Kalvin Phillips should not have moved to Manchester City.
That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who believes the on-loan midfielder’s decision to leave Leeds United and join Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens in 2022 is the reason for his recent international setback.
Snubbed ahead of England’s two upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, Phillips, 28, now faces a mountain to climb if he is to make Gareth Southgate’s final squad for this summer’s European Championship.
Joining West Ham at the start of the year in the hope of securing more regular minutes, the 28-year-old, who has been limited to just two Premier League starts since joining Man City, has endured another tough spell under David Moyes.
No surprises Kalvin Phillips left out of England squad
Failing to recapture some of his best form and even struggling with his discipline after being shown a red card against Nottingham Forest last month, the former Leeds starlet is a shadow of his former self.
“I don’t think anyone is really surprised the 28-year-old hasn’t been included,” Collymore said in an exclusive interview.
“His form has dropped off a cliff since he joined West Ham at the start of the year. He’s had an absolute nightmare.
“[…] He has a token treble but there is no way he’s getting back into that England squad in time for the Euros in the summer, so was it really worth it?
“What would he rather have? — A treble of winners’ medals that he didn’t really contribute toward, or the chance to represent England, and potentially win the country’s first piece of major international silverware since 1966?”
Do you agree with Collymore? — Would Phillips trade his treble-winning medals in for the chance to play for England at this summer’s Euros? — Let us know what you think in the comments below.