Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has stated that he wants to stay at the club next season despite his peripheral role under Pep Guardiola this season.
The England international joined City last summer in a deal worth £42million after starring for Leeds United. However, he was restricted to just four starts in all competitions despite the club playing into finals and winning a historic Treble.
There has been uncertainty growing over his future heading into next season. The 27-year-old is reportedly wanted by West Ham, who view the midfielder as an ideal candidate to replace outgoing captain Declan Rice.
But Phillips insists he wants to stay and fight for his place at City next season. However, he has stressed he will hold talks with Guardiola when City return to pre-season training in July.
“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.
“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.”
