Kalvin Phillips wants to STAY at Man City next season despite his lack of gametime

Kalvin Phillips wants to stay at Manchester City next season despite his peripheral role under Pep Guardiola.

The England international joined City last summer in a deal worth £42million – but was restricted to just four starts in all competitions as the club won a historic Treble, with uncertainty growing over his future heading into next season.

Phillips is wanted by West Ham, who view the midfielder as a prime candidate to replace outgoing captain Declan Rice.

But the 27-year-old, who scored his first international goal in the 7-0 win over North Macedonia, insists it is his preference to stay and fight for his place at City next season – but has stressed he will hold talks with Guardiola when they return to pre-season training next month.

‘My intention is to stay at City. We have just won the Treble, so there is no reason for me to leave. If I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it,’ he said.

Kalvin Phillips wants to stay at Manchester City next season despite his peripheral role

The midfielder started just four games in all competitions for City as they won a historic Treble

‘But I cannot give it 12 months and say “I am not playing so I am going to leave”. As you have seen with many players at City, it can take quite a while to cement yourself into the team.

‘Hopefully I will enjoy my off season and then work hard when I get back.

‘I will definitely speak to Pep. I don’t know whether it will be in the summer because everyone enjoys their downtime and everyone wants their space away from football so I’ll probably leave it until I go back for pre-season but I’ll just speak to him and have a good conversation.’

Fitness issues contributed to Phillips’ lack of game time last season; shoulder and hamstring problems restricting his availability.

But the former Leeds star believes he is over his fitness complaints and is ready to make a success of his second season at City.

And he can take inspiration from a number of City players, including Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake, who have taken at least a season to adapt to Guardiola’s style of play.

‘To be honest I was injured before I even went to City so that is one of the main reasons why I was injured so much,’ he explained.

‘City have been amazing to help me get back to full fitness and I eventually played a few more games for City and England, so credit to the medical staff at City for helping me.

‘It was my hamstring that I had my operation on at Leeds. I was still struggling with that and then my shoulder that I did when I was at Leeds as well before the Euros.

‘So it was just recurring injuries.

‘I have felt 100 percent for quite a while but obviously have not played and everyone has seen that.

‘But I’ve not missed a game since being back from the operation. I’ve been on the bench but not been unfit to not be in the squad. I’ve felt 100 percent since then.’

Phillips insisted he planned to speak to Pep Guardiola this summer over his lack of gametime

He also revealed he had spoken to Jack Grealish (centre)  and Nathan Ake (right) who similarly struggled in their first season at City, before going onto shine in their second year at the club 

On improving during his second season at the Etihad, he added: ‘I spoke to quite a few of the players about it. Nathan Ake being one. Jack.

‘They all said the same, “the first 12 months were the hardest of their City careers”.

‘I’m just going to go away for the off-season and enjoy myself with my family and girlfriend and friends and then come back fighting.

‘Just know how difficult it is to understand the way Pep wants to play and how quickly you need to adapt to play in his system. I am on the brink of almost getting it.

‘Obviously there is a little bit of work in pre-season and hopefully I’ll be alright.’