Humble Kalvin Phillips has already ticked key Sheffield United boxes after Man City transfer lifeline gratitude
He is yet to kick a ball for Sheffield United but former England international Kalvin Phillips has already ticked a lot of the boxes that suggest he will be a good fit at Bramall Lane. The former Leeds United icon sealed a return to his native Yorkshire on deadline day, signing on loan for the remainder of the Championship season.
To sign a 31-cap England international who won the treble with Manchester City as recently as 2023 is both a real coup for the Blades and a statement that no-one involved is giving up hope of making this season a memorable one, despite the obvious challenges ahead.
United moved up to 15th in the table, and to within eight points of the play-offs, in midweek as they beat Oxford United 3-1, with Phillips and fellow new signing Joe Rothwell introduced to the Blades faithful before the game.
Both were not eligible to make their debuts after missing the 12pm cut off on deadline day but are expected to be involved on Monday when United return to Bramall Lane to host promotion-chasing Middlesbrough.
Phillips has made one appearance for City this season, a late sub appearance off the bench in the EFL Cup, and while Rothwell has been more involved at Rangers, both will be eased in to help them acclimatise.
But the early noises from behind the scenes are positive on both fronts, with Phillips described by insiders as a humble character who is looking forward to the chance of kickstarting a career which has somewhat stalled since a £45m move to City back in the summer of 2022.
Humble Kalvin Phillips has already ticked key Sheffield United boxes after Man City transfer lifeline gratitude
Boss Chris Wilder, who had to play the patience game to land the player after the possibility was first flagged early in the transfer window, has already described Phillips and United as “a great fit” and admitted: “I’m saying to him: ‘Thanks for coming and choosing us’ and he’s basically saying: ‘Thanks for having me... I really appreciate the work that you’ve done to make this happen!’
“Neither of them are not going to hit the ground running because of the lack of game time at Rangers and Man City but we'll get them up to speed, and their influence and effect around the place at the training ground is already being felt.
“We're feeling good but we have to keep it going and we know there’s still a long way to go. But we're in a good place at the moment and we just have to keep doing what we're doing.”
Phillips’ time at City has seen him won pretty much everything there is to win but it is also fair to say that he has played a bit-part role in that success, making just over 30 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Injuries haven’t helped his cause, nor has the challenge of trying to usurp a player in Rodri who won the Ballon d’Or in 2024. But his pedigree is undoubted, having been named England player of the year after helping them reach the delayed final of Euro 2020 and if United can get him back enjoying his football, it could be a successful move for all parties.
“It's been well documented, where his career was,” Wilder added. “He was flying and then he went to Man City. I said to him that he couldn’t turn that move down and he was aiming to try and move Rodri.
“He’s had his injuries and a couple of bits and pieces and now hopefully he’ll be able to get going. It’s part and parcel of football, how you handle that disappointment, but hopefully he has a successful time here.
“And most importantly, which I said to both Kalvin and Joe, enjoy the football club. Enjoy working with, in my opinion, good people. The coaches and the players are a real good bunch, the fans are fabulous as we know.
“And as they have taken to Pat [Bamford, a former teammate of Phillips and Rothwell and Leeds] I’m sure they'll take to Joe, they'll take to Kalvin and take to Leo [Hjelde] as well. Because they're good sorts.”
Phillips career may have stalled but this is not seen as a project for Wilder and United. “He wants to come and we’ll all help him,” the Blades chief added. “Players and supporters as well. I didn’t hear the reception he got when he was introduced to the crowd but I’m absolutely sure it would have been a positive one.
“But he doesn’t need that much help, really. He’s had a brilliant career. I’m not there to rub his head. I’ll talk to him and we’ll all help him but he knows how to play well and he knows how to win football matches.
“He’s had an outstanding career and there's no reason why we can't help him get back to where he wants to be. Which is playing well on a football pitch.”
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