Kalvin Phillips is frustrated with his lack of playing time at Man City

The 27-year-old started for England in their 3-1 win over Italy in the Euro 2024 qualifiers on Tuesday. He was almost sent off with a second yellow card after earning his first only nine minutes into the game.

Phillips believes his underwhelming performance, which also featured a few poor passes, may be down to his lack of minutes for City this season.

He has made only five appearances for Pep Guardiola's side this campaign.

"It is probably the lack of minutes at club level and leaving a sloppy leg out," Phillips told Channel 4 in a post-match interview when asked about him almost being sent off.

"I was quite fortunate in the end not to get sent-off - luckily, the referee didn't pull it back. But, it's football, and it's the type of player I am, and I just have to be careful with some of the challenges I make.

"As a football player, you want to be playing, and that is the same with me - I want to be playing as much as possible. I haven't done that over the last year-and-a-half, and it's something I want to do.

"To come into an England game and start, I did it against Scotland and was perfectly fine, but I always try and make sure I am ready for what comes."

He added: "I want to play football and want to play as much as possible. 

"Over the last year-and-a-half I haven't been able to do that due to injuries and [other factors]. It's something I am going to have to think about.

"Hopefully my chance does come but if it doesn't then I will have to make other decisions as well."

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