Juventus offering Phillips an escape route

Manchester City’s game with Chelsea on Sunday will probably be the biggest test so far for Kalvin Phillips. The England international was called for the EURO 2024 games (again) even thou he is not playing under Pep Guardiola. And his status with the Blues is worse by the day, and Sunday will be another test for Philips. John Stones, City’s most important defender has been injured again, and it’s the same injury as the one which forced him to miss 10 games at the start of the season. Not only Stones plays a central defender, he plays as a defensive midfielder when Rodri is missing (like against Young Boys in the Champions League). So, if Phillips still doesn’t get the nod against Chelsea on Sunday, a January move should be a logical destination for the player. And there are clubs who are interested.

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The most logical one was Newcastle United, who stepped up from the moment Sandro Tonali was suspended for the season, but the Magpies are searching for a loan deal rather than a permanent transfer, since they are expecting Tonali back in August 2024, while the Citizens are looking for a fee. Why would they strengthen another Premier League rival only for a loan fee? But, there are clubs outside England ready to do the deal, and for them, Pep Guardiola might be willing to give Phillips on a loan.

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According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the City’s reserve player has agreed to join the Italian giants Juventus on a six month loan. Juve directors Cristiano Giuntoli and Giovanni Manna travelled to London this week and met with representatives from Stellar Group, the agency who represent Phillips. The player apparently is keen on a move, as he knows that another half-season without regular football will seriously damage his status with Gareth Southgate, despite the fact that the England manager is fond of the player. He earns around 5 million euros per year, which is too much to the financially strapped Juve, but they could pay half of his wage to City. On the other side, the England champion can see this as a good deal, since they are letting a player go on a short-term deal to get some minutes to the outside team in Europe, which doesn’t play in UEFA competitions this year.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 12

Friday

22.45: (2.00) Genoa (3.30) Verona (4.00)

Saturday

17.00: (5.00) Lecce (3.50) Milan (1.75)

20.00: (1.35) Juventus (4.90) Cagliari (9.50)

22.45: (2.60) Monza (3.20) Torino (3.05)

Sunday

14.30: (1.23) Napoli (6.50) Empoli (12.0)

17.00: (2.10) Fiorentina (3.50) Bologna (3.80)

17.00: (3.90) Udinese (3.50) Atalanta (2.05)

20.00: (2.90) Lazio (3.15) Roma (2.75)

22.45: (1.20) Inter (7.25) Frosinone (12.0)

***odds are subject to change