West Ham has retained their interest in out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, despite an unsuccessful approach during the winter transfer window.
What’s the latest on Kalvin Phillips to West Ham?
According to 90min, alongside West Ham, Wolves, Newcastle, and Leicester are also tracking the uncertain future of the 27-year-old.
The former-Leeds man has only two games in all competitions all season and has only totalled 13 appearances in a disappointing and injury-ravaged campaign.
In the same report, it has been detailed that Phillips has become worried that his poor form since his new move could cost him a place in the Euro 2024 squad. It has also been suggested that Pep Guardiola and the City will not stand in the player’s way should he decide to depart Manchester.
It is understood that the reigning Premier League champions may even sanction an initial loan to invite more sides to this underperforming man.
After the £45m summer signing returned from the World Cup, Guardiola said he was “overweight” and “not in the right condition to train” – which was another brutal indication that Phillips’ City career could come to an abrupt end.
Despite his decline, the £150k-per-week star is still highly rated across the Premier League and a move to West Ham could be the perfect remedy.
Who could Phillips replace at West Ham?
The Hammers are enduring one of their most troublesome campaigns since their return to top-flight football in 2012. They currently sit in the relegation zone and many of their previously reliable performers have been a shadow of their former selves.
One star guilty of this is Tomas Soucek, who has failed to recapture the impressive form that he showcased since making a permanent move to east London in 2020.
Although Phillips has had a tricky campaign, he represents a completely different type of midfielder to the Czech international and his style of play could allow the Hammers more control and ascendency in match situations.
This is illustrated by the fact that the Englishman averages a pass completion of 82.3% and 5.67 progressive passes per 90, while Soucek averages lower at 72.6% and 3.12 for the same metrics, across statistics, gathered over the last 365 days, clearly making him a considerable upgrade.
The 6 foot 4 titan has developed a reputation for his physicality and contribution to the defensive effort but Phillips also outperforms his rival in these departments. The City man ranks in the top 3% for tackles and 1% for blocks, while Soucek only appears in the 32% and 25% respectively for the same categories.
West Ham could be the ideal destination for the £31m-rated “monster” – as once lauded by ex-Crystal Palace star Yannick Bolasie – to reignite his career and the incredible form that he displayed in Yorkshire.