Kalvin Phillips ready for biggest week of Man City career after rejecting summer loan suggestion
Kalvin Phillips has been waiting for an opportunity like the one that presented itself on Saturday - and now wants to 'make a name for himself' at Manchester City.
With City 2-0 up against Nottingham Forest, Phillips was preparing to start warming up at the beginning of the second half, when he looked up and saw Rodri raise his hands to Morgan Gibbs-White and earn a straight red card.
Phillips could have left City this summer after a difficult first season at the Etihad, but turned down the chance to leave and should now get a chance to prove that decision was right as Rodri serves a three-game ban. "It's probably the biggest week or so in my Man City career so far," he said.
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Replacing Jeremy Doku shortly after Rodri's red card, Phillips helped City protect their lead and secure a sixth win from six in the Premier League, and he will hope to start in the Carabao Cup at Newcastle on Wednesday - before two Premier League games at Wolves and Arsenal.
"I was surprised by it [the red card] but these things happen in football," he said. "I was just happy to be on the pitch, and help the team get over the line.
"I had just started to warm up. I was getting my bib on and I saw the red card go up and I started to warm up. I have been waiting for that chance for a long time to be honest. It was nice to come on."
Guardiola said recently that Phillips declined the chance to leave on loan in the summer, with the England midfielder said it never crossed his mind to 'give up' at City after just one year.
"When I came in for pre-season I