Kalvin Phillips Opens Up About Stressful Time at Man City: Finds New Life at West Ham
In a recent interview, England midfielder Kalvin Phillips revealed that his time at Manchester City was “stressful” and that his loan move to West Ham has made him feel “more alive.” Phillips, who made a £42 million switch from Leeds to City in 2022, had only six starts under Pep Guardiola’s management.
During his time at City, Phillips faced criticism from Guardiola over his weight, which significantly affected his confidence. The midfielder admitted that the criticism took a toll on him and even pushed him away from the game. However, since joining West Ham in January, he has experienced a renewed sense of passion for football.
“The game wasn’t letting me down, but the fact that I had nothing to look forward to kind of pushed me away,” Phillips explained. “Now I’m here at West Ham and playing, I feel a lot more alive. It’s not starting from scratch, it’s starting afresh.”
Guardiola had publicly stated that Phillips returned overweight after the 2022 World Cup with England. Phillips acknowledged that Guardiola was right to address the issue but felt that there were better ways to handle it. The criticism affected both his confidence and his family’s happiness, particularly his mother’s.
“It was just a misunderstanding, and I think he was very frustrated with me coming back 1.5kg over my weight target,” Phillips said.
Despite winning the Treble with City last season and the Club World Cup in December, Phillips found himself on the fringes of the team. The arrival of midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes further intensified the competition for places, limiting Phillips to just 380 minutes of play in the Premier League before going out on loan.
Describing his time at City, Phillips stated, “It wasn’t a nightmare at City, it was just stressful.” However, he now hopes that regular football at West Ham will solidify his place in the England squad for the upcoming European Championships.
Before making the move to West Ham, Phillips had conversations with England manager Gareth Southgate, who advised him on his decision. His England teammate and former West Ham midfielder Declan Rice also played a role in selling the club to him. Ultimately, it was Hammers boss David Moyes who convinced Phillips that West Ham was the right move for him.
“I felt like if I wasn’t going to play at City, I want to go to a club where I’m wanted,” Phillips added.
Phillips’ loan move to West Ham has provided him with a fresh start and an opportunity to prove himself on a regular basis. With his newfound enthusiasm and determination, he aims to make his mark both at the club level and with the England national team.