Kalvin Phillips is running out of time to deliver on Man City pledge

The summer of Kalvin Phillips ended up as sodden and dreary as Manchester's.

Though he now has three gleaming medals hanging on his mantlepiece, it was still a disappointing first season at Manchester City for Phillips. The first half of the campaign was waylaid by a shoulder injury and by the time he was fit he was so far off the level that he wasn't trusted by Pep Guardiola.

The midfielder who was signed to share some of the load with Rodri didn't start his first Premier League game until the season was already sewn up. Whenever Phillips did play, he looked considerably out of his depth as he tried to match the remarkable level of those around him.

After such a disastrous first year, the rumours of a swift exit were inevitable. Yet, Phillips was quick to close them down and make it clear he would be going nowhere.

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"My intention is to stay there," he said while away on international duty. "We have just won the treble, so there is no reason for me to leave, other than if I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it.

"I cannot give it 12 months and say, ‘I am not playing so I am going to leave’. I came to Manchester City to win trophies and we won the trophies, but I didn’t play as much as I wanted to do.

"With England I played a little bit, but was ruled out through injuries as well. It is just nice to be back fit. I have nothing to worry about now. Everything is fine with my body. I will continue to work hard next season and hopefully do well when I go back to City."

It's a brave and admirable stance for Phillips to take and he went into this summer's pre-season fit and raring to prove he belonged at the Etihad. But sadly, things have not