England midfielder Kelvin Philips joined Manchester City for £ 42 million this month. The England international was a transfer target for both Manchester City and Manchester United following his impressive performance for Leeds United and the England National team.
According to Kelvin Philips, joining Manchester United was never an option because of the rivalry between Manchester United and Leeds United. He also expressed his excitement about joining Manchester City.
What did Kelvin Philips say on his transfer to Manchester City?
The former Leeds United midfielder said when he was asked whether he was ever going to join Manchester United, He replied: “No, there was never any chance of me going there. You know my loyalty to Leeds, my family as well, they’re all Leeds fans.
“I was honored by United wanting me, such a big team – one of the biggest teams in the world. But no, I had to stay loyal to Leeds and choose to go to the other side of Manchester.”
He further revealed that his reason for snubbing Manchester United was because to his loyalty to Leeds United.
Kelvin Philips added: “I don’t know, it’s just the way I am, the way I think, and the way I’ll always be.
“I want to be loyal to the people who’ve given me the biggest opportunity in the world. Leeds were the first team to sign me, I made sure that was one of the main things I’d do.”
The England international revealed also shared his excitement to work with Pep Guardiola.
The Manchester City new number 4 continued: “It was the opportunity to be coached by Pep even if it’s just for a year or hopefully longer.
“I know he’s a great manager and he’ll elevate my game to a level I want to be at, and be involved in teams fighting for trophies.
“Also just be around players that make you a better player every single day. The opportunity I was given was one I couldn’t turn down.”
Meanwhile, Kelvin Philips’s former teammate Patrick Bamford claims He deserves to be at Manchester City.
In an interview with the PA News Agency, the England striker said: “None of us can begrudge him for going and I think we were all kind of – as sad as it is – almost pushing him because he deserves it and it’s his time.
“If you look at Kalvin and the way he came on in the last four years – it said it all when he went straight from getting promoted to then being in the England team and he kind of became a mainstay there.
“So he deserves his chance, he deserves to go and win trophies and fight for trophies on all fronts.”
Kelvin Philips played his first game for Manchester City as a substitute in Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Club America on Thursday.
