Forgotten Leeds United favourite to join Patrick Bamford as pre-season decision confirmed
The former Leeds United favourite has endured a torrid few years.
Former Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips looks set for a second loan spell at Sheffield United, according to reports.
Phillips joined the Blades for the second-half of last season but managed just three appearances, the last of which saw him sent off against Steel City rivals Sheffield Wednesday. A knee injury suffered during that game required surgery and effectively ended his loan spell.
The 30-year-old returned to parent club Manchester City this summer but any hope of a career revival under new head coach Enzo Maresca was quickly squashed. The Italian boss named his 28-man squad for a pre-season tour of Asia on Tuesday evening and Phillips was among a handful of notable absences.
Now The Daily Mail report that Phillips is ‘finalising’ a second loan move to Sheffield United, this time for the entire 2026/27 campaign. Blades boss Chris Wilder is said to be keen on a reunion with the midfielder despite a difficult six-month spell last season and obvious injury concerns.
Phillips still has two years left on the mega-money six-year deal he signed when joining City from Leeds in 2022, but the midfielder has no future at the Etihad. Prior to joining Sheffield United on loan in January, last season consisted of one eight-minute appearance in a 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield Town.
In four years since joining City, Phillips has started just two Premier League games. Top-flight loans at Ipswich Town and West Ham both underwhelmed through a combination of injury and lack of match sharpness.
Earlier this summer, The Star reported that Phillips would be keen on a return to Bramall Lane. The Leeds-born midfielder was able to live much closer to his family following the January move, a factor believed to be influencing his stance.
Phillips was also believed to have had a positive impact on younger squad members, particularly those in midfield such as Oliver Arblaster and Sydie Peck, who are 22 and 21 years old respectively. A return will see the Leeds promotion hero reunite with former Elland Road teammate Patrick Bamford.
Bamford joined the Blades as a free agent last year, following his Leeds exit. The striker initially signed a short-term contract before penning fresh terms on an 18-month deal in January.