Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips believes this season has seen his confidence reach its lowest ebb after failing to break into the first team.
The 1-0 victory over Chelsea was the first time Phillips has started for the Blues this season after joining from Leeds United in the summer. His campaign has been swamped by bad fortune after he suffered a shoulder injury in a friendly with Barcelona.
Following the World Cup, Pep Guardiola claimed Phillips was 'overweight' on his return and this led to him dropping out of the squad altogether. However, the 27-year-old has returned himself to better shape and was given a chance to impress at the last home match of the season.
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Speaking to Sky Sports after the full-time whistle, Phillips opened up on the challenges he has faced. "It was a great feeling when I came in this morning and the manager told me I was playing, I was just happy to be honest," he explained.
"I was happy because we won the league the night before and I knew that there might be a chance I could play, so I just went and relaxed and enjoyed every moment. It’s been unbelievably tough.
"It’s probably been one of the lowest moments in myself confidence-wise in my career, but with the guys around me like Kyle [Walker], they’ve kept me going, told me I’ll get my chance and it’ll come. Luckily today it did and I’ve got the guys around me to keep pushing me and working me as hard as possible."
Phillips was speaking ahead of City's Premier League trophy lift. The Blues secured their third title in a row after Arsenal lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
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