West Ham United: Gareth Southgate to make call as ‘greedy’ Kalvin Phillips verdict shared
Frank McAvennie has insisted Kalvin Phillips has no chance of making the England squad for the European Championships as he can’t even get a game for West Ham.
The former West Ham man questioned Gareth Southgate for calling up the likes of Phillips, Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson despite their club situations.
He also praised Thomas Soucek for stepping up since Phillips’ arrival thanks to the added competition, which has been part of the reason for his exclusion from the first team.
McAvennie – speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone – labelled Phillips “greedy” for moving to Manchester City, and insisted England do not need him thanks to Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
“He can’t get in the West Ham team so what chance has he got of getting in the England squad? I just don’t know, I don’t know what’s happening with Phillips,” McAvennie admitted.
“I always say I would like him in the middle just holding, but he’s made a few mistakes. He’s not even anywhere near the team.
“It’s funny how since Phillips has come in Soucek has stepped up to the mark because he was terrible, and then Phillips came in and he’s stepped up, scoring goals and starting to look like the player we got at the beginning. It’s a wonderful thing.
“Phillips, I don’t know why we got him. He’s not going to play. It’s a shame for the boy but that’s what you get for being greedy and going to Manchester City. I don’t know why he went there. Rodri is the heartbeat there.
“To be an international, especially with England, you’ve got to play every week. I don’t get Southgate bringing Harry Maguire in, playing Phillips and Henderson, my god. Since England have got Bellingham, there’s no need [for Phillips]. Rice has been brilliant.“
Could Kalvin Phillips still make England’s Euros squad?
Since moving on loan to the London Stadium in the January transfer window, Phillips’ performances have drawn plenty of criticism after a slow start where he made several key errors and was sent off in the clash against Nottingham Forest.
Southgate’s decision to leave him out of the latest England squad had been expected and was always on the cards given the standard of his performances compared to others contending for the position, but will still have come as a blow.
However, as McAvennie shared, when he has not been playing for his club, and when he does he’s poor, what chance does the midfielder have at being called to represent his country?
Phillips has long been considered a favourite of Southgate’s, but with just months between now and the upcoming European Championships, he will be forced to make his final decision unless Phillips shows a drastic improvement in his performances for West Ham.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers want to sign a 20-year-old defender.
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