Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has said he wants to “enjoy playing football again” after joining newly-promoted Ipswich Town on a season-long loan.
Former England international Phillips has made six starts since joining City for £42 million from Leeds in July 2022 and spent the second half of last season struggling to establish himself as a starter on loan to West Ham.
The 28-year-old has been enthused by “really good conversations” with manager Kieran McKenna and chief executive Mark Ashton and has called Ipswich’s rapid progress – winning successive promotions to become a top-flight club for the first time since 2002 – a “great story”.
All smiles. 😄 pic.twitter.com/wrzWyMye5X
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) August 16, 2024
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Phillips: Ipswich ‘exciting’
“I’ve had some great conversations with players I know here and also with the manager, who I have obviously heard a lot about,” added Phillips to Ipswich’s website.
“I’m excited to be here and be part of his team, playing how he likes to play the game. I want to play as many games as possible, enjoy playing football again and help the team win as many games as possible in the Premier League.”
City manager Pep Guardiola suggested earlier on Friday that Phillips had decided to join Town rather than being frozen out by him.
Kalvin Phillips stats
Phillips spent two seasons in the Premier League with Leeds before joining the Cityzens, for whom he played as an experimental central defender at one point during pre-season.
The Leeds youth product has made 31 appearances for the Three Lions, scoring his only international goal during Uefa Euro 2024 qualifying.
The England Men’s Player of the Year for 2020-21, Phillips’ absence – caused by a loss of form and lack of club playing time – was cited as a problem by then-national team manager Gareth Southgate when he was questioned about his midfield options at Euro 2024.
It’s the number 8️⃣ shirt for KP. ✨ pic.twitter.com/TAfLUlOPmo
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) August 16, 2024
Ipswich fixtures, schedule
Phillips will be tasked with helping Ipswich avoid a relegation battle when their season begins at home to Liverpool on Saturday (12.30pm BST).
“Kalvin has much to offer us in terms of his qualities both on and off the ball, and he is a really humble and likeable character,” said McKenna.
“He has been a key member of a newly-promoted team in the Premier League before and made a big impression for Leeds United during that period.
“Like all players who come here, we want to try and help them improve – whether that’s a younger player or one with more experience.
“That’s a big part of our culture and we’re sure Kalvin can make some big steps with us to help him and the club have a really positive season.”
