Phillips gets fresh challenge at West Ham ahead of anxious wait for England call
Kalvin Phillips is sweating on his place in the England squad for this month’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium following a difficult start to his time on loan at West Ham.
And Hammers boss David Moyes is calling on the midfielder to “get his head down and continue working” with his place in the national team ahead of the summer’s European Championships in doubt.
England boss Gareth Southgate will name his friendly squad at lunchtime today - four hours before Phillips and West Ham face Freiburg in a Europa League showdown. The 28-year-old, who has been loaned out by champions Manchester City, has endured a miserable time so far in east London.
He gifted Bournemouth a goal in the opening minute of his debut and has also been sent off in the Hammers’ defeat to Nottingham Forest last month. And he was hooked at half-time of Sunday’s draw against Premier League strugglers Burnley with West Ham two goals down.
Moyes said: “It wouldn't have mattered who I took off at the weekend. Whatever we did at the start, I could have taken off any one of the players we'd started that poorly.
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“Unfortunately Kalvin was one of the players we took off. He needs to get his head down and keep working. Things will turn for him, I've no doubt about that.”
He is expected to start on the bench against Freiburg tonight with compatriot James Ward-Prowse set to partner Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek in the middle.
Ward-Prowse has been overlooked by Southgate despite calls for a recall and Moyes added: “I don’t pick the England team but you’ll always be judged on your performances and how you play.
“There’s no doubt, whether you’re playing for West Ham or whoever, you have to play well to be selected for England. Hopefully there’s a chance they can both be selected.”
David Moyes said it is a culture shock for an English side to play a European home game at 5:45pm ahead of West Ham's meeting with Freiburg.Fellow midfielder Soucek said Phillips has been training well but pointed to his lack of match action in the previous 18 months at Manchester City as a reason for his rustiness.
The Czech said: "I see him every day. He plays in good form in the sessions but it is very difficult for him, because after maybe two years at Manchester City, for any player who doesn't play that often it's very difficult to play in the games.
"It's difficult for him but we all support him, we are with him. He's a hard worker, which I like. I like his style and wish him all the best for the future. He's an important player for us, and he's a very good player."
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