Kalvin Phillips says one manager ‘influenced’ him to stay in England before West Ham loan

Redaction Simon Brett with Srinivas Sadhanand
Published on 2024-02-11 14:30:00

Kalvin Phillips recently revealed that he was considering going out on loan in January but was influenced by Gareth Southgate to stay in England. After discussing potential teams with Southgate, including Juventus and Newcastle, Phillips ultimately decided to take a temporary break from Manchester City and join West Ham United.

Despite having a challenging start at the London Stadium, with one start in three Premier League games and making mistakes that led to goals, Phillips has been welcomed with excitement by the team and fans alike. West Ham player Danny Ings praised Phillips’ experience, personality, and possession abilities, expressing his enthusiasm for the Manchester City loanee’s arrival.

Phillips credited Gareth Southgate’s advice for leading him to make the decision to move to West Ham. While Southgate did not instruct Phillips to stay in the Premier League, he emphasized the competitive nature of the league and suggested it would be beneficial for him. Phillips also acknowledged that staying in England would favor his chances of making the Euro 2024 squad, and joining West Ham on loan was the right choice to strengthen his position for selection.

By choosing to join West Ham, Phillips has positioned himself to potentially impress Southgate, who is known to attend matches in England and evaluate players for the national team. His decision to stay in England instead of opting for Juventus, despite the Italian club’s impressive performance in Serie A, demonstrates a focus on potential England call-ups and Euro 2024 selection.

Overall, the influence of Gareth Southgate played a crucial role in Phillips’ choice to remain in England and take up the opportunity to join West Ham on loan. This decision reflects his commitment to showcasing his abilities and vying for a place in the national team, especially in the lead-up to Euro 2024.

Read Original article on Manchester City News