Frank Lampard & Rio Ferdinand deliver verdict on Kalvin Phillips’ England display

Follow us on Google Discover

Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand praised Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, live on BBC One on Sunday afternoon as England beat Croatia 1-0 in their Euro 2020 opener.

The former Chelsea boss claimed that Southgate was ‘brave’ in selecting the Leeds academy product from the get-go, whilst Ferdinand thought he was ‘dangerous’ in the first half before his assist for the only goal of the game in the second.

Many were left surprised with Southgate’s starting XI before the game, with Leeds’ defensive rock getting the nod, alongside Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier starting at left-back.

But the Leeds man was outstanding in winning the ball back, pressing without the ball like he was in a Leeds shirt and then providing an outstanding assist for Raheem Sterling’s opening goal.

This is what Lampard and Ferdinand had to say about the Leeds man.

“I think Phillips in midfield (has caught my eye),” said Lampard. “I think the energy and the few clips we saw there.

“I think it was a brave selection from Gareth in midfield. He has slightly tweaked it and played Rice deeper. Phillips on the right and Mason on the left. And that then gives them the chance ‘okay, you can jump’. And you know you have the security of Rice sitting behind you.

“I don’t think many expected Phillips to play as advanced as he did – probably Man of the Match.”

Ferdinand added: “It was a fantastic (assist). We spoke would he play alongside Rice? No, Gareth gave him licence to run forward. I love midfield players making runs into dangerous areas and dragging people across, the timing of the pass (from Phillips) and the timing of the run (Sterling).”

Previously, when Southgate has selected Phillips and Rice together, it’s been with a back five and a two-man midfield… and it hasn’t worked.

But with that extra man in midfield being Mason Mount, it allowed Phillips to be a bit freer and unleash those attacking displays he used to showcase during his early years at Elland Road.

The aptly dubbed ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ was more box-to-box, with West Ham’s Rice playing the much deeper role and allowing those ahead of him to express themselves.

Either way, Phillips’ first major tournament has started off in an outstanding fashion and that’s him straight into the starting XI for the Scotland game.