England boss Gareth Southgate finds new undroppable in Kalvin Phillips after Croatia win
His inclusion certainly raised eyebrows but by half-time of England’s Euro 2020 opener with Croatia, Kalvin Phillips was comfortably the best player on the park. It’s easy to see why supporters may have felt aggrieved by certain elements of Gareth Southgate’s team selection but it’s easy to see why the Leeds defensive midfielder could be his new go-to guy.
He’s not flash and won’t beat four players but Phillips’ strengths really compliment the international game and England’s current tactical setup.
The partnership with Rice may be deemed negative but the assurance they give England in the middle of the park allows the attackers to do the damage going forward.
Yet Phillips wasn’t out there to sit in front of the back four. He was given the freedom of Wembley. An opportunity he grasped with both hands.
He rattled into challenges and was first to every ball as the Croatian midfield were shrugged aside.
Dominik Livakovic was tested by two rasping drives from the midfield maestro, who was keen to show there is far more to his game than tackling and sidewards passing.
