Midfield enforcer Kalvin Phillips has suggested that it is not unusual for a player to find it difficult to get into a rhythm in their first season at Manchester City.
The England international, who joined City from Leeds United last summer, experienced a challenging maiden campaign at the Etihad Stadium. He made just 21 appearances in all competitions, 17 of which were from the substitutes bench.
He struggled to dislodge Rodri from the defensive-midfield berth, meaning questions have already been raised about his future at the club during this month's transfer window. He played just 12 times in the Premier League last term, starting only twice.
Despite the frustration, Phillips is determined to put last season's struggles behind him and make up for lost time. And the midfielder added that he is refusing to get too downbeat, pointing to how other City players, including Jack Grealish, have struggled to make a name for themselves in their first season at the Etihad Stadium.
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Phillips told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I spoke to quite a few of the lads about their first season at City and how difficult they found it.
"They said exactly the same thing, saying it takes at least 12 months for somebody to really understand what the manager wants you to do, the way he wants you to play and how he wants you to work.
"I knew that anyway. I spoke to Jack [Grealish] as I have been friends with him for a long, long time. I spoke to him last year when he was struggling to make it into the team and he was saying that he understood the first season at City is always difficult.
"Hopefully, next season will be a lot better for me. I am just looking forward to getting my head down, seeing the lads again and just getting the season underway."
