According to The Athletic, Kalvin Phillips has been omitted from the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, as Gareth Southgate finalizes his selection for the summer’s European Championships.
Phillips’ limited playing time at Manchester City before joining West Ham on loan in January raised doubts about his international future. However, his stint at West Ham has not gone as planned, resulting in more bench time than anticipated.
As a consequence, Phillips’ absence from the squad indicates uncertainty regarding his place in the Euro lineup.
Despite earning 31 caps for England, Kalvin Phillips has had limited game time this season, featuring in just 17 club matches, with only three starts in the Premier League out of 10 appearances.
His struggles at Manchester City, where he was criticized by manager Pep Guardiola for fitness issues and limited playing opportunities, saw him play only 89 minutes in league action during the first five months of the season.
Upon joining West Ham, Phillips debuted in February’s 1-1 draw against Bournemouth but showed signs of inconsistency, notably during Dominic Solanke’s goal.
Subsequently, he was omitted from the starting lineup for matches against Arsenal and Manchester United, returning briefly for the defeat against Nottingham Forest.
Despite a start against Burnley, where he was substituted at halftime with England manager Gareth Southgate in attendance, Phillips’ opportunities have been limited, raising doubts about his form and fitness heading into the Euros.
Despite playing a pivotal role in Gareth Southgate’s recent tenure, Kalvin Phillips’ transition to Manchester City in a £42 million move from Leeds United in 2022 hasn’t yielded the expected results.
Despite his prominence at the last European Championships in 2021, he has struggled for minutes, often sidelined for defenders in midfield when Rodri was unavailable.
His integration into David Moyes’ system at West Ham has been challenging, leaving his future uncertain as the season draws to a close. In contrast, Phillips’ club teammate, Jarrod Bowen, has earned a spot in the squad after an impressive season with West Ham.
Bowen faces stiff competition for a forward position from players like Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon. Meanwhile, Jack Grealish’s inclusion remains uncertain due to injury, further shaping the dynamics of the squad selection.
