West Ham United: Paul Merson makes ‘shocked’ Kalvin Phillips claim, Euro 2024 winner predicted
West Ham United loanee Kalvin Phillips not making the next England squad would be a shock for Paul Merson.
The Sky Sports pundit does, however, believe the Hammers midfielder has a problem in that he is constantly being substituted at club level.
Merson believes this puts Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate under pressure, with the pundit adding that he believes England will win Euro 2024 this summer.
“Ahead of Thursday’s squad announcement, I think Gareth Southgate has a lot of trust in his players, he doesn’t want too much change,” Merson wrote for Sky Sports. “In terms of the squad, it’s harder to get out, than to get in. I don’t think there’ll be any surprises.
“Kalvin Phillips hasn’t played too much football but always gets in. The problem is now he keeps playing football and keeps getting subbed – that puts Southgate under pressure. But I’d be shocked if he and Jordan Henderson aren’t in.
“It’s not the time nor place to put youngsters in the squad. I like Kobbie Mainoo, he’s played well at a massive football club but I can’t see him getting in front of Phillips or Henderson. Go and play for the U21s and get some experience.”
Will West Ham loanee Kalvin Phillips make the England squad?
It has been a simply bizarre time in the career of Phillips, who joined West Ham on loan in January from Manchester City.
Having shone at Leeds United for some time, the midfield ace earned a move to the Etihad, but that transfer definitely hasn’t worked out for the player or the club.
Hammers manager David Moyes then decided to give Phillips a chance to reignite his career at the London Stadium, but it is a move that once again has somewhat backfired.
The Scot has given Phillips a chance in midfield, but the player has underwhelmed, and has even made some costly errors in claret and blue.
Amid all those struggles on the pitch, however, Three Lions boss Southgate has continued to select Phillips at international level.
Whether he makes the next squad remains to be seen, with England set to meet Brazil and Belgium in friendly clashes later this month.
In other West Ham news, a Sky Sports journalist has made an international prediction on one London Stadium star ahead of the international break.
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