Raheem Sterling said to the BBC that Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips’ played brilliantly for England yesterday.
Sterling scored the only goal of the game as England beat Croatia 1-0 and was awarded the Man of the Match award.
However, many observers felt that the Leeds man was actually England’s best player.
Phillips was a constant threat in midfield and set up Sterling’s goal with a perfectly weighted pass.
And Sterling himself was very impressed by the Leeds midfielder’s influence on the game.
“Brilliant,” Sterling said, when asked to describe Kalvin Phillips’ display yesterday.
“He kept driving with the ball and a lovely bit of skill to come inside and a lovely weighted pass,” he added on the assist.
Phillips was actually played in a more advanced role than he often plays for both England and Leeds and showed there is more to his game than just defending.
On the right-hand side on England’s midfield three, Phillips actually showed a real ability to take the ball on the half turn and create for his teammates.
Phillips’ assured display is likely to mean that he keeps his place in Gareth Southgate’s side’s second match, which comes against Scotland on Friday evening.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
