How Italian betting scandal could resurrect out-of-favour Man City star's career

Updated: 18 Oct 2023 22:38 BST
3 min read

The Italian betting scandal could help Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips to resurrect his career.

Phillips signed for Pep Guardiola's side over a year ago and has not been able to find a regular place in the team.

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He has started just two Premier League games in that time, having been a crucial part of Leeds' team prior to the move.

It has become obvious that he needs to leave the club and he may be presented with two enticing opportunities due to an unlikely situation.

Italian midfielders Nicola Fagioli and Sandro Tonali are set to face lengthy spells on the sidelines due to betting offences.

This could prompt Juventus and Newcastle, respectively, into looking at Phillips as potential replacements.

Plus, Tottenham Hotspur’s new technical director Johan Lange is a big fan of Phillips, according to The Telegraph.

He could become a target for the north London club if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leaves in January.

Phillips on Man City future

Phillips was previously thought to be Rodri's understudy. So, if the Spaniard were to miss games, he would be called into the starting lineup.

Well, Rodri has missed City's last two games with suspension and Phillips has still been absent from the side.

#EURO2024 qualification: secured 🙌

The #ThreeLions are heading to Germany next summer! pic.twitter.com/cduT7U0K8Z
— England (@England) October 17, 2023

This, understandably, may have forced him to reconsider his future ahead of the January transfer window.

"I know that I need to be playing games and competing every weekend," Phillips said after England's 3-1 European Championship qualifier victory over Italy.

"I’m going to have to make a decision on my City future over the next months. Hopefully my chance comes, but if it doesn’t then I will have to make other decisions.

"As a football player, you always want to be playing. I want to be playing as much as possible, but I haven’t done that for a year and a half.

"I always try to make sure I am ready for whatever comes. I want minutes, I want to go to the Euros. We will see what happens."