Many England internationals are hoping to get on the plane to the upcoming European Championships, which will be held in Germany in the summer of 2024.
However, some players’ eligibility is in doubt due to a dearth of first-team appearances.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United and Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City are two of the main offenders for the lack of playing time issue and still being chosen for the England squad.
Maguire narrowly missed a move to West Ham United near the end of the transfer window, and it appears that Phillips, despite links with Bayern Munich and Liverpool in the summer, may be about to end his lack of playing time at Manchester City with a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal.
Kalvin Phillips requires game time following Leeds United’s victory.
The former Leeds United player became a member of the England team while competing in the Championship, and after having a breakthrough season for both his club and country, he was transferred to Manchester City. However, the decision clearly did not work out, and Pep Guardiola recently claimed that he had not been able to bring the best out of the 27-year-old.
According to reports, Phillips is now wanted by the Gunners. Mike Arteta, who played as Guardiola’s number two, will be hoping he can bring Phillips back to life and get him playing like he did at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa.
In Arteta’s system, Phillips would frequently play.
collaborating with Declan Rice.
Although Rice was already acquired by Arsenal in the summer for a hefty transfer fee, Arteta may desire a little more grit to allow Martin Odegaard to freely occupy the space behind the striker.
Over the years, Rice and Kalvin Phillips have teamed up for England.
They were a highly effective team during the European Championships in 2020 (which were actually played in 2021).
Despite not playing frequently for City, Phillips has continued to be selected for Gareth Southgate’s England squads.
However, Southgate has warned players like Phillips that they will find it difficult to be selected solely on the basis of merit, making a move to Arsenal increasingly likely.
This would please Southgate, who might see his two England central midfielders team up every week.
Calm in Character
Kalvin Phillips has a good track record with discipline despite his grit and tenacity.
He hasn’t been sent off while representing Leeds United in the Championship since 2020, and even before that, he had only been warned twice.
He is more than just a tackler and has excellent ball control.
Given that Granit Xhaka left the team, Phillips could easily fill his place and play more frequently than Xhaka, who had a dismal disciplinary record.
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