Located outside the sprawling futsal arena at St George’s Park in August 2021, Kalvin Phillips held court.
With his legs crossed and his arms folded, the midfielder spoke rather awkwardly about his pride at being named England’s player of the season.
Spend time in Phillips’ company and it becomes abundantly clear that public speaking does not come naturally to him. Not in a rude way. His shyness and humility are quite endearing.
Those charming qualities were accentuated that afternoon; almost as if he was ashamed to accept the award, or that he didn’t deserve it.
That couldn’t be further from the truth; Phillips’ reckless performances alongside Declan Rice in the heart of England’s midfield at the postponed Euro 2020 captivated the nation.
Three years ago, shy and modest Kalvin Phillips was one of England’s most important players
He had shown he was the midfielder England craved and won the 2020/21 Player of the Year
He is enduring a nightmare at West Ham after joining the club to save his international career
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If anyone deserved this honor, it was him; the midfielder that English football has longed for.
Someone who is comfortable orchestrating the pace of a football match and who is able to break the boundaries with such a brutal incision that the opponents are left ragged and disorganized.
There’s a reason he’s called the Yorkshire Pirlo.
But you would never know. Polite and modest, Phillips is the man you would want as a son.
Thus the sight of Phillips giving the middle finger to a supporter despite loud criticism as he boarded the West Ham team bus after Saturday’s 4-3 defeat to Newcastle, a match his side were leading 3-1 when he was suggested as a substitution in the second half came as a shock.
Not because the gesture caused great offense, but because it was Phillips who made it.
“Completely out of character,” a source said Monday.
The straw broke the camels back. There are only so many setbacks a person can take, even one as laid-back as Phillips.
This would be a two-year spell that would consolidate Phillips’ position as one of the best central midfielders in European football.
Instead, it was a period that destroyed him. He recovered on Saturday.
Injury and fitness problems dogged his dream move from Leeds to Manchester City in the summer of 2022. He made two Premier League starts in 18 months after joining for £45 million, although he did finish the season with three winners’ medals.
Pep Guardiola had spoken out about his concerns about Phillips, an issue that came to a head after the 2022 World Cup when the City boss accused him of being overweight after a 10-day rest period he allowed his players after the tournament.
But even at the height of his troubles at City, Phillips always knew he had England’s security blanket.
Polite and modest, the news of Phillips wagging his finger at supporters came as a shock
There are only so many setbacks a person can take, even one as laid-back as Phillips
After Pep Guardiola (right) moved to Man City for £45 million, he had raised his concerns
Phillips always had England’s security blanket until he lost his place in the last international break
Gareth Southgate continued to pick Phillips despite his lack of minutes; his reasoning was that playing regularly for Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and more recently Mateo Kovacic would be a monumental achievement.
But now even Southgate, who is fiercely loyal, cannot justify Phillips’ international inclusion – the England boss dropped the midfielder for the recent games against Brazil and Belgium.
It was hoped that Phillips’ move to West Ham would – at the very least – secure his place in the squad for Euro 2024.
Had it been a success, Phillips might have played his way back into the England starting XI in time for the tournament.
It is no exaggeration to say that, as things stand, he was closer to the England team on City’s bench than he is now.
But it’s not because I didn’t want to try. Phillips has immersed himself in London life.
He has retained his northern base but lives in Stratford, east London – a short drive from the London Stadium and the club’s Rush Green training facility.
His long-term partner Ashleigh and four-month-old baby moved south with him to help him settle.
In training he is said to have remained as approachable and friendly as he ever was, despite his career stalling so alarmingly.
He focuses on training and gradually works towards greater fitness.
But at the same time it is recognized that his performances since his arrival in January have not been at the required level.
He’s in trouble and there are no signs that the trouble will subside anytime soon.
Fitness remains an issue. His general fitness is said to be good, but he is noticeably lacking in match sharpness, which is understandable given his lack of playing time under Guardiola.
But it’s not like West Ham or David Moyes didn’t know what they were getting into.
Mail Sport knows of clubs that walked away from a loan deal for the midfielder during the winter period for fear of cost efficiency.
There was a feeling that Phillips would need around two months of regular first-team football to regain full match fitness after his largely dormant spell at the Etihad.
Fitness remains an issue, but the midfielder is committed to training and working towards better levels
Mail Sport knows of clubs that walked away from potential deals due to fears about cost efficiency
It’s not like West Ham didn’t know what they were getting into with the signing
With a loan figure of £6 million quoted and a requirement to meet his wages of £140,000 per week, there was a feeling that the cost was too high as they might only keep Phillips in peak condition in the final weeks of the campaign would see.
“It wasn’t the kind of deal that would move your club four places in the league,” said a Premier League sporting director.
Needless to say, unless Phillips somehow turns his season around, West Ham will send him back to City this summer without striking a deal to sign him permanently.
For the time being, injuries in West Ham’s midfield seem to be the only way for Phillips to reach the starting line-up regularly.
At West Ham it is recognized that Phillips needs games. But how can you offer a platform to a player who is so out of shape?
It’s a catch-22 scenario that Moyes is trying to find an answer to.
Phillips is such a likeable man that Moyes will want to do his best for his midfielder as he tries to secure an England recall.
But the head coach, himself under pressure from sections of the Hammers support base, knows his desire to help Phillips can only go so far.
Moyes’ dilemma will again become Guardiola’s dilemma next season. There are indications that City will put Phillips up for permanent sale this summer.
A well-placed source has told Mail Sport that the Treble winners are looking to recoup £30million for Phillips.
Eighteen months ago, signing Phillips for £30 million would have been one of the deals of the century.
We will know soon enough whether that is still the case.
Indeed, there is reluctance from at least one of Phillips’ Premier League suitors over concerns the price does not represent good value.
Talks about a possible move to Leeds are increasing. There are many who believe the transfer has potential if the Elland Road side can secure promotion to the Premier League.
But even then, £30 million for a newly promoted side represents a major financial outlay.
Talks of a return to Leeds are increasing as the Whites return to the Premier League
A well-placed source has told Mail Sport that City are looking to recoup £30m from a sale
A return to his spiritual home may be just what Phillips needs. He’s revered by the fanbase – and sometimes all you need is love.
There was a time when English football had fallen head and shoulders for Phillips. That seems like a long time ago now.
But they say the comeback is always greater than the setback. Let’s hope that’s the case.
