Pundit makes ‘unbelievable’ Phillips claim after seeing Leeds ‘phenomenon’
Alan Hutton has claimed Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has shut a lot of people up with his “phenomenal” performance for England versus Croatia.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested supporters had doubts over the 25-year-old starting alongside Declan Rice in midfield on Sunday.
Phillips set up Raheem Sterling to score in the Three Lions’ 1-0 victory over Croatia.
Hutton admitted there may have been some fears Gareth Southgate had gone too defensive with his midfield pairing.
However, he insisted the rare sighting of Phillips in a more advanced role will have silenced doubters.
Hutton told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge: “He was phenomenal, wasn’t he? Absolutely outstanding.
“Probably a lot of people were sitting there thinking: ‘Ugh, Kalvin Phillips playing with Declan Rice, they’re too defensive. We don’t really need this, we want another attacker on the pitch.’
“But oh my goodness, he was unbelievable. He actually didn’t just play that defensive role. Declan Rice played there and he got forward. It’s something we don’t normally see but he’s obviously got that in his locker.
“He was driving forward, he was tenacious, he was breaking up play, assisting for the goal. He was everywhere and that’s probably the best performance I’ve seen him play. He’s an integral part now. For me, there’s no way he can be dropped.”
Phillips now has nine England caps under his belt.
Meanwhile, the boyhood Leeds fan has played 211 times for the Yorkshire giants.
England’s next game sees them face Scotland at Wembley on Friday.
In other news, Paddy Kenny claims Patrick Bamford will be thrilled as Leeds United plot new attacker signing.