club as his excellent qualities would fit right in at the Etihad.
The midfielder has been excellent for Manchester United and his impressive international bow might have not only earned himself a spot in the Euro 2024 squad but maybe in the starting XI.
That might spell bad news for another City player as it would put an end to Phil Foden’s hopes of playing centrally for England. For now, at least.
The ‘Stockport Iniesta’ sees himself as a creative midfielder and has dazzled when given the chance to play there by Pep Guardiola this season.
Yet, Mainoo’s defensive qualities likely make him a more appealing option to Southgate, with Foden destined to remain on the flanks instead.