It looked for all the world that - after winning another Premier League title - Manchester City would be content with a fairly quiet summer. One big splurge on the player they've coveted for several years would be enough, we thought.
11.06.2022 - 08:49 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester City are interested in signing Leeds star Kalvin Phillips this summer, with Pep Guardiola keen to replace Fernandinho.
Phillips has been linked with a move away from Leeds United, after Jesse Marsch's side narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the 2021-22 campaign. Fernandinho is set to leave City this summer after nine years with the club, leaving Guardiola needing a replacement to rotate with Rodri in midfield.
The Manchester Evening News understands that City are interested in signing the England international in this summer's transfer window. The club have prioritised Phillips' signature over other players such as Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong and Sporting's Matheus Nunes.
READ MORE: Where Man City stand on Kalvin Phillips, left-back and exits as transfer window opens
So, if Phillips was to make the move to City in the summer, what sort of impact could he have on Guardiola's side? Could the England international help City win the Champions League?
We simulated the 2022-23 season with Phillips in the City squad and this is what happened.
To set up this simulation, we used the Football Manager 2022 editor to arrange for Phillips to join City at the start of the summer transfer window, using FM22 to run the simulation. This is what Phillips' in-game profile looks like on FM22.
Phillips is a tireless midfielder with exceptional attributes across the board including his Passing (16), Aggression (16), Work Rate (18), Natural Fitness (18) and Stamina (18). The 26-year-old has amazing physical attributes for a box-to-box midfielder whilst also having solid technical attributes such as his Technique (13), Tackling (13), Marking (13), First Touch (13) and Heading (12) which could be
It looked for all the world that - after winning another Premier League title - Manchester City would be content with a fairly quiet summer. One big splurge on the player they've coveted for several years would be enough, we thought.
Gabriel Jesus was greeted at a London hospital by Arsenal sporting director Edu this morning ahead of the player's move from Manchester City.
On the face of it, it seems like Kalvin Phillips could be Fernandinho's natural replacement at Manchester City. but he could also replicate his England role and effective partnership with Declan Rice at the Etihad Stadium.
Southampton have reportedly shortlisted Manchester City striker Liam Delap this summer.
Here are your Manchester City evening headlines on Sunday, June 26.
Soon-to-be Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips made no secret of his desire to play in the Champions League last year.
Gavin Bazunu has joined Southampton on a permanent deal, handing Manchester City a welcome boost in the transfer market.
With the 2022 World Cup in Qatar just months away, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City will have to start their preparations now -even if it means abandoning one of the manager's key principles.
Manchester City have a clearer idea of their 2022/23 schedule following the release of the Premier League fixture list.
Brazil legend Ronaldinho snubbed both Manchester United and Manchester City when asked to name his favourite Premier League team.
Manchester City will turn their attention to exits as well as arrivals when the transfer market truly clicks into gear after the international window.
Kalvin Phillips has been told he does not need to leave Leeds this summer despite interest from Manchester United.
Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel could not resist biting back at Jamie Carragher after the latter aimed a dig at Manchester United following Saturday's Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Kevin de Bruyne is the only Manchester City player in the Champions League 2021/22 Team of the Season as Liverpool and Real Madrid dominate the line-up with four and five representatives respectively.