There can’t be many more players who have improved their reputation as dramatically in the eyes of English fans in 90 minutes as Kalvin Phillips.
When news of Gareth Southgate’s starting XI leaked ahead of England’s Euro 2020 opening match against Croatia on Sunday, there were many seemingly dubious selections with fans spitting feathers.
Raheem Sterling at the start of the game, a right-back as a left-back, no Jack Grealish, Tyrone Mings as a center-back, Jadon Sancho not even on the bench and of course Leeds United maestro Phillips, who starts in a conservative-looking midfield alongside Declan Rice and Mason Mount.
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With the amount of fresh, exciting players remaining from the team, fans were understandably excited, but everyone had to eat their words as Southgate was right about every single choice.
Trippier and Mings formed a watertight defensive line, Sterling scored the decisive goal and Phillips performed brilliantly, winning the man of the game and making a succinct pass to the winner.
There was no doubt that Phillips was a very good player, he is perhaps the most important cog in Marcelo Bielsa’s team at Leeds, which comfortably finished in the top 10 in their first season in the Premier League. Leeds’ win rate last season without the 25-year-old was just 22.2 percent, compared to 55.2 percent with him on the team.
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
For Leeds, however, Phillips is usually the only fixed point in an otherwise fluid team, he is the one who anchors the midfield and makes the Yorkshire club’s offensive talent shine. A performance in which he played so high, pushed so aggressively and was so relaxed on the ball took most people by surprise.
He certainly impressed Manchester United fans, many of whom demanded his signature immediately as his coming-of-age performance unfolded at Wembley.
But Phillips wasn’t the only formidable midfielder in the game.
United are looking to make a number of key signings this summer and are hoping for a defensive midfielder alongside a center-back, right-back and right winger to add stability to the team.
The club’s current top target is and should remain Declan Rice.
Declan Rice in action against Croatia
(Image: Shaun Botterill – UEFA / UEFA via Getty Images)
Which midfielder should United sign this summer? Let us know in the comments below
The West Ham United man didn’t make the headlines or praise like Phillips did, but he did an equally important performance as the team’s dedicated midfielder. Rice was the linchpin at the grassroots as Phillips and Mount led the press, and between them they left Croatia’s seasoned midfield of Champions League winners nervous and ineffectual.
Phillips may have caught the eye, but Rice was the backbone, a humble feat that shows he did his job expertly – shielding the center-backs, cleaning up loose balls and launching attacks. It’s exactly what United needs.
Even if Phillips has proven to be more than capable in the holding role and would be a very decent, cheaper alternative, it was further up where all his talent spectrum shone.
With Scott McTominay and Fred as box-to-box midfielders eager to hit the ball high up, United are very well positioned in this position – not to mention Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Donny van de Beek and Juan Mata.
What United needs this summer is a dedicated defensive midfielder who adds real steel to the team and allows their offensive talents the freedom to perform.
Reis remains the man for the job.
