Liam Delap makes major Kalvin Phillips claim amid rumours of Leeds United return

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Four years ago, Gareth Southgate’s England went head-to-head with Italy in the European Championship final with a midfield duo made up of players from West Ham and Leeds United.

From 2021 to 2025, however, it’s fair to say the careers of the one-time Three Lions teammates have moved in very different directions.

Declan Rice’s first and so far only piece of silverware remains the Europa Conference League winners’ medal he secured while captaining West Ham to a victory over Fiorentina. Yet, since becoming England’s most expensive ever player at £105 million, while Rice’s wait for a Premier League title goes on, the Arsenal dynamo is well-and-truly established these days a world-leader in his position.

In the meantime, reports suggesting Kalvin Phillips could return to Leeds this summer even if Daniel Farke’s side fail to secure promotion is an indication as to the very different direction Manchester City’s forgotten man has taken.

Reportedly, Leeds United have ensured there is a verbal agreement in place with the Ipswich Town loanee. As Thomas Tuchel prepares to take charge of the Three Lions for the very first time, Kalvin Phillips feels about as far away from a call-up these days as a 59-year-old Carlton Palmer.

Leeds United icon Kalvin Phillips sees England influence recognised

At the risk of going all ‘streets will never forget’ on Phillips, though, there is at least one man in Premier League who remembers how the Leeds icon burned so brightly if so briefly in the national team colours.

Ipswich teammate Liam Delap – the powerhouse of a centre-forward who may soon be earning a first senior cap of his own – was asked to pick ‘the most underrated ever England’ player by The England Pod.

Delap only needed to look within the walls of Ipswich’s own dressing room to select his answer.

‘Kalvin Phillips’.

It should not be forgotten that, while the disastrous £42 million move to Manchester City has done potentially irreparable damage to Phillips’ reputation, this was a footballer named England’s Player of the Year as recently as 2021.

Though the two players who finished alongside him on the podium provide another stern reminder of just how fickle and fast-moving football can be.

In third came Raheem Sterling. The man who ended England’s long wait for a tournament victory over Germany, and now cannot buy a start for Rice’s Arsenal.

Taking home silver, the man currently going head-to-head with Memphis Depay and Michael Owen as one of the most underwhelming number sevens in Manchester United’s history; The injury-hit, seldom-seen Mason Mount.

Loan deal most likely for Manchester City misfit’s Elland Road return

At this stage, Kalvin Phillips may need Leeds United more so than Leeds United need Kalvin Phillips.

The expected departure of Joshua Guilavogui will free up Phillips’ favoured number 23 shirt at Elland Road.

And, amid claims that Man City are holding out for a gag-inducing £20 million, Leeds United News have been informed that the Leeds-born midfielder could return to Elland Road on loan instead.

“I firmly believe Phillips will return to Leeds,” football correspondent Graeme Bailey explains. “A loan deal would be appealing to them and fit in with their budget, whether that was Premier League or Championship.

“I fully expect Leeds to get promoted but, even if they didn’t, I believe he will be at Elland Road next season.”