Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed that midfield outcast Kalvin Phillips rejected a loan move away from the club this summer in order to continue to push for first-team chances in the upcoming campaign.
The England midfielder moved to the Etihad from Leeds United last summer in a deal worth £45m, but saw his opportunities severely limited.
So far, the 27-year-old has managed just 22 appearances for the Cityzens, with just four of those coming from the start and totalling just 600 minutes for the treble winners.
His absence from the side, and Rodri’s continued importance to Manchester City, led to speculation that he could leave this summer amid interest from West Ham United and abroad.
However in June Phillips re-affirmed his commitment to the club.
‘My intention is to stay at City. We have just won the Treble, so there is no reason for me to leave. If I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it,’ he said.
‘Hopefully I will enjoy my off season and then work hard when I get back’.
Now, Guardiola has revealed that the England man turned down the chance to leave.
‘We talked with him and the club with the chance to maybe go on loan because he did not have a lot of minutes’, Guardiola revealed.
‘But he decided “no, I want to stay”. He is more than welcome.
‘As a good guy who accepts everything and stays, they are welcome. When we finish the transfer window, every player here is part of the family and are going to help.’
Phillips has made one substitute appearance this season so far, but will be expected to contribute more as the campaign goes on and the competitions pile up.
