'Definitely playing' - Man City fans suggest new Kalvin Phillips position after training reveal
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(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media)
Oliver Walton
Fri 12 September 2025 11:38, UK
Man City fans think that Kalvin Phillips could be set to play his part in a new position this season after he was spotted in training while he nears a return to full fitness.
Kalvin Phillips has struggled to ever nail down a place in Man City‘s starting eleven since he joined them from his boyhood club Leeds for an initial £42million [Sky Sports] fee back in 2022.
The defensive midfielder has made just 31 appearances under Pep Guardiola in the three years since his move, and he spent time out on loan at West Ham in 2023/24 before moving to newly-promoted Ipswich Town for the 2024/25 campaign last summer.
Another exit seemed likely this summer following his tough spell at Portman Road, after former scout Mick Brown first revealed to Football Insider back in March that Phillips was eager to re-join Leeds as he eyed a permanent departure from the Etihad Stadium.
His recovery from an achilles surgery in the summer seemingly ruled him out of leaving, however, and City fans believe that he could now have a part to play under Guardiola in an unfamiliar position this season as he nears a return to action.
Phillips struggled to make an impact as Ipswich were relegated (Credit Imago)
Man City shared a number of photos of the first-team squad in training to their official X page on Thursday (11 September), and many eagle-eyed supporters spotted a player who looked a lot like Phillips in the background of a picture, insinuating that he is now fit to play a part if Guardiola wants him to.
The picture in question was shared around the site by Citizens fans, who were even shocked at the 29-year-old’s inclusion in training, given that he last played for the club all the way back in December 2023.
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City’s right-back issues stem from a decision not to sign a player in that position during the summer, with Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes, who each prefer to play in central midfield, both being utilised there by Guardiola over the last nine months since Kyle Walker‘s initial loan exit.
One fan replied to a screenshot of the photo of Phillips by suggesting that he could solve their problems, saying: “he’s definitely playing at rb this weekend lol,” while another rhetorically asked: “Real talk, can Kalvin Phillips play right back?”
Another supporter backed him to make an instant impact against Man United this weekend, saying: “Starting at left or right back in the Derby,” while one also suggested a different position, replying: “CB and RB sessions this season,” with an eyes emoji.
One fan has convinced themselves that Phillips will play at right-back, as they took to X to say: “I know Pep Guardiola will play Kalvin Phillips at right back at some point this season, I just can’t prove it…” as another encouraged the England man and said: “Kalvin Phillips right back.
The world is not ready.”
While Phillips may well find himself back in the City squad at some point, it does seem unlikely that he puts a shift in at right-back, and Guardiola should be kicking himself that he didn’t bring in a new player in that position in the summer window.
Both Lewis and Nunes have struggled to nail down their place on the right of the back-four, hence City fans’ suggestions of Phillips being ready to step in.
The Etihad club needed to fully solve their issues in that position over the last few months, and Tino Livramento should have been brought in to do just that.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
His strong Newcastle showings in the last campaign saw him linked with a move to Guardiola’s side, with former scout Mick Brown revealing to Football Insider in July that Man City were set to step up their interest in Livramento amid aims to bring in a new right-back following Walker’s exit.
A move did not materialise, however, as Lewis signed a new five-year contract, but Guardiola should regret not fully pursuing Livramento’s signature, as City have already struggled at the back this season and he would have helped their issues massively.