Kieran McKenna makes significant admissions on Kalvin Phillips to give Manchester City huge hope | OneFootball

Manchester City may be on the verge of witnessing their big-money investment in Kalvin Phillips finding his form once again at the top of English football.

Despite claiming an incredible haul of silverware and winners’ medals during his two full seasons registered to Manchester City thus far, Kalvin Phillips has endured a hugely challenging career in Sky Blue.

Having largely failed to displace Rodri as Manchester City’s go-to defensive midfield option, and struggled to find strong performances during his rare opportunities in the line-up, Phillips has been granted back-to-back loan spells to try and re-find some form.

The end of last season saw the former Leeds United star take a trip to David Moyes’ West Ham, but ultimately failed to pick up his standards on the field, and sustained an injury problem to end his loan stay early.

Speaking during a recent press conference, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has been keen to point out the positives in Kalvin Phillips’ spell at Portman Road thus far in his new season-long loan agreement from Manchester City.

“Kalvin Phillips is settling in well and he’s enjoying it day-to-day here,” McKenna said. “He is getting fitter and every performance from him has probably been a bit stronger than the last.”

He continued, “It doesn’t always work like that and it’s not always a perfect line, but we feel if he can keep working as he is, then he has a chance to work himself up to some really good form. He’s been important to us.”

Explaining the key assets Phillips brings to the newly-promoted side, McKenna continued, “Again that is one of Kalvin’s big, big strengths – he is very good in front of the back four.

“He breaks up play really well and he is very mobile in those situations and reads danger well. He and Samy (Morsy) have given us a good platform in the couple of games they’ve played together.”

Whilst many would feel that Kalvin Phillips’ chances of becoming a regular Manchester City player have now gone, manager Pep Guardiola has previously suggested that he can “absolutely” become a part of his plans in future.

Despite the serious long-term injury sustained by Rodri, it is understood that those within the Etihad Stadium have no option of recalling Kalvin Phillips from his loan agreement at Ipswich, irrespective of his success for the Tractor Boys.