Paul Ince has labelled Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips as a ‘very, very special player’ when talking about England’s midfield.
At Euro 2020, Phillips was one of the stars of the show for his country, as he helped the Three Lions reach the final of Euro 2020.
Even though the Leeds academy product was playing his first-ever major tournament and had just completed his first season in England’s top flight, he produced performances Steven Gerrard would have been proud of.
It was Declan Rice who played alongside Phillips in the more defensive role in the middle of the park, with Dortmund teenager, Jude Bellingham, one of a number of back-ups.
Nonetheless, when talking about the future of England’s midfield, Ince, who ran the show in that department for many years during his playing days, dropped Phillips’ name into the hat as a ‘very, very special’ player, as he told Sky Sports Football.
“For the future him (Bellingham), Rice and Phillips,” said Ince. “Wow. We have some very, very special players.”
Phillips missed out on Gareth Southgate’s recent squad because of injury, which would have been a blow to the player.
But, the hard-hitting player is back in training with the Whites and hoping to help his boyhood club survive relegation.
If the 2022 World Cup was in the summer, then Phillips would have found it difficult to get back to his best form and rhythm in time for the summer tournament.
But instead, the world’s biggest tournament kicks off in November because the powers that be in football no longer give two hoots about fans, the simple reason? The money comes first, second and third.
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