Another day, another question mark over Manchester City's flop

It's not very often that Pep Guardiola gets player recruitment wrong. Most players who have signed for the sky blues during the Catalan's reign have proved successful, but the big-money addition from Leeds United, Kalvin Phillips, is not one of them.

Pep's got a confession to make: "I've failed with Kalvin Phillips"

Phillips is contemplating his future, especially after England secured their spot in Euro 2024, which could lead to a potential transfer in January to increase his playing time. Despite his impressive performance in helping England qualify for the Euros, Phillips has struggled to find regular game time with Manchester City since his transfer from Leeds last year. He has yet to start a Premier League match this season and was even an unused substitute in City's recent 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.

This situation has sparked interest from several clubs, including Aston Villa, who have been monitoring Phillips for some time. Villa, along with Newcastle, West Ham, and Tottenham, are reportedly keeping an eye on the situation. The news comes just a few days after the link with German giants Bayern was revealed.

Phillips has hinted at the possibility of a January move to secure more playing time, as he understands the importance of consistent game time to maintain his place in the England squad for the Euros. He acknowledges that he needs to be playing regularly and will need to make a decision regarding his future in the coming months.

Gareth Southgate's message to Phillips reinforces the idea that he must be actively playing to maintain his spot in the national team. Phillips is eager to play as much as possible and has faced challenges over the past year and a half due to injuries and other factors. While he hopes for a chance at Manchester City, he is also open to exploring other options if necessary.