Kalvin Phillips has admitted to feeling the ‘lowest point confidence wise’ of his career this season, despite winning his first Premier League title with Manchester City. The 27-year-old midfielder joined City from Leeds United last summer for £42million, but had to wait until Sunday to make his first league start for his new club, having suffered with fitness and form all campaign. Phillips has made just 19 appearances this season, with only three of them starts, totalling just under 500 minutes of football. As a result, there has even been speculation that he could leave the Etihad after just a single season.
Despite this, Phillips was able to lift the Premier League trophy, only the second major trophy of his career after the 2019/20 Championship title. He told Sky Sports: ‘It was a great feeling. I was happy because we won the league and I knew there might be a chance I could play. I have enjoyed every moment. It has been unbelievably tough this season and probably the lowest point confidence wise in my career. But Kyle Walker and the guys have kept me going and told me I would get my chance. I have tried to be as fit as possible and whenever I get the chance I try to do my best.’
City are now aiming to win the treble, with the FA Cup and Champions League finals in the next few weeks, but Phillips admitted to BBC Radio 5 Live that he hadn’t dreamt of it. He also said he was praying for his boyhood club Leeds after they lost to West Ham on Sunday, a result that leaves them on the verge of relegation. ‘I have been keeping an eye on Leeds all season, to be honest. Obviously not a great result today but just pray to God they get a good result in the last game and hopefully keep that great club in the Premier League.’