England boss Gareth Southgate defends starting Kalvin Phillips against Scotland but admits ‘it’s not ideal’ that the midfielder has playing just six minutes for Man City this season

• Phillips has started as many games for England as he has for City since 2022
• Southgate insists midfielder remains a ‘really important player’ for England 
• Scotland 0-0 England LIVE: Scots look for first win over rivals this MILLENNIUM

England boss Gareth Southgate defended his decision to select Kalvin Phillips against Scotland despite the midfielder playing just six minutes for Manchester City this season.

Phillips has started as many games for England as he has for City since his £42million move from Leeds in 2022.

Southgate insisted Phillips remains a ‘really important player’ for Three Lions due to a lack of options.

And he pointed at Scotland having the same issue with Scott McTominay’s lack of game time at Man United.

Southgate said: ‘He needs to play and is a really important player for us, we don’t have many players who can operate the way he can, we have faith and trust in him, of course people talk about his lack of minutes but Scotland have it with Scott McTominay and we don’t have an ideal situation.’ 

Kalvin Phillips has started as many games for England as he has for Man City in last 12 months

England boss Gareth Southgate defended his decision to select Phillips against Scotland

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Phillips is likely to push for a loan move away from Manchester City in January, if he is still playing a bit-part role for Pep Guardiola’s side.

He will be keen to keep his place with Southgate’s side ahead of the Euro 2024 championships in Germany. 

Phillips has previously expressed a desire to stay in Manchester but did admit he would need to consider a move if he was not playing. 

He stated in June: ‘My intention is to stay. We have just won the treble, so there is no reason for me to leave, other than if I am not playing I will obviously have to think about it. I cannot give it 12 months and say: ‘I am not playing so I am going to leave.’ As you have seen with many players at City, it can take quite a while to cement yourself into the team.’

City boss Pep Guardiola has claimed Phillips has to ‘convince’ himself and his team-mates he has a future at the club.

‘Players have to earn my confidence – all of them, not just Kalvin,’ Guardiola said.

Phillips had been linked with a move away during the summer.

‘It depends on the players,’ Guardiola said. ‘At the end we’re here, I try to be honest with the questions and my feelings.

‘My feelings sometimes change. But at the end it belongs to the players, they have to convince themselves and the team and not because I say something.’

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