While Manchester City are currently continuing preparations for the 24/25 season in the United States several areas need addressing in the City squad. What players could potentially arrive at the champions this summer dominates the thoughts of most City fans. Despite this, there are two players that appear that they must be sold this summer. Those two are Joao Cancelo and Kalvin Phillips. If Manchester City can secure permanent deals for both it would be a win for both the club and the two players mentioned.
The cases of Joao Cancelo and Kalvin Phillips are both vastly different. In the case of Cancelo, he has been a proven performer for the world champions. But he has spent last season and the second half of the 22/23 season on loan at Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively. Talent isn’t the question with Cancelo, but his attitude reportedly is. A report from the Guardian indicates that the Portuguese international had become a ‘disruptive influence’ in the dressing room before his loan move to Bayern Munich. Based on this report if Manchester City can sell the defender, it would be best for City and Cancelo. It would provide clean air for Cancelo to continue his career and allow City to move on from the Portuguese international.
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Kalvin Phillips is a different story entirely to that of Joao Cancelo. There is no suggestion that the England international is a dressing room distraction. It is more a matter of Phillips not being a player capable of performing at the level Manchester City and Pep Guardiola require. That has been apparent during City’s pre-season friendlies against Celtic and AC Milan. Phillips also had a poor loan spell at West Ham during the second half of the 23/24 season. That form may put off clubs from signing Phillips on a permanent deal this summer. But a permanent move this summer for Phillips would give him and City the chance to move on. That would be the ideal move for both parties.
But can the champions sell both Kalvin Phillips and Joao Cancelo this summer? That appears to be the question going forward. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported in his Daily Briefing column that while Everton is interested in Phillips, there is no move imminent for the midfielder. Romano does also add there are other clubs interested in the midfielder but doesn’t name them.
In the case of Joao Cancelo Spanish publication SPORT has reported that Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Ettifaq are willing to meet City’s €30 million asking price for the defender. But SPORT further reports that Cancelo only wants to return to Barcelona this summer. That complicates matters for Manchester City.
In an ideal world, Manchester City would sell Joao Cancelo and Kalvin Phillips. That would remove the annual question surrounding their futures. It would also take the sizable wages off Manchester City’s books. But it remains to be seen if that is a realistic possibility this summer but for vastly different reasons. But on face value City must sell Joao Cancelo and Kalvin Phillips if the opportunity does arise.
