Newcastle United transfers: One Leeds United player believes his former teammate may be interested in a January move.
Patrick Bamford believes Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips would be willing to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer in search of more first-team opportunities. Phillips has been heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park in recent months, and Bamford believes his former teammate will be eager to get back into first-team action.
“It’s tough for him, because he’s going from probably being one of the best players at Leeds to Man City where the best players in his position [with Rodri] is just like a metronome,” Bamford said on the My Mate’s a Footballer Podcast. There isn’t much you can say to him.
“When he joins the team, they’ll always draw comparisons between them. He’ll obviously consider what he can do to get back into the game, whatever that means for him.
“This is one of those where the public says he should just be happy because he’s getting paid a fortune, but there’s no way you can be happy sitting on the bench, no matter how much you’re getting paid.”
“I think it is one where he is chasing to get back in the England team and any footballer is going to choose playing over getting that extra bit of money.”
Phillips, who moved to the Etihad Stadium for £42 million last summer, has retained his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad despite being used sparingly by Pep Guardiola this season. The 28-year-old will be eager to play regular football in the run-up to the European Championships next summer.
