The expectation this summer was that Kalvin Phillips (remember him?) would join the Manchester City squad on their pre-season tour of Asia.
At least it was for those outside the club.
It would offer a chance to train with elite players, regain some fitness and perhaps convince Enzo Maresca that maybe, just maybe, he deserves another chance in Manchester next season.
But on Tuesday the midfielder was omitted from the squad for the tour, and reports are that talks are now ongoing for another loan move to Sheffield United in the Championship.
Few players have fallen so badly. Phillips joined City in 2024 from Leeds United, seemingly another shrewd, talented acquisition, frightening for the Cityzens’ rivals.
He came in for a £42m fee but immediately flopped under Pep Guardiola. There are still two years left on the six-year contract he signed in the summer of 2024, and he has gone from loan move to loan move since then, first to West Ham and then to Ipswich.
Phillips joined Sheffield United in the middle of last season after failing yet again to get minutes at City last season due to injury, but after only three appearances at Sheffield he suffered yet another injury that ruled him out of the season. He made only four appearances in total for the club, one of them a seven-minute cameo in the EFL Cup.
Sheffield United coach Chris Wilder has expressed his interest in bringing the midfielder back to Bramall Lane, where he believes he can regain some form and revitalise his career. Phillips remains under contract at City until 2028.
Kalvin Phillips has joined Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season.
Best of luck, Kalvin 🩵 pic.twitter.com/mAIqXI7LoN
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 2, 2026
Who else at City is facing an uncertain future?
Jack Grealish was also left out of the travelling squad for the Asia tour, but this is because he is still recovering from a foot surgery. The midfielder joined Everton on loan last season and impressed before suffering the foot injury.
Maresca said the possibility of Grealish playing for City again had not been ruled out, but Everton have expressed interest in signing him on loan again. For now the 30-year-old is continuing his recovery in Manchester, and a decision will be made later in the summer as to where he will play next season. Grealish is under contract until 2027.
