Manchester City have confirmed a squad number reshuffle that sees Kalvin Phillips handed a new shirt following the arrival of Tijjani Reijnders in Pep Guardiola’s midfield.
Reijnders Takes No.4, Phillips Moved to No.44
Netherlands international Reijnders, who joined City in a high-profile transfer earlier this summer, was allocated the No.4 shirt upon his unveiling at the Etihad Stadium. The number had previously been worn by Phillips, who has now been reassigned the No.44 shirt for the remainder of the year.
The change comes after City opted against sanctioning Phillips’ departure during the transfer window, despite strong interest from Premier League rivals and overseas clubs. Instead, the England international will remain part of Guardiola’s squad until at least January.
Uncertain Future for Phillips
Phillips’ move from Leeds United in 2022 was expected to strengthen City’s midfield depth, but his time in Manchester has been dominated by injuries and intense competition for places. Rodri, Mateo Kovačić, and now Reijnders remain firmly ahead in the pecking order, leaving the England midfielder on the fringes.
Guardiola has praised Phillips’ professionalism and attitude in training, but opportunities in competitive fixtures have remained limited. With the No.44 shirt now his, Phillips faces the challenge of proving his worth in cup ties and during rotation periods across the packed schedule.
January Decision Looms
As the January transfer window approaches, speculation over Phillips’ future is expected to intensify. Clubs in England and abroad are monitoring his situation closely, with potential moves depending on whether he can secure meaningful game time in the months ahead.
For now, Manchester City fans will see Phillips sporting a fresh look in No.44, though questions remain over how often he will feature on the pitch.
FAQ
- What is Kalvin Phillips’ new shirt number? Kalvin Phillips will wear the No.44 shirt for Manchester City.
- Why did he lose the No.4 shirt? New signing Tijjani Reijnders was allocated the No.4 shirt upon joining the club.
- Will Phillips stay at City? The club kept him beyond the summer window, but his long-term future remains uncertain ahead of January.
- How has Phillips’ time at City gone so far? He has struggled for consistent minutes due to injuries, tactical fit, and competition in midfield.
Conclusion
Kalvin Phillips’ switch to No.44 marks another chapter in what has been a difficult spell at Manchester City. With his future likely to come under renewed scrutiny in January, the coming weeks could prove decisive in shaping his career at the Etihad Stadium and beyond.
