Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has clarified his stance on Kalvin Phillips’ future and playing time ahead of Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash with Swansea City. The England international has struggled for minutes since joining the Premier League champions from Leeds United in 2022, and his omission from the starting lineup continues to highlight his uncertain standing at the Etihad.
Phillips made a short substitute appearance in the previous round against Huddersfield Town — his first outing of the season — but Guardiola has now confirmed he won’t be starting in Wales either. With City facing an injury-hit midfield, some had hoped Phillips might get a rare chance to impress. That won’t be the case.
Guardiola confirms Phillips won’t start vs Swansea
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola made it clear that while Phillips remains part of the squad, selection decisions are based purely on tactical needs and fitness.
“For a start no but maybe he will travel with us. He is a player for the team, the squad. He is coming back, he trains with us, we treat him like another player. The decision of whether he plays or not belongs to me.” — Pep Guardiola, pre-Swansea press conference
Guardiola went on to praise the 29-year-old’s attitude and professionalism, describing him as “an unbelievable guy” and “a joy to have in the locker room.” Despite those kind words, it’s clear Phillips remains far down the pecking order behind Rodri, Mateo Kovačić, and Nico González.
Phillips’ continued struggle for game time
The midfielder’s time at City has been defined by stop-start progress. After joining in a £45 million deal from Leeds United, Phillips struggled to adapt to Guardiola’s demanding positional system and has since spent periods out on loan. A planned summer move fell through due to Achilles surgery, leaving him to fight for a place upon his return to fitness.
Even with injuries in midfield, Phillips has not featured regularly this season. His seven-minute cameo against Huddersfield marked his only competitive action since returning from surgery — a sign that Guardiola’s trust in him remains limited.
| Stat (2025/26) | Kalvin Phillips |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 1 (Carabao Cup) |
| Minutes Played | 7 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Contract Until | 2028 |
source: sofascore & club data – 28 October 2025
Guardiola’s decision not to start him even in the domestic cup suggests Phillips’ City career could soon reach another crossroads.
Our View
In our view, Guardiola’s comments carry a respectful but unmistakable message: Phillips remains a valued squad member but not a central part of Manchester City’s plans. The Catalan’s emphasis on training attitude and team harmony suggests he sees Phillips more as a steady presence off the pitch than a tactical solution on it.
With City competing across four fronts, the Carabao Cup represented Phillips’ best chance for minutes. If he can’t break into the lineup now, a January departure — whether on loan or permanently — feels inevitable.
Key Insights
- Pep Guardiola confirms Kalvin Phillips won’t start against Swansea in the Carabao Cup.
- The 29-year-old has made just one seven-minute appearance this season.
- Guardiola praises Phillips’ attitude but signals he’s not part of the core rotation.
- Phillips’ contract runs until 2028 after his £45m move from Leeds.
- A January move remains possible if interest resurfaces.
What’s Next
Manchester City travel to Swansea City on 29 October 2025 for their Carabao Cup fourth-round tie. With rotation expected, Guardiola is likely to rely on youth players ahead of Phillips in midfield.
For the England international, the message is clear — respect and professionalism are appreciated, but playing time will be hard to find. A January exit may be the only realistic route to regular football.
👉 Should Manchester City let Kalvin Phillips leave in January for the sake of his career?
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