Ex-Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn has told The Scarborough News’ podcast that he thinks Kalvin Phillips is actually far better than West Ham United’s Declan Rice.
Redfearn was fielding questions from fans, and one unsurprisingly surrounded Phillips.
The midfielder came through the Leeds setup under Redfearn, and then made his first-team debut under him too.
Phillips has since become one of top midfielders in the country, developing massively under Marcelo Bielsa.
Now an impressive holding midfielder who combines a combative nature with great passing ability, Phillips is being tipped for stardom.
England have struggling in midfield in recent times, and Phillips could be an option. He’s 24 now and still has his prime to come, but may need Premier League football.
That should come next season, and Redfearn now believes that Phillips should be in the England setup anyway – arguably ahead of Declan Rice.
Rice has been linked with a £70million move to Chelsea, but Redfearn thinks he ‘isn’t in the same ilk’ as Phillips, even suggesting that it’s only Premier League football that gets him in the England squad ahead of Phillips.
“If you look at the midfield players that he’s up against, like people like Declan Rice… I’m not saying that he’s a bad young player, but to me, he’s not in the same ilk as Kalvin,” said Redfearn. “I don’t think there’s any comparison to be honest with you. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s playing in the Premier League with West Ham that gets him in,” he added.
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