Gary Neville shares ‘fish out of water’ Kalvin Phillips transfer verdict amid West Ham United January update
Gary Neville has offered his verdict on Kalvin Phillips’ loan switch to West Ham United, admitting that the England international will fit in at the London Stadium “no problem”.
The 28-year-old and Manchester City have reportedly agreed to a deal which will see him join David Moyes’ squad for the second half of the season and the Irons will have the option to make the deal permanent come the end of the season [Fabrizio Romano, 23 January].
Phillips has been little more than a bit part player during his time at the Etihad Stadium, but Neville believes that this is the perfect move for all parties and expects the midfielder to impress under David Moyes.
Speaking to Sky Sports Premier League (23 January) he said: “He needs to play football that’s for sure. He’s a major England player, somebody who we thought would do well at Manchester City. You normally think that City don’t make mistakes in the transfer market.
“It’s just not worked out for him there, obviously they’ve got fantastic options in midfield but West Ham losing Declan Rice, I think it’s a good move for West Ham, it’s a good move for Kalvin Phillips. I hope he can stay fit and get a lot of football in before the Euros in the summer.
“We know he’ll play in midfield alongside so Soucek, he’ll play in that two I imagine. He’ll have Soucek in there to go forward and he sits in there, he’s a good passer and has good experience.
“Manchester City is a unique football team and if you’re just not quite as sharp on the ball as those around you, you can look a little bit like a fish out of water.
“But when he goes into West Ham he’ll fit in there no problem. He’s a really good player and a good solid David Moyes type to have on the pitch. This could work well for all parties.”
Moyes type
Another new midfielder won’t have been too high up on most West Ham supporters’ shopping lists this month, but Phillips has the ability to be a real difference-maker at the London Stadium between now and the end of the season.
The 28-year-old was a huge part of Leeds United’s initial success under Marcelo Bielsa both in the Championship and Premier League while also playing a huge role in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final.
Should he rediscover that form under Moyes, he could become one of the signings of the January transfer window, West Ham just now have to hope that he manages to hit the ground running.
Hopefully, the remainder of the deal will go off without a hitch and Phillips will be able to match the expectations of both Neville and the Hammers fanbase between now and the end of the campaign.
In other West Ham news, Jacob Steinberg has shared an update on how FFP could play a part in Phillips’ deal
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