Kalvin Phillips considering January exit from Manchester City

Since joining from Leeds, Kalvin Phillips has barely played under Guardiola

Following Pep Guardiola's most recent blatant usage of the England international, Kalvin Phillips and Manchester City seem more certain to split ways in January.

The obvious choice would be the choice for £42 million signing Phillips to fill in for the banned dominant Rodri for City's greatest domestic match of this campaign thus far.

The fact that 18-year-old Rico Lewis, whose career has more frequently played at fullback for Manchester City, was chosen above him after excelling in that midfield position in the Champions League on Wednesday, spoke for itself.

It puts Kalvin Phillips, who has made two Premier League appearances this year but failed to make an impression, facing down the barrel of a choice he chose to put off in the summer. I understand that a move in January is becoming more plausible.

Although City were willing to let him leave in the summer, the midfielder chose to stay because he believed that leaving would result in conceding defeat too soon after joining from Leeds United.

It will grieve him that he is unable to contribute at City, despite the fact that injuries have created an opportunity for the squad. He is a quiet, tenacious individual whose cool demeanour conceals an aggressive steeliness. Unless Guardiola has an unexpected change of heart.

He has appeared in just 10% of City's total minutes in all tournaments this year despite having no fitness or endurance difficulties, which will be concerning for a player aiming to make England's Euro 2024 squad.

Gareth Southgate, the manager of England, has chosen him once more for the forthcoming doubleheader against Australia and Italy. Even so, he acknowledged that Phillips' absence was "not ideal" because it left him open to the influence of other English midfielders who play frequently.