Kalvin Phillips has insisted he has no intention of quitting Manchester City this summer after an injury-hit first season at the club.
The England midfielder was signed from Leeds United in a £45 million move on a six-year contract last July but made only 21 appearances in all competitions as Manchester City secured a historic treble.
Phillips, 27, started just two Premier League games for Pep Guardiola's side, who sealed their third title in a row after overcoming the challenge of Arsenal who held top spot for much of the campaign.
He ended the season by scoring his first England goal in Monday’s 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia in a Euro 2024 qualifier at Old Trafford and goes into the summer focused on getting himself fully fit.
“To be honest I was injured before I even went to City, so that is one of the main reasons why I was injured so much,” he said.
“City have been amazing to help me get back to full fitness and I eventually played a few more games for City and England, so credit to the medical staff at City for helping me.
“My intention is to stay there. We have just won the treble, so there is no reason for me to leave, other than if I am not playing, [then] I will obviously have to think about it.
“I cannot give it 12 months and say, ‘I am not playing so I am going to leave’. I came to Manchester City to win trophies and we won the trophies, but I didn’t play as much as I wanted to do.
“With England I played a little bit, but was ruled out through injuries as well. It is just nice to be back fit. I have nothing to worry about now. Everything is fine with my body. I will continue to work hard next season and hopefully do well when I go back to City.”
Man City 2022/23 season ratings
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MANCHESTER CITY 2022-23 SEASON RATINGS: Ederson -7. No Golden Glove this year but remains vital to the way City build from the back. Getty -
Stefan Ortega - 7. Enjoyed great success in FA Cup conceding just a single goal in six matches. EPA -
Kyle Walker -7. Ended the season at the top of his form after a dip earlier in the campaign. Reuters -
Rico Lewis - 6. Teenager can be proud of first season at top level. Made 14 appearances and a big impression. PA -
John Stones - 9. Season of his life playing as a central defender, right back and midfielder. Class. Hard to fault. AFP -
Ruben Dias - 8. Missed a chunk of the season but was back to commanding best on the run in. Getty -
Aymeric Laporte - 5. Couldn’t force his way into the starting eleven often enough but dependable. Getty -
Manuel Akanji - 7.5. Turned out to be a bargain buy. His experience and class shone through in tough moments. Getty -
Nathan Ake - 8. Most improved player this season. Key to build up play down the left and reliable in the middle. Getty -
Joao Cancelo - 4. Never reached his brilliant best and left for Bayern Munich on loan mid-season. Future up in air. Getty -
Sergio Gomez - 5. Some glimpses of class going forward but like others before him found it hard in first season under Pep. Getty -
Rodri - 9. Probably the best holding midfielder in the world at present. Took his game to new heights. Getty -
Kalvin Phillips - 5. Did little wrong but struggled to make an impact with Rodri in such commanding form ahead of him. Getty -
Bernardo Silva - 7. If this was his last season at City, he went out in style. The chief architect of Real Madrid’s UCL exit. Getty -
Ilkay Gundogan - 9. The bigger the occasion the better he played. Captain was pivotal to all the big moments in the campaign. AFP -
Kevin De Bruyne - 8. Maintained his ridiculously high standards as one of the top playmakers the game has ever seen. EPA -
Phil Foden - 6.5. Stop-start season thanks to injuries but his class shone through when he got a run. Getty -
Riyad Mahrez - 6. His close control remains mesmerising and his goals played a vital part. EPA -
Jack Grealish - 8. Vying with Ake for the biggest leap of improvement. Fully earned Pep’s trust. PA -
Cole Palmer - 5. Just didn’t happen for the homegrown youngster who still has bags of potential and time on his side. Reuters -
Julian Alvarez - 7. Overshadowed at City by Haaland’s exploits but a fine season for the World Cup winner. Getty -
Erling Haaland - 9.5. Would have been 10 but Pep tends to improve players in their second season! Simply a goal-machine. PA -
Pep Guardiola - 9. Re-invented his tactics masterfully and turned the team into a winning machine with an incredible mentality. Getty
Phillips admitted he is still trying to get to grips with Guardiola's system and has been seeking advice from teammates Nathan Ake and Jack Grealish, who both took time to adapt to what was required from the Spanish manager.
"I just know how difficult it is to understand the way Pep wants to play and how quickly you need to adapt to play in his system," said Phillips.
“I am on the brink of almost getting it. Obviously, there is a little bit of work in pre-season and hopefully be all right.
“As you have seen with many players at City, it can take quite a while to cement yourself into the team. Hopefully, I will enjoy my off-season and then work hard when I get back.
“I spoke to quite a few of the players about it. Nathan Ake being one, Jack, they all said the same, they all said the first 12 months were the hardest of their City careers but, after that, it doesn’t become easy, but easier.
“I’m just going to go away for the off-season and enjoy myself with my family and girlfriend and friends and then come back fighting.
“I will definitely speak to Pep. I don’t know whether it will be in the summer because everyone enjoys their downtime and everyone wants their space away from football, so I’ll probably leave it until I go back for pre-season but I’ll just speak to him and have a good conversation.”
