Manchester City midfielder undergoes Achilles surgery as transfer hunt expected | OneFootball

Kalvin Phillips has now undergone surgery on an Achilles injury in the latest blow to his Manchester City career, it has been revealed.

The England international is fresh off the back of his latest loan spell away from the Etihad Stadium, as he continues to search for the form that ultimately earned him a move to Manchester City in 2022.

Having endured a hugely difficult time with the club in terms of earning consistent game time and securing the required trust of manager Pep Guardiola, it has become apparent that there is simply no chance of him making the grade under the Catalan tactician.

A short-term loan spell was sanctioned midway through the 2023/24 season when Phillips spent the second-half of the campaign at West Ham, before joining newly-promoted side Ipswich the following season.

But with the latest of those deals coming to an end in unfortunate circumstances, directly due to an injury problem, Kalvin Phillips’ hopes of getting back up to speed and preparing sufficiently for the new season have taken a significant blow.

That is according to MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, who reveals that Phillips has undergone surgery on an Achilles injury and is not expected to be back fit until August following the operation, with his Etihad Stadium future in doubt.

It is explained that the Englishman will be seeking a move from Manchester City either on a permanent or loan agreement, with it clear that the 29-year-old does not feature in Pep Guardiola’s future plans.

While the player would not have been in contention to join the City squad at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, Phillips will still use the club’s facilities while undergoing his rehabilitation.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna recently spoke out about Kalvin Phillips’ time at Portman Road, piling on the praise for the work that the former Leeds United captain had put in to throw himself into contention for a consistent starting place.

“It’s been frustrating for him and us. A really fully-fit and confident Kalvin would’ve been a real addition,” McKenna said following the conclusion of the season.

“But he’s been a really good person around the group,” he added. “I’m sure there’ll be bits from the season that he’ll take. Hopefully he can have a good season next year.”

For now, it remains to be seen what standard of opportunity could present itself for Kalvin Phillips ahead of the new season, with some reports suggesting the idea of an emotional return to Leeds United following their promotion to the Premier League.

However, reports closer to the Elland Road club have pointed towards the midfielder’s salary as a likely stumbling block in any proposed return, despite the obvious financial benefits of promotion back into the English top-flight.