West Ham United: Danny Murphy names which first-team star David Moyes will axe for Kalvin Phillips at the London Stadium
Danny Murphy believes Kalvin Phillips will replace Tomas Soucek in the West Ham starting line-up if he completes his January loan from Manchester City.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Wednesday (24 January), the pundit said the England international needs a platform to play regular football as he suggested the proposed switch to the Hammers could be a “good move” for the 28-year-old as he looks to nail down a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the upcoming European Championships.
He added that summer signing Edson Alvarez has been “sensational” this season, but he doesn’t believe David Moyes and the Irons’ hierarchy would be looking to sign Phillips if he wasn’t going to play, meaning Czech international Soucek could be the likely candidate to warm the bench at the London Stadium.
“He’s a talented lad, who needs a platform to play, he’s got an England squad to try and get into and I think this could be a good move for him,” said Murphy.
“But when you look at the midfield West Ham have got, I know they’re still in two competitions and there’s going to be quite a few games, but Alvarez has been sensational since he’s come in.
“I know he’s got a little calf injury at the moment, but he plays in the holding role and you’ve got Ward-Prowse and Soucek, sometimes Paqueta plays in there, so there’s competition for places.
“My feeling is, Moyes and the club wouldn’t go out on a limb, put the money in if they weren’t going to play him. I think he’ll take Soucek’s place.”
Unfortunate
If it is Soucek that does drop out for Phillips then he would be extremely unfortunate after his performances over the past few months have been excellent.
The 28-year-old had a slightly shaky start to the campaign without Declan Rice alongside him, but he then went on to build up a solid partnership with Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse.
While Phillips is going to come in and potentially upset that dynamic a little bit, Moyes is the type of manager who likes players to earn their place, so he might not be thrown straight into the mix.
There is no doubt that we’re one body short in the midfield, though, so over the course of the next few months, there should still be an opportunity for all four of them to play plenty of football.
Those players already at the club should be relishing the opportunity to fight for their place against an England international as healthy competition for places is always good.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are set to announce a new behind-the-scenes appointment.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.