The transfer of Kalvin Phillips Everton could be a worthy bet to take amid the takeover saga

A golden opportunity to revive the career of a top talent or a desperate move for a broken colour, claims that Everton are chasing Kalvin Phillips are bound to divide opinion.

Sky Sports’ Vinny O’Connor says Everton are considering taking Phillips on loan from Manchester City. There is no doubting the pedigree of a player once dubbed ‘The Yorkshire Pirlo’, but after a disappointing loan spell at West Ham United in the second half of this season, the 28-year-old’s current stock is low.

Appointed by David Moyes on 26 January, Phillips endured a nightmare home debut at Bournemouth on 1 February as his third-minute blunder to pass the ball to visiting striker Dominic Solanke gave the Cherries a goal in the 1-1 tie.

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The 28-year-old went on to make just eight appearances in total for the Hammers but failed to complete a game and over his aforementioned first outing only played more than 45 minutes once in a defeat to 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.

Overcoming a tough upbringing as one of four children brought up in poverty while his mother worked two jobs while his father was in prison, Phillips became a huge fan favorite at his hometown club Leeds United. playing 234 games for the Elland Road team and scoring 14 points. goals in eight seasons, the last two of which were in the Premier League.

His form earned him a £42million move across the Pennines to Manchester City in July 2022, but like Jack Rodwell, who left Everton in similar circumstances a decade earlier, Phillips learned that grass did not it was definitely greener at the Etihad Stadium.

Struggling to establish himself in the team – he has yet to start just two Premier League games for City – Phillips also suffered the ignominy of manager Pep Guardiola claiming he was overweight, a remark for which the Catalan later apologised.

With the takeover saga remaining unresolved at Everton and funds remaining tight at Goodison Park, perhaps director of football Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche see Phillips as a risk worth taking to bolster their midfield, but given his recent struggles, he would certainly be a gamble.