Kevin Nolan has shared what Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice told him about Kalvin Phillips before David Moyes’s West Ham United signed him in the January transfer window.
The West Ham coach has also praised Phillips and has given an insight into what working him with is like.
So, what has Kevin Nolan said about Kalvin Phillips? Let’s take a look.
What Declan Rice told West Ham United about Kalvin Phillips
Well, West Ham United signed Kalvin Phillips from Premier League rivals Manchester City in the January transfer window.
The Hammers secured the services of the England international midfielder on a loan deal.
According to talkSPORT, Juventus, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace were also keen on Phillips, but it was West Ham who got the deal done.
West Ham coach Kevin Nolan has now shared what Declan Rice told him about Phillips before the loan deal.
Nolan has also outlined how the former Leeds United midfielder is doing at the Hammers.
England international midfielder Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham in the summer of 2023.
Rice plays with Phillips for the England national football team.
Nolan told talkSPORT: “No, I didn’t know him before he got here but obviously we heard really good things about him from Dec[lan Rice].
“Obviously, me being close with Dec and working well with him for a few years, he texted me a couple of times just saying: ‘Look after Kalv, he is a great lad, you’ll enjoy working with him’.
“And I have. I have thoroughly enjoyed the first week or so, two weeks, now that he’s been with us. Yeah, gaffer said it, you have got to give him time.
“We were just speaking off-air with Andy, when you haven’t been playing, when you haven’t had that week in, week out, and you come in and sometimes it takes that little bit of time.
“He is trying to get to know us, us as a unit and what we want because we are going to be totally different to what Manchester City are.”
My View: Kalvin Phillips would flourish at West Ham United
In my opinion, Kalvin Phillips is a very good signing for West Ham United and would flourish at the Hammers.
Although Phillips has not made the best of starts for the Hammers, he is one of the best English players around and is at the top of his game at the age of 28.
Once the England international midfielder gets into full match fitness, then he will be an asset for the Hammers.
Phillips has made 67 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. He has scored one goal and provided three assists in those games.
“So he is just finding his feet and I’m sure as soon as he does he is going to be an absolutely tremendous signing for us from now until the end of the season.
“I am really looking forward to it and to be honest, I can’t knock him, he is a great kid, he wants to work hard. You could see he was really upset after the weekend.”
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