Everton considered a late loan move for Kalvin Phillips.
According to iNews, Everton weighed up making an “ambitious” deadline day bid to sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan.
However, such a move never came to fruition. Phillips remains stuck in a bit-part role at the Etihad Stadium. A move away from Manchester City this summer would have been a major positive for the 27-year-old’s career.
Phillips would also have been a brilliant addition to Everton’s squad. The 27-cap England international would have brought extra quality, tenacity, and defensive solidity to the Toffees’ midfield contingent.
Phillips could have solved Everton’s midfield problem
Sean Dyche’s focus this summer was very much on sharpening up Everton in attack. Beto has been brought in to lead the line, whilst Arnaut Danjuma, Jack Harrison, and Youssef Chermiti will all be expected to add goals.
However, there is certainly a strong argument that more should have been done to improve the club’s midfield options. Everton have struggled to establish control over games so far this season, and too often have failed to snuff out opposition counter attacks. This comes down to a lack of quality and tactical discipline in the midfield zone. They also lack strength in depth in this area.
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Amadou Onana is inconsistent, and Idrissa Gueye has struggled to impress at all so far this season. Phillips would surely have immediately become a lynchpin in the middle of the park for the Merseyside club had he been brought in. The regular game time will also have helped him preserve his place in the England squad in the long-term.
A loan move could potentially have been affordable for Everton, and Manchester City won’t have been concerned about strengthening a direct Premier League title rival by allowing Phillips to make the switch to Goodison Park.
Everton may well come to regret not having pushed harder to bring Phillips to the club.