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SUFC News: United confident of right Phillips balance after Man City safeguard agreed

· Danny Hall · 2026-08-15T05:08:24+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Sheffield United confident of striking right Kalvin Phillips balance after Man City safeguard, 'best in division' claim Sheffield United confident of striking right Kalvin Phillips balance as Blades take sensible Man City agreement step Chris Wilder is convinced that Sheffield United have struck the right balance of risk and reward in bringing Kalvin Phillips back to Bramall Lane, believing he could be the best midfielder in the Championship when fully fit. The Manchester City man re-signed for United last week. The former England international’s previous loan spell in South Yorkshire was disappointing, being cut short by injury after just three appearances. His fitness record in recent seasons has prompted inevitable questions but United have covered themselves contractually. Boss Wilder revealed that provisions have been put into the deal agreed with the Premier League titans regarding Phillips’ fitness and, if he and his coaching staff can get the best out of the former Leeds United man, it could be one of the signings of the summer. "I've enjoyed working with him," Wilder said. "I'm delighted to bring Kalvin in. The deal suits us financially and the player suits us culturally as well. We understand his previous injury record, but this provision is put in there contractually. “We're all comfortable with the situation. It doesn't hurt or harm the football club and hopefully he deserves a little bit of luck along the way." Every signing carries an element of risk but Phillips, who has two years left on his deal at City, is looking to make up for lost time after Unitedites failed to see the best of him in a Blades shirt. “When we sign players, they don't come through the door without a medical," Wilder added. “There is a risk on everybody. But they don't come here to sit in the treatment room. They come here because they want to play football. "I've known Kalvin long enough now to know that he wants to contribute to a good group of players that we've assembled and we're trying to improve." Phillips joins an increasingly competitive midfield featuring Sydie Peck, Joe Rothwell, Oliver Arblaster and Jairo Riedewald, but Wilder believes depth will be crucial across a long Championship campaign. "We always work off the back of maybe 15 or 20 per cent of the squad not being available," he said. "I'm not so sure all five midfield players will be fully fit all season. So that drops one out and we run with two playing and two off the bench. "So that makes sense in terms of why we've brought another midfield player in. And he’s a midfield player who, if we get him up to speed, will be arguably the best midfield player in the division. "That's our challenge."