Kalvin Phillips hinted after Tuesday’s win over Italy he may have to leave Manchester City in order to get game time ahead of Euro 2024 – but Carlton Palmer has rubbished any chance of a Leeds United return.
The 27-year-old played 70 minutes for England on Tuesday night as the Three Lions secured a place at Euro 2024, with a 3-1 win over Italy. Phillips was his usual self, disrupting play and keeping the ball well.
Perhaps lucky not to receive a second yellow for a tackle on Nicolo Barella, the England star coped well before being taken off. He has now played more minutes for England this season, than he has for City.
A recent report from iNews states that Newcastle and Everton are keen, while Bayern Munich are also being linked. A Leeds return in January is out of the question while we are in the Championship, though.
That is according to ex-Leeds midfielder Palmer, who spoke to Football League World about Phillips and his future at The Etihad. He feels Phillips needs to leave City – but there’s no chance of a move to Leeds.
“Phillips has been linked with a nostalgic move back to Leeds. I very much doubt this, I’m not sure Kalvin would want to play in the Championship and Leeds would not be able to afford his salary in any event.
“Kalvin needs to move, I questioned the sense of the move at the time. He miraculously still retains his England spot, I understand the financials but as a professional footballer, it’s about playing football.”
Palmer rubbishes chances of Phillips returning to Leeds United
While Leeds are in the Championship, there is no chance. Even if City wanted a portion of his wages, it would still blow our wage structure to pieces. Something Leeds have worked hard on since the drop.
But, if he goes somewhere on loan in January and returns to City that summer – and Leeds go straight back up, then there is a chance we could get him back. Premier League football is a necessity for him.
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