Kalvin Phillips transfer rumours branded ‘proper nonsense’ as England international left searching for a spark after £45m Man City switch & two loan moves

The England international has endured a difficult couple of years since swapping Leeds United for Manchester City in 2022, so as a result the midfielder headed to Ipswich on a season-long loan in August. The 28-year-old has had a mixed stint so far at Portman Road and that has seemingly led to a report the Tractor Boys may end his spell with them in January. However, manager McKenna dismissed such speculation following his team's 4-3 loss to Brentford on Saturday.

After the game, he said on the Phillips exit rumours: "What can I say about that? Proper proper nonsense. You can write something and it gets picked up and becomes a story, absolute nonsense. There have been no conversations of the like and it's a real shame. He had a very good game today."

Phillips went from being named England's player of the year in 2021 to being dropped by the Three Lions, barely getting a game at City following his £45 million ($58m) move to the Etihad, and having a disastrous loan at West Ham at the end of last season. The former Leeds star needs a run of games under his belt to get his confidence back but the best days of his career may, sadly, be behind him.

Phillips' Ipswich team take on fellow newly-promoted Leicester City at home next Saturday in a huge clash between two sides near the bottom of the Premier League. He has made six appearances for the Suffolk outfit so far.