Kalvin Phillips says he will use team-mate Jack Grealish as inspiration as he looks to turn his fortunes at Manchester City. The midfielder endured a tough first season at the Etihad after joining them last summer from boyhood club Leeds United.
He managed 21 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side, though only four of those were starts. An increase in competition, plus injuries ultimately hampered his first season at the club. But Phillips ended the season in better form at least as City went on an excellent run to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. Grealish was one of the shining stars, just a year after he himself was struggling in his first term at the club following his move from Aston Villa.
On how that can be an inspiration for Phillips, he told talkSport: "I've known Jack for years and have played against him for years. He's very much a family man and he's obviously had his own tough times as well. Our career paths have taken very similar steps but obviously just a year apart.
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"I kind of look at Jack and just think he is my inspiration for this part. He had a tough first year and so did I. In his second year he came out fighting. I know how hard he's worked to do as well as he did last season. So I'm looking forward to getting pre-season started and hopefully I can turn things around.
"Hopefully next season is a good season for me and I can finally start to build on my Man City career and repay them in a way because I've been injured and not played as much."
