Defender Phillips would ‘certainly consider’ returning to City next season
LIVERPOOL defender Nat Phillips said he would “certainly consider” returning to Cardiff City next season, with his future on Merseyside as yet undecided.
The centre-back, 27, has been fantastic since signing for the Bluebirds in the winter window and has bolstered City’s defence in the absence of the injured Mark McGuinness.
Cardiff are light on centre-back options as things stand and will almost certainly be in the market to add in that position in the summer.
Erol Bulut has been on record as saying he would love to have Phillips back next season – if he was reappointed as manager – however there is a lot of change going on at Anfield in the summer.
Jurgen Klopp will vacate his post as manager, with a new boss to be appointed in due course.
Phillips, who revealed he had two years left on his deal at Liverpool, said he has spoken to the loans manager and he will return to the club in the summer, when a decision on his future will be made.
“I’ve got two (years) actually at Liverpool,” he said of his contract. “There’s a lot of change going on at Liverpool so there’s a lot up in the air there. They’ve got a lot to sort out themselves.
“I’d certainly consider [a return to Cardiff]. I’ve enjoyed my time here, I’ve enjoyed playing regularly. I want to continue playing regular football and enjoying my football.
“Any time you move clubs, a lot is up in the air. I’ve done it a few times with loans, so I would say I’m more accustomed to it than some people are. I know how to do it. I know Cardiff now and I’ve done that.”
Phillips said an added factor in him considering a return to the Welsh capital is that his partner has enjoyed living in the city. But on the pitch, having the backing of manager Bulut has been huge for him.
“It’s been beneficial for me in that he’s taken a liking to me as a player,” he added. “I’ve played regularly so that’s played in my favour. Any time a player is moving they want to know who the coach is going to be and whether or not you’re going to be a player for them.”
He has two more games in a City shirt before he heads back up to Merseyside. Speaking about his plan for the summer, he said: “I had a brief conversation with the loan manager at Liverpool. There’s so much going on at the club. Football is a game of a lot of uncertainty generally anyway.
“You tend to find you make one plan and something else comes along. I’ve learnt throughout my career to just sit back and let things unfold because it doesn’t really matter how much you try and worry about it or influence it, a lot of things are out of your control.”
Bulut thinks that signing him on loan again next season would be unlikely. He said: “For a loan situation, it doesn’t look like that. It depends what Liverpool want. If they renew a contract with him or want to sell him, it would have to be clear between him and Liverpool and then, see how Cardiff go on with this situation.
“For sure, he will get offers and then Liverpool have to decide what they want.”
There is no doubt that the manager is a huge fan of the defender, though, having played him in every game for which he has been available.
“He is a big add,” Bulut added. “Especially with the defensive shape and organising the defence. Even Dimi Goutas next to him feels more comfortable and the full-backs.”