Kalvin Phillips, a player long sought after by Newcastle United, has now acknowledged the need to make a decision about his future sooner rather than later. Last summer, Manchester City spent £42 million to acquire the services of Phillips from Leeds United as a defensive midfielder. Surprisingly, he spent the entirety of his tenure on the bench at the Champions.
In his career, Phillips has effortlessly accumulated winner’s medals, much like how Super Mario collects coins. However, England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, has issued a warning, emphasizing the necessity for Phillips to play regularly in order to be part of the Euro 2024 tournament. England successfully qualified for the tournament last night.
The sudden importance of regular playing time, as emphasized by Southgate, raises questions. It didn’t seem to be an issue in the past, as both Phillips and Harry Maguire have been fixtures in the England squad despite minimal club-level involvement.
Following England’s 3-1 victory over Italy, Phillips conceded that he must contemplate his future if he intends to continue representing England. He stated to reporters, “I know that I need to be playing games and competing every weekend. I’m going to have to make a decision on [my future] over the next months.” He also confirmed that Gareth Southgate stressed the importance of consistent game time to maintain his spot, a condition he’s willing to fulfill.
There have been reports suggesting Newcastle’s interest in Phillips, with The Northern Echo reporting that Eddie Howe is preparing for a potential January move, whether it be a loan or a permanent transfer.
The situation may be further exacerbated by Sandro Tonali facing a potential lengthy ban. This development could make acquiring a new midfielder a top priority for Eddie Howe in January. While Howe has several midfield options, the absence of a defensive midfielder was a concern even before Tonali’s issues emerged. The belief was that Tonali could fulfill this role, or Sean Longstaff would drop deeper to allow Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to play more offensively.
Considering the circumstances, a move for Kalvin Phillips is becoming increasingly logical. However, the feasibility of the deal will likely hinge on financial considerations. If Manchester City were open to letting him leave on loan, especially initially, it would align with Newcastle’s preferences.