Guardiola explains Phillips' departure was necessary for him to receive playing time he wouldn't have gotten at Man City

The Citizens approved Kalvin Phillips' loan move to Ipswich Town this week, as he was eager to secure consistent playing opportunities.

Former Leeds United midfielder Phillips was on loan at West Ham during the second half of last season. 

“He (Phillips) has to have minutes and have to recover game time (and) play, play, play, play,” Guardiola explained to reporters. 

“We thought maybe he will not have the minutes he has to be and he deserves to be and that’s why it is better to have minutes and the chance maybe in the future come back here. 

“This is what it is. Absolutely he can have a future at City.”