Matthew Chadder

Sun 16 July 2023 21:10, UK

talkSPORT host Tony Cascarino has told West Ham to sign “terrific” Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips to replace Declan Rice.

The former Chelsea striker told the radio station (16 July, 07:25am) that West Ham should make a move the England midfielder now Rice has completed his £105million move to Arsenal.

Cascarino believes the former Leeds ace will struggle to get into City’s midfield next season and has urged the East London club to make a move for the 27-year-old.

Cascarino told talkSPORT in quotes reported by the Boot Room (16 July): “When I watched Kalvin Phillips sort of 18 months ago, I thought he was a terrific player.

“It hasn’t worked, could they snatch him away from Man City? Because he needs to play, he needs to get back to playing again. He’s gone from being an England regular to out of the side.

“He’s not getting in front of Rodri, John Stones is playing in midfield, so I just don’t see him getting game time.”

Smart

It is hard to disagree with Cascarino. After a brilliant season in which Manchester City claimed the treble, it is difficult to see Phillips replacing any of his teammates in midfield next year.

John Stones had arguably the season of his career and has revolutionised his game while Rodri scored the winner in the Champions League final after another near-flawless season and will not be dropped anytime soon.

Phillips might get minutes here and there but with Euro 2024 coming up next summer he will want to be playing regularly. At West Ham, this is something he could do.

It is easy to forget just how brilliant Phillips can be after a season where he hardly featured. He was fantastic for Leeds before his switch to The Ethiad and has often performed well for England.

If he could get back up to those levels when playing consistently then it would be a great bit of business for West Ham who could certainly do a lot worse in their hunt to replace Rice.

In other West Ham news, a new contract has been agreed at the club.