But as happens sometimes, when you join a big club like Manchester City, Phillips has not been able to become a starter.
He has also picked up injuries along the way, which has not helped.
Phillips signed for Manchester City in July 2022 on a six-year contract for a reported initial fee of £42 million, rising to £45 million with add-ons.
His wages are said to be around £150K/week, and he may even agree to a slight reduction in those wages to join Newcastle on loan, but probably not.
Since he joined City in July 2022, he has appeared only 31 times with one goal, and this season he has played only 89 minutes in the Premier League.
That could double if and when he makes a starting debut for Newcastle.
If Newcastle are to sign Kalvin Phillips on loan, probably with an option to buy in the summer, they should be doing the deal now so he can start on January 1st.
The proposed fee for a straight permanent transfer is said to be £40 million, but we don’t think Newcastle want to spend that in this financial year because of FFP limitations.
There’s been news that Juventus are also keen on taking the 31-times-capped England international, and perhaps he can become the holding midfielder Eddie Howe has been looking for.
Phillips’ paying style is said to be the following, according to his former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa and taken from Wikipedia:
“He’s very good at getting the ball and putting it into another space—a better space. He’s very good when he has to cover the team when our full-backs go in attack.”
“And when we are outnumbered, he is very good with his defense.”
That last sentence is what we needed against Nottingham Forest when their quick attacks found us short at the back and with little speed from our players.
For his similar style of play, Phillips was given the nickname “Yorkshire Pirlo” by Leeds fans in homage to Italian Andrea Pirlo.
With Newcastle losing six of our last seven games, a solid signing like Phillips would help improve the morale at Newcastle, and Phillips will be keen to do very well at Newcastle, so he can stay long-term (if he’s signed on loan).
He could possibly be the replacement for Sandro Tonali, and once the Italian is back next season and Joe Willock is fit again, we should have plenty of competition for central midfield at Newcastle.
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