Kalvin Phillips has joined Sheffield United on loan from Manchester City for the remainder of the season.
The 30-year-old midfielder has managed just seven minutes of football this season — his only appearance came in the Carabao Cup. Although other clubs showed interest, Phillips opted to return to Yorkshire in hopes of revitalising his career.
Phillips spent eight years at Leeds United, making 214 appearances, before moving to Manchester City for around £42m in 2022. He was part of City’s treble-winning squad in his first season but featured sparingly, recording 21 appearances in all competitions that campaign and 12 in the Premier League. Overall for City he made 32 appearances and has had loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich in the past two seasons. His last time playing in the Championship was with Leeds in 2020.
Internationally, Phillips has 31 England caps and played a key role in the side that reached the Euro 2020 final; his most recent cap came in 2023.
It is understood Manchester City will continue to pay the majority of his wages while he is at Bramall Lane.
Jamie Redknapp (Sky Sports) said Phillips wants to play and put himself on the line: having failed to displace Rodri at City and with limited opportunities, he hopes regular football at Sheffield United will help restore confidence.
Ben Ransom (Sky Sports News) added that a drop into the Championship could allow Phillips to rebuild his career. After a promising move to City in 2022 that did not yield the expected progression — unlike team-mate Erling Haaland — and mixed loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich, a return to Yorkshire might provide the platform he needs to reignite his form.