'It's probably the biggest week or so in my Man City career,' Kalvin Phillips told reporters in the aftermath of Rodri's red card against Nottingham Forest.
Instead it may well have been the final nail in the coffin. The door finally looked to have opened for Phillips last month, having seen Rodri shown a straight red card for grabbing Morgan Gibbs-White round the throat.
A three-game ban followed for the ever-present Spaniard and Pep Guardiola was left with a very large hole to fill. Phillips, the natural replacement in defensive midfield, looked set to get his shot for games against Newcastle United, Wolves and then Arsenal.
Ultimately he started the first, in the Carabao Cup, and was part of a losing team before racking up a grand total of 26 minutes in the other two. ALSO READ: Rico Lewis has a chance to become England wildcard ALSO READ: Guardiola set to face familiar problem with City players after international break Since signing from Leeds United last year, Phillips' journey with City has been a tough one.