Jamie O’Hara has questioned Gareth Southgate’s use of Kalvin Phillips, telling talkSPORT (29 April, 9am) he hates seeing the Leeds United star feature alongside Declan Rice in England’s engine room.
Now, this is no disrespect to Phillips, one of the most naturally gifted midfielders in the Premier League, a man who kept the usually irrepressible Bruno Fernandes at arms’ length last weekend.
But, for all of Phillips’ undoubted qualities, is he really needed in England’s starting XI?
O’Hara, the former Tottenham ace, thinks Southgate would be better served releasing the handbrake rather than field the Yorkshire-born 25-year-old and the similarly deep-lying Declan Rice at the heart of his team.
“Who knows what Gareth’s doing? He plays Kalvin Phillips!” O’Hara quipped before rowing back ever so slightly.
“I was disrespectful, I apologise. Kalvin Phillips is a top player. For England, I just don’t like playing two holding midfielders. I hate it when I see Rice and Phillips.
“Play one of them, fair enough.”
With UEFA confirming all teams competing in this summer’s European Championships will be permitted to pick a 26-strong roster, it seems Phillips is guaranteed a place in Southgate’s squad – especially if Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is still on the sidelines.
Leeds’ peerless playmaker has earned seven caps already since making his international bow late last year.
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