---
title: "Exclusive: Ex-Manchester City star identifies Phillips as Fernandinho successor"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-ex-manchester-city-identifies-phillips-as-potential-fernandinho-successor-transfers-leeds-england-e130/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Caleb Sage"
section: "Exclusive"
published: "2021-05-28T05:05:18Z"
modified: "2021-05-28T05:05:18Z"
---

# Exclusive: Ex-Manchester City star identifies Phillips as Fernandinho successor

**Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips could be earmarked as a potential successor to Fernandinho, former Manchester City defender Steve Howey has told [The Transfer Tavern](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/).**

Fernandinho is now 36 years of age and his [contract at the Etihad expires](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fernandinho/profil/spieler/26267) next month.

It means the Premier League champions could soon find themselves searching for a long-term replacement, with Howey liking the look of Phillips.

\[freshpress-poll id=”356959″\]

The 25-year-old has been a key player for Marcelo Bielsa this season, making [just under 30](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/leistungsdaten/spieler/351749) appearances in his debut English top-flight campaign.

Presently, there is nothing to suggest that Manchester City are interested in the player. Howey, however, would not be surprised to see that change.

When Asked by **TT** whether Phillips could be a target for his old side if Fernandinho leaves, the retired Premier League footballer said: *“He could well be.*

*“I actually had a conversation with Gareth Southgate about him and I said I was blown away \[over\] how good he* *was. We were at Everton and I watched Everton against Leeds and he was excellent. He ran the show.”*

As well as being able to run the show, Phillips would also be capable of adding some real steel to this Manchester City side.

According to [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/19/Show/England-Leeds), the England international made 2.6 tackles per game in the Premier League campaign that has just gone, the third-highest average in Leeds’ squad.