Leeds United and West Ham United fans seem to have regular arguments over Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice – even after playing together over the summer.
For a long time now, fans have been debating who is the better holding midfielder – Phillips or Rice?
Tonight, England have gone with Rice as a lone holding midfielder with Phillips having withdrawn from the squad last month.
We will now see whether England really can play with a more expansive midfield.
Phil Foden and Mason Mount offer more going forward, taking England away from the comfort of their two-man holding midfield.
Pundit Chris Sutton has now offered his take on England’s midfield, stating a fairly honest take on both Phillips and Rice.
Sutton has told the Daily Mail that he thinks it’s ‘fair to say’ that neither Rice nor Phillips were good enough on the ball at Euro 2020.
Sutton believes neither player manager to play direct enough on the ball and were ‘too safe’, believing it’s now time for Foden to play in a deeper role.
“Rice and Phillips would win the ball but I think it’s fair to say they weren’t the best with it,” said Sutton. “There was a lack of direct supply line into the forwards. The possession felt a little safe. Harry Kane would drop deep to play the more daring passes, which wasn’t ideal,” he added.
In some games, maybe playing two holding midfielders won’t be necessary.
At times though, Gareth Southgate may well need both Phillips and Rice to protect his back four.
Rice is certainly improving in terms of carrying the ball forward and even getting on the scoresheet, and neither play should just be limited to being water carriers in front of the England defence.
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