Man City loanee Kalvin Phillips played his first full match for Ipswich Town last weekend. Manager Kieran McKenna has shared how the midfielder is adjusting to the team.
When Kalvin Phillips joined Ipswich Town, fans were excited but also a bit apprehensive—and understandably so.
The Manchester City loanee has had an impressive career, rising through Leeds United’s ranks, helping them secure promotion, and keeping them in the Premier League before moving to Manchester City. Despite being named England Men’s Player of the Year in 2021/22 and winning several titles with City, his career hit a stumbling block due to fitness issues and limited game time. A difficult loan spell at West Ham didn’t help either.
His move to Portman Road felt like a fresh opportunity to revive his career. Completing the full 90 minutes against Brighton & Hove Albion marked a significant step forward, as it was his first complete match since May 2023.
“It’s a big positive, and I think he looks stronger for it,” manager Kieran McKenna said after the match. “He played maybe 70 minutes against Fulham and has trained well over the international break. He actually got stronger as the second half went on. You can see he’s a competitor. When the game was tough, he stepped up. It’s positive for him.”
Signing Phillips was both a risk and a major coup for Ipswich. Most of the squad is made up of players from League One or the Championship, but Phillips, one of only two players with Champions League experience, stands out as the only one to have lifted the trophy.
Despite the pressure, McKenna highlighted the benefits of Phillips’ profile. After a shaky debut in the Carabao Cup against AFC Wimbledon, Phillips showed improvement against Fulham and excelled even more in the Brighton game. McKenna is confident fans will see even better performances in the coming weeks, citing Phillips’ work ethic as a key factor.
“He’s working really well,” McKenna added. “You can see that in his performances and in the humility he shows. He’s very much part of the group—a humble, hard-working character. He’s climbed a mountain in his career and knows what it takes to fight.”
McKenna praised Phillips’ hunger and team-first attitude, qualities that fit Ipswich’s ethos. “He’s getting fitter week by week, and I’m sure there’s more improvement to come. He showed a battling performance, and we’re excited to work with him further.”